A certificate program for students and residents who want to be an effective advocate.
WSMA Medical Student and Resident Advocacy Program
A program from the WSMA for medical students and residents who want to develop an understanding of
Washington’s legislative process and issues important to the physician community. This includes learning
how to be an effective advocate, engaging directly with legislators, and visiting the state Capitol on a
Lobby Day. Following the completion of the program, participants will be awarded a certificate by the WSMA.
The program is free for medical students and residents in Washington state. Enrollees in the program
receive automatic membership in the WSMA.
Program format: Five virtual one-hour meetings (5:30-6:30 p.m.) and one in-person lobby
day at the state Capitol in Olympia.
Program dates: November 2026-February 2027
Registration deadline: Oct. 31, 2026.
Cost: Free for Washington medical students and residents.
Program Schedule
Wednesday, Nov. 18 (virtual): Legislative Campaigns and PAC Engagement
Developing relationships with candidates on the campaign trail through political action committee
engagement and the outcomes of the 2026 election.
Wednesday, Dec. 2 (virtual): Introduction to WSMA and the House of Delegates
Overview of the WSMA and organized medicine and how to participate in the House of Delegates process
to shape WSMA policy and advocacy efforts.
Wednesday, Dec. 16 (virtual): Legislative Issues
Issues of importance to the physician community, including health care workforce, administrative burden,
scope of practice, and more.
Wednesday, Jan. 13 (virtual): How to Be An Advocate
How to contact your legislators’ offices, testify before a committee, develop relationships with
legislators, and more.
Wednesday, Jan. 27 (virtual): Bill Case Study
Take a closer look at a bill being considered before the Legislature and how it impacts the physician
community.
Wednesday, Feb. 10 (in person): Lobby Day
Participants will have the chance to visit the state Capitol, listen in on floor action or legislative
committees, meet with legislators, and more.
For more information on the program, contact Malorie Toman at
malorie@wsma.org.
Instructors
Members of WSMA’s full-time government affairs team will be your instructors for the medical student
and resident advocacy program.
Sean Graham
WSMA Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs
Alex Wehinger
WSMA Associate Director of Legislative Advocacy
Malorie Toman
WSMA Lobbyist
The WSMA may have a photographer or videographer on-site at this event to gather imagery for use by
the WSMA in its communications materials and channels, as well as for media outreach. These images will
be the property of the WSMA, and the WSMA will not sell or otherwise market event imagery. If you have
any questions regarding imagery taken at a WSMA event, please contact Milana McLead at
milana@wsma.org.
Disclaimer
The WSMA may have a photographer or videographer on-site at this event to gather imagery for use by the WSMA in its communications materials and channels, as well as for media outreach. These images will be the property of the WSMA, and the WSMA will not sell or otherwise market event imagery. If you have any questions regarding imagery taken at a WSMA event, please contact Milana McLead at milana@wsma.org.