Strategic Priorities of the American Medical Student Association
For more than half a century, AMSA has represented the voice of physicians-in-training in their efforts to best serve the public. In 2007, AMSA leaders selected the following four strategic priorities to focus the activism of its membership. AMSA is dedicated to allocating time, energy and resources toward fulfilling our goals within these priorities.
AMSA mobilizes students in advocating for quality, affordable health care for all. AMSA works through state and national coalitions to improve existing public programs and to advocate for a public national health insurance program.
This encompasses the issues of wellness, safety, opportunity and environment that make up a healthy society. It also highlights the interconnected nature of all people and our responsibility for rational and proportional assistance for all people, regardless of the country in which they live. Justice and equity are paramount to assuring that race, religion, income, gender, sexual preference or nationality are not factors limiting access to quality care.
As the world becomes more integrated and mobile, the need for a health care workforce to reflect our society grows more acute. AMSA’s independence was fueled by the civil rights era and continues today in advocacy for culturally-appropriate care, underrepresented providers in medicine, and admission criteria that do not disadvantage those from different backgrounds.
Physicians have long had a sacred social mission and AMSA seeks to help create physicians who uphold their duties to patients and society alike. An important aspect of professionalism, however, entails self-care, and we are dedicated to helping physicians-in-training through undergraduate, medical and residency training while maintaining balance and retaining commitment to personal and professional growth.