Health Professional in Training (HPiT) Program
GLMA Delegate to the American Medical Association - Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) Role Overview
Applications forthcoming in Winter 2025
Note: you must be currently enrolled in a MD or DO program to be eligible for this position. Previous AMA-MSS experience is encouraged but not required - training on AMA-MSS procedure will be provided for those new to the organization!
The mission of GLMA includes advancing policies that support LGBTQ+ health. An important aspect of this mission is accomplished through working with the American Medical Association (AMA). GLMA has worked closely with the American Medical Association (AMA) for over two decades, collaborating on several important fronts. First, GLMA members serve on the AMA Advisory Committee on LGBTQ+ Issues and advises the AMA Board of Trustees on LGBTQ+ issues, hosts the LGBTQ+ & Allies Caucus programming at AMA meetings, and LGBTQ+ educational sessions. Since 2013, GLMA has a seat in the AMA House of Delegates (HOD), which allows it to have a direct impact on national health policy as well as nominate and endorse candidates for various positions with the AMA.
The AMA contains multiple sections, one of which is the Medical Student Section (MSS). Within the MSS, resolutions are introduced, voted on by delegates, and can become MSS-only policy or be advanced to the House of Delegates to become AMA policy. The MSS meets biannually, in the days preceding the convening of the AMA HOD, in November and June.
HPiT will select an AMA-MSS GLMA delegate and two alternates (three total) for a year-long term with one renewal opportunity (up to two years total). The GLMA AMA-MSS delegate and alternates are expected to remain up to date on current and past GLMA policy and coordinate with the GLMA delegate and alternate to the HOD. Delegates are expected to be active participants in the AMA-MSS as resources on LGBTQ+ policy, respondents in the virtual reference committee (online, during resolution development), and speaking for/against resolutions in person at conferences.
Per the AMA-MSS’s bylaws, the HPiT AMA-MSS delegate or an alternate is required to attend the Annual (in Chicago) and Interim (location changes yearly) conferences in order to maintain its delegate to the AMA-MSS. Please note that your completed application confirms your understanding of the expectation to make all possible arrangements to attend these conferences. We realize there will be financial and scheduling limitations which is why there will be alternates. Please be aware that there is no available funding to cover travel and lodging (the AMA conference is free to AMA members).
To learn more about the GLMA HPiT Committee, the AMA-MSS, or the GLMA MSS Delegate position please read the FAQ’s below or connect directly with the HPiT co-chairs at hpitcommittee@glma.org.
The applicant should be an MD or DO student planning to attend at least two AMA conferences. The Dean must confirm the applicant's good standing upon acceptance and communicate attendance expectations.
A delegate and two alternate delegates will be chosen. The HPiT co-chairs will conduct the selection, followed by approval from the Board President and Executive Director. A single application will be used for all positions.
HPiT will supervise the application cycle and selection process. At least one lead delegate must always be appointed.
Applications will be posted after GLMA’s annual conference and AMA interim, as both events are currently scheduled for the fall season. Selection will be finalized before the new calendar year.
One year after the initiation of the GLMA MSS delegate position, the candidate will undergo re-evaluation by the HPiT committee.
Yes! Interested candidates can reapply for consecutive terms. Delegates who are re-approved will continue to serve. Delegates who are denied re-approval will be informed of the end date of their term, and an application cycle will begin to select the necessary number of delegates.
The HPiT Committee appreciates the potential financial costs of attending the AMA meetings and therefore encourages, but does not require, your attendance at the annual GLMA conference. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the GLMA conference scholarship.
To support and maintain the delegate role, HPiT Co-Chairs are responsible for ensuring compliance with MSS bylaws, executing delegate applications, providing training on GLMA policy and AMA MSS resolution procedures, initiating communication between delegates, and updating relevant forms annually or as needed.