AMSA'S 57th Annual Convention

Health Care Justice:
Pursuing the Dream of a Healthy Society

March 7-11, 2007
Arlington, VA / Washington, DC
Hyatt Regency Crystal City

AMSA's 57th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., was the largest-ever AMSA Convention. More than 1600 attendees enjoyed the Convention and pre-Convention programming, which included inspiring keynote addresses, an energizing rally and lobby day session and educational workshops and panel discussions.

Wednesday, March 7
The Convention began with an all-day Kickoff Symposium on Health Disparities across the Globe.

A National Candlelight Vigil was held at the Capitol on Wednesday night to represent the Silent Voices of Everyone Left Behind by the Broken Health Care System.

Thursday, March 8
Attendees heard keynote addresses from Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., FACOFP, the Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology and H. Jack Geiger, M.D., M.Sci.Hyg., Sc.D. (Hon), the Arthur C. Logan Professor Emeritus of Community Medicine at the City University of New York Medical School. The National Primary Care Week Award was presented to the Medical University of South Carolina.

On Thursday afternoon, AMSA members gathered at Upper Senate Park to rally in support of the African Health Capacity Investment Act. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Delegate Donna Christensen (D- U.S.-V.I.), the first and only female physician in Congress, joined JUSTICE SPEAKS founder Dr. Gloria WilderBrathwaite to address several hundred medical students on health disparities.

AMSA members followed up the rally with lobby appointments at their home- or school-state representatives' offices.

Sessions on such diverse topics as the role of naturopath physicians, the global health worker shortage, the prevention of medical errors, humanism and surgery, and addiction medicine rounded out the day's programming.

Friday, March 9
Friday's programming included keynote speakers Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Dr. WilderBrathwaite, as well as the presentation of the LGBT Health Achievement Award to QMass at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

2007-2008 leadership candidates made their speeches to a packed room in preparation for Saturday's voting and credentialing for the House of Delegates began.

AMSA's 3rd Annual MedFest with the Special Olympics helped to provide physicals and qualify almost 100 student-athletes for the games. AMSA's 4th Annual Art Exhibit allowed members to showcase their creative sides.

Friday's panels included sessions on the Higher Education Act, the USMLE Step 1, AIDS activism, childhood obesity, health care on the Hill, CAM integration and FDA policy.

Saturday, March 10
Saturday's keynote session with Dr. Paul Farmer, Co-founder of Partners in Health, was a highlight of the Convention. Addressing a standing-room only crowd, he talked to AMSA members about health disparities. His address was preceded by the presentation of the National Golden Apple Award to Dr. Christian de Virgilio from University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine.

Leadership elections were held on Saturday.

Saturday's sessions included discussions on military medicine, humor as a healing tool, alternative careers in health policy, grant writing, reproductive choice, LGBT activism, community-oriented primary care, Hurricane Katrina's impact on healthcare in New Orleans and the surrounding area, and end-of-life care.

Sunday, March 11
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta delivered the Convention's closing keynote address. The new leadership attended training sessions and attendees packed up to go home.

AMSA Extends a Special Thanks to All of Our Convention Exhibitors