American Medical Association (AMA)

American Medical Association
Formation	1847
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Membership	240,000
Language	English
Leader title	President
Leader name	Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH
Website	www.ama-assn.org

The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students in the United States. Founded in 1847, the AMA's mission is to "promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health."

History

The AMA was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1847 by Nathan Smith Davis and other physicians. It was established to promote the science and art of medicine and to improve public health. The organization has played a significant role in the development of medical ethics and medical education in the United States.

Structure and Governance

The AMA is governed by a House of Delegates, which is composed of representatives from state and specialty medical societies. The House of Delegates meets twice a year to set policy for the AMA. The organization is led by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for implementing the policies set by the House of Delegates.

Membership

The AMA has approximately 240,000 members, including physicians, medical students, and residents. Membership is open to all physicians and medical students in the United States.

Activities

The AMA engages in a variety of activities, including:

• Advocacy: The AMA advocates for physicians and patients on issues such as healthcare reform, medical liability, and public health.
• Education: The AMA provides educational resources for physicians and medical students, including continuing medical education (CME) programs.
• Publications: The AMA publishes several medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
• Ethics: The AMA develops and promotes ethical standards for the medical profession.

Criticism and Controversies

The AMA has faced criticism and controversy over the years, including its stance on healthcare reform and its historical exclusion of African American physicians. The organization has worked to address these issues and promote diversity and inclusion within the medical profession.

See Also

• Medical ethics
• Medical education in the United States
• Healthcare reform in the United States

External Links

• Official AMA website