| 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 |
| community-advocacy-patient-trust-themes-of-2026-leadership-development-conference | Community Advocacy, Patient Trust Themes of 2026 Leadership Development Conference | Leadership | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/February 12/community-advocacy-patient-trust-themes-of-2026-leadership-development-conference | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2026/february/2026-LDC-Email-Graphic-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="illustration of a doctor standing by a giant piggy bank" /></div>
<h5>Feb. 12, 2026</h5>
<h2>Community Advocacy, Patient Trust Themes of 2026 Leadership Development Conference</h2>
<p>
<em>Kelly Casperson, MD, and Jim Krieger, MD, headline weekend conference May 15-16</em>
</p>
<p>
The politicization of health care, the spread of incorrect or misleading health information, increasing downstream effects of social drivers of health … today's health care environment is presenting unique challenges for care teams and their patients—challenges that threaten the foundation of patient care: the trust between a patient and physician. As we face these new challenges, new competencies may be required—some that may extend beyond the walls of the exam room or clinic.
</p>
<p>
The <a href="[@]wsma/events/ldc/leadership_development_conference.aspx">2026 Leadership Development Conference</a> will feature speakers and sessions that explore the role of physicians and care teams in their communities as patients advocates, and how our voices and actions on behalf of evidence-based medicine can help restore the sacred patient-physician bond. Topics will include leading as community health advocates, using communication technologies to elevate physician voices and evidence-based information, and embracing opportunities to harness cutting-edge solutions to social drivers of health.
</p>
<p>
Keynote speakers include:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Kelly Casperson, MD, is a board-certified urologic surgeon, CEO, and founder of The Casperson Clinic, a modern practice dedicated to hormones and sex medicine. She is a renowned public speaker, sex educator, and host of the top-ranking podcast You Are Not Broken. Dedicated to empowering women, Dr. Casperson blends humor, candor, and science to demystify sexual health, intimacy, and midlife wellness. </li>
<li>Jim Krieger, MD, MPH, is a clinical professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Public Health and executive director of Healthy Food America. He previously worked for 25 years at Public Health – Seattle &amp; King County as chief of chronic disease prevention and assessment, policy development, and epidemiology. He has contributed to implementation of the nation's second menu labeling regulation, adoption of sweetened beverage taxes, front-of-package food labels, and development of ultra-processed food policy. </li>
</ul>
<p>
More speakers and sessions will be announced in the weeks ahead. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit<sup>TM</sup></em>.
</p>
<p>
With a lakeside setting at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, family-friendly activities, and an agenda structured with plenty of time for social events and recreational activities, the WSMA Leadership Development Conference provides an opportunity for physicians, physician assistants, and clinical teams to develop their leadership skills in a relaxed setting. For more information and the conference agenda, visit the <a href="[@]wsma/events/ldc/leadership_development_conference.aspx">conference webpage</a>.
</p>
<p>
Also of note:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Your LDC event registration receipt will include a special promotion code to get 5% off registration to WSMA's <a href="[@]wsma/physician_leadership/center-for-leadership-development.aspx">immersive leadership courses</a> to support members wishing to further develop their leadership skills. Leadership courses include our popular Physician Leadership Course, Team-Based Leadership Course, and Leadership Masterclass.</li>
<li>The Leadership Development Conference is a popular event and rooms at Campbell's Resort go fast. The deadline to book rooms at WSMA's special conference rate is Tuesday, April 14, or until our room block is full. Please call the resort directly at 1.800.553.8225 for room reservations and ask for the WSMA special room rates: $188 for a traditional room and $218 for a deluxe room.</li>
</ul>
<p>
Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance a Mutual Company, Northern Capital Management, Gohagan &amp; Company, Optum, Resolve, HEALWA, and UW Medicine.
</p>
</div> | 2/12/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 2026-legislative-session-update-week-of-jan-26 | 2026 Legislative Session Update: Week of Jan. 26 | Leadership | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2026/2026-legislative-session-update-week-of-jan-26 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/1157689317"><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2026/january/leg-update-video-1-26-26.png" alt="WSMA Legislative Update: Week of Jan. 26, 2026" /></a></div>
<h5>January 26, 2026</h5>
<h2>2026 Legislative Session Update: Week of Jan. 26</h2>
<p>WSMA Lobbyist Malorie Toman gives an update on WSMA priority bills to ensure patient access to preventive care, including vaccinations. <a href="https://vimeo.com/1157689317">Watch the video</a>.</p>
</div> | 1/26/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |