| growth-in-ama-membership-in-washington-results-in-a-stronger-wsma-ama-delegation | Growth in AMA Membership in Washington Results in a Stronger WSMA AMA Delegation | Leadership | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/March 13/growth-in-ama-membership-in-washington-results-in-a-stronger-wsma-ama-delegation | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2026/march/AMA-Mtg-2025.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Image of 2025 AMA meeting attendees" /></div>
<h5>Mar. 13, 2026</h5>
<h2>Growth in AMA Membership in Washington Results in a Stronger WSMA AMA Delegation</h2>
<p>
<em>More AMA delegates mean more influence at the national level</em>
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
The <a href="https://www.wsma.org/wsma/about/who_we_are/standing-committees.aspx" target="_blank">WSMA's delegation to the AMA</a> 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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
</div> | 3/13/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-members-are-connecting-with-peers-and-colleagues-you-can-too | WSMA Members Are Connecting with Peers and Colleagues—You Can Too! | Leadership | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/March 13/wsma-members-are-connecting-with-peers-and-colleagues-you-can-too | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2026/march/2022-LDC-Group-Shot1-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Group photo of Washington physicians" /></div>
<h5>Mar. 13, 2026</h5>
<h2>WSMA Members Are Connecting with Peers and Colleagues—You Can Too!</h2>
<p>
<em>WSMA online communities are growing as members learn of the ease of use</em>
</p>
<p>
If you're looking for meaningful connections with your peers and colleagues, we have a modern version of the "doctors' lounge" for you. <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/membership/wsma-communities/wsma/membership/wsma-communities.aspx" target="_blank">WSMA's member communities</a> are bringing members together in an online forum where participants can share concerns, speak openly, seek guidance and enjoy solidarity with fellow physicians and physician assistants.
</p>
<p>
To date, the WSMA offers the following communities. Don't see yours? Create your own and invite your peers.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
AI in Health Care
</li>
<li>
WSMA Virtual Reference Committees and Policy
</li>
<li>
Early Career Community
</li>
<li>
Latinx Community
</li>
<li>
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Forum (coming this month)
</li>
<li>
LGBTQ+ Forum (coming this month)
</li>
<li>
WSMA Center for Leadership Development Alumni
</li>
<li>
Medical Officers Collaborative
</li>
<li>
County Society Leadership
</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>
These forums, whether based on shared interests, geography, or identities, provide a space where you can connect on a personal level.
</p>
<p>
Connections matter. Your community is accessible via email, the WSMA website, or mobile app, making it easy to connect, post, and share anytime, anywhere. If you don't see a community that speaks to you, consider pulling some friends together and propose a new WSMA community.
</p>
<p>
Ready to connect? <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/membership/wsma-communities/wsma/membership/wsma-communities.aspx">Get started</a>.
</p>
</div> | 3/13/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 2026-ampac-candidate-workshop-returns-april-17-19 | 2026 AMPAC Candidate Workshop Returns April 17-19 | Leadership | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/February 20/2026-ampac-candidate-workshop-returns-april-17-19 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/february/US-Capitol-1024px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Image of US Capitol highlighting the 2026 AMPAC Candidate Workshop" /></div>
<h5>Feb. 20, 2026</h5>
<h2>2026 AMPAC Candidate Workshop Returns April 17-19</h2>
<p><em>Registration now open!</em></p>
<p>Ever wonder how physicians get elected to Congress or your state Legislature? Considering a run for office yourself? The <a href="https://ampaconline.org/political-education/ampac-candidate-workshop">AMPAC Candidate Workshop</a> will teach you how to run a winning political campaign because it is designed to help you make the leap from the exam room to the campaign trail and give you the skills and strategic approach you will need to make a run for public office.</p>
<p>At the Candidate Workshop, Republican and Democratic political veterans work together to give you expert advice about being a successful candidate and how to run a winning campaign. You will learn the importance of a disciplined campaign plan and message; the secrets of effective fundraising; what kinds of advertising may be right for your campaign; how to work with the media; and how to build your campaign team and a successful grassroots organization. </p>
<p>Attendees include physicians, spouses of physicians, residents, medical students, and state medical society staff interested in becoming more involved in politics.</p>
<p>Please note the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Candidate Workshop is open to American Medical Association physician members, member spouses, residents, medical students, and state medical society staff.</li>
<li>Registration fee is $250 for AMA members/spouses and $1,000 for non-AMA members. This fee is waived for AMA-member residents and students; however, space is limited and the AMPAC board will review and select four participants from the pool of qualified resident and student applicants.</li>
<li>Faculty, materials, and all meals during the meeting are covered by the AMA. Participants are responsible for their registration fee, travel to and from Washington, DC, and hotel accommodations (the AMA will provide you with a list of nearby hotels within walking distance of the AMA offices).</li>
<li>Participants will be required to bring a laptop or Wi-Fi-enabled tablet with them.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://ampaconline.org/political-education/ampac-candidate-workshop">Registration for the 2026 AMPAC Candidate Workshop is now open</a>. Space is limited and the deadline for registering is March 20, or sooner if maximum capacity is reached. For more information contact <a href="mailto:Politicaleducation@ama-assn.org">Politicaleducation@ama-assn.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 2/19/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |