The American Medical Association held their annual meeting from the 9th – 14th of June at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. The Israeli Medical Association was represented at the meeting by Prof Zion Hagay (President), Adv Leah Wapner (Secretary General) and Michelle Glekin (International Relations Officer).
The meeting began with an opening ceremony on Friday evening. In his opening address, outgoing President Dr. Jack Resneck spoke about attacks on physicians and the resilience of the AMA in fighting these. “We are more resolute in our work because of the challenges and existential threats to our profession and our patients. Even when there are temporary setbacks, our common cause is to speak out for, and to advance our flame, our ethical values, and our common purpose—that is what keeps us going.”
James Madara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AMA highlighted the importance of organised medicine and the need for a unified voice for the profession.
Dr. Bruce Scott, an otolaryngologist from Kentucky, was voted president-elect of the AMA. He stated that “Winning the faith and support of my peers to represent the nation’s physicians and patients we serve is a great honor and tremendous responsibility…With physician burnout surging, prior authorizations taking more and more time and resources away from patient care, and an unsustainable Medicare system, I will advocate relentlessly during my presidency for the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians”. Dr. Scott will be installed as AMA president in June 2024.
The IMA delegation attended a side event on the AMA Physicians Innovation Network (PIN) which was hosted by Matter, a global healthcare startup incubator. AMAs PIN is a free platform designed to connect companies seeking clinical validation for their solutions with physicians and other key stakeholders. There was also a panel discussion with health care technology investors.
The delegation also joined an international dinner which was hosted by AMA CEO James Madara. The evening began with a reception followed by a seated dinner, where guests were able to network and enjoy the views of the city from the balcony.
On Tuesday 13th June, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, was inaugurated as the 178th AMA president. Dr. Ehrenfeld is a practicing anaesthesiologist, senior associate dean, and tenured professor of anaesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he leads the largest state-wide health philanthropy, the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.
He is also the first openly gay person to hold the office of AMA president. In his inauguration speech Dr. Ehrenfeld called for physicians to seek a more equitable tomorrow.
“Standing on this stage tonight and accepting the honor of the AMA presidency is proof that our organization can evolve. This is why visibility matters,” he said. “This is why, when you have a platform like this one, you have a responsibility to use it for the greater good and to try and lift up those who haven’t yet found their voice.”
The Israeli Medical Association wishes Dr. Ehrenfeld much success in the coming year and we look forward to continuing to work together in the international arena.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a reception and dinner/dance in the hotel’s grand ballroom. The guests enjoyed a delicious meal, wonderful music by the band Bluewater Kings and lots of dancing.