OMA BOT Book 4.24.2024

AMA Delegate and Alternate Delegate Policy Approved September 2017

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The opportunity to represent the OMA at the American Medical Association (AMA) should be a primary focus of the OMA. It enables us to shape obesity policy on a national level and interact with all specialty and state societies at scheduled meetings twice a year. Our activities in the AMA have had enormous health consequences ranging from recognition of obesity as a disease, calling for improved coverage of services, researching the state of obesity education and educating physicians regarding non stigmatizing terms and person-first language. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to weigh in on all health-care related policies facing physicians. This policy is intended to definestipulates who can serve as the AMA delegate and alternate (referred to as “delegates” for the remainder of this policy statement), nomination procedures, term, and benefits. Proper representation at AMA meetings is a significant responsibility. In addition to attending the two meetings (Summer / Winter, ~6 days each), the delegates must be intimately familiar with current OMA positions, policies and objectives. It is highly desirable to have the delegates not only attend AMA meetings, but also attend OMA meetings and be actively engaged in committees such as advocacy, education and outreach. It needs to be a primary objective of the OMA to encourage its members to become members of the AMA. If we do not retain enough members, we will lose this incredible opportunity. This would severely limit our ability to be active in organized medicine. Participating as a delegate in the AMA is an honor, and we need to educate the OMA membership on why this is important. These are long-term appointments. It takes years to build the connections and relationships to be effective within the AMA. Many delegates have served for 20-30 years or more. This becomes of particular importance should the delegate try to advance in the AMA, either volunteering for a reference committee or running for office (board, speaker, presidency). Therefore, it is necessary for delegates not only to have expenses covered for AMA meetings, but also to receive a travel package for OMA meetings. It is not reasonable to ask a delegate to represent the OMA and expect them to be intimately engaged in OMA committees and strategic objectives, but ask that they be responsible for expenses to attend these sessions. Nomination 1. Who can serve as an AMA delegate / Alternate delegate? a. A physician member of the OMA who is also an AMA member. 2. How do we appoint the AMA delegate / alternate? a. The delegates are appointed by a majority vote of the board. 3. What is the term of a delegate? a. 4 years, no term limit. 4. The term is NOT guaranteed – the BOT may unappoint a delegate unilaterally at any time for any reason. Similarly, a delegate may resign their appointment at any time for any reason, and there will be no repurcussions.

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