President and Premed Trustee Welcomes
NATIONAL PRESIDENT WELCOME
Jay Bhatt, AMSA 2006-07 National President
Dear Premedical Chapter Member,
Welcome to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), and congratulations on choosing to charter a new AMSA Premedical chapter!
AMSA is the largest independent association of physicians-in-training with more than 65,000 members, and premedical students are the foundation of our group of physicians-in-training. AMSA is a national organization, but our core is our local chapters. AMSA was founded with a spirit of grassroots activism and service that continues today-AMSA chapters provide over one million hours of community service every year. By choosing to found a premedical chapter, you are joining over 55 years of working for change in medical education and health care. You also join an organization that recognizes the importance of premedical training in building the physicians of tomorrow.
As a premedical student, you play a special role in AMSA. Many premedical leaders matriculate to medical school and then decide to run for an AMSA leadership position on the national level. In addition, premedical AMSA chapters also engage in the same community activism and public health awareness that our medical student members do. It is our hope that by introducing you to this idealism early, it will remain a vital component of your professional career as a practicing physician.
There are a large number of activities and services open to your AMSA chapter. Check out our introduction to AMSA to learn all about what AMSA has to offer, then browse our Premed Web pages to find more information for chapter officers in addition to membership benefits, local projects, action committees and interest groups and our annual convention.
If you require assistance in completing this application or have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me or AMSA's Premedical Trustee, John Brockman at premedt@amsa.org.
Good luck and welcome to the AMSA family!
PREMEDICAL TRUSTEE WELCOME
John Brockman, 2006-07 Premedical Trustee
Premedical Chapter Officer,
I would like to welcome you again to the American Medical Student Association. You are now part of the nation's largest independent group of physicians-in-training that has been advocating change in medicine for over 50 years. If you are just starting your chapter, congratulations! You are joining more than 200 chartered premedical chapters nationwide, with more than 4,500 premedical members. AMSA has reaffirmed my desire to become a doctor. I think that if you look around and try it out you will feel the same. Once you join, you will find your own home in AMSA.
Premedical AMSA is always working to better its members. This year, for instance, AMSA is putting on our first Premedical Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. Every year students take advantage of internships and other leadership opportunities within AMSA. At the national convention, AMSA sponsors a medical school fair that featured more than 50 schools this year! Most importantly, AMSA gives you an opportunity to network. AMSA has provided me the forum to throw ideas off people and get advice on the MCAT and application process.
AMSA is definitely an organization that acquires its strength from having strong local chapters. We appreciate your interest in looking into how to charter a chapter. I hope to welcome you into the AMSA family. Chartering is a way to become a formal chapter of AMSA at your local level. By becoming chartered, you and your chapter are eligible to apply for Local Project Grants, attend the annual National Convention, attend Fall Regional Conferences (each with specific premed programming), and take advantage of all the member benefits that come with being a national AMSA member.
Now that you are convinced that starting an AMSA chapter is a positive thing to do for your school, please continue through the next few webpages and charter your chapter. What better way to get premedical students together than to do it with a cause?
Last year, I was a chapter officer at Truman State University. I understand the feelings of excitement and uncertainty that come with being a chapter officer. If I can ever be of service or if you ever have any questions feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help.