Growth in AMA Membership in Washington Results in a Stronger WSMA AMA Delegation

More AMA delegates mean more influence at the national level

The American Medical Association has allotted the WSMA with an additional delegate and alternate delegate to the state’s delegation as more Washington state physicians join the national association.

Washington-based AMA members at the end of 2025 totaled 6,352—an almost 10% increase from 2024, which ended with 5,779 Washington-based AMA members. State medical associations are apportioned one delegate and one alternate delegate for every 1,000 AMA members or fraction of, so the growth in AMA membership automatically triggered an increase in WSMA’s AMA delegate count from six delegates and six alternate delegates to seven delegates and seven alternate delegates.

The WSMA’s delegation to the AMA serves on the WSMA board of trustees representing the interests and needs of Washington state physicians and their patients in the creation of policies and programs at the AMA. AMA delegates and alternate delegates are elected by the House of Delegates for two-year terms.

Per WSMA’s bylaws, vacancies on the board of trustees are filled by presidential appointment for the unexpired portion of the term and until the next session of the House of Delegates. The WSMA Nominating Committee will be preparing a slate of candidates for our House of Delegates to vote on this fall, including for the new delegate positions.

With the AMA hosting its annual meeting in June, WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, has elevated Colin Fields, MD, from his current alternate position to serve in the new delegate position and will herself serve as an alternate at the June meeting.