WSMA Annual Meeting

The WSMA is governed by a House of Delegates comprising elected delegates from each county medical society, qualified state specialty societies, and members of the WSMA board of trustees. There is one young physician delegate, one resident delegate, and three student delegates (one from each of the three medical schools in Washington state). Each county society has one delegate for every 50 members of the county society who are active or active limited WSMA members.

Each medical specialty society is entitled to elect or appoint one delegate and one alternate, provided that such specialty society has as members at least 100 active members of the WSMA, or if the specialty society has fewer than 100 members, 50% of its members must belong to the WSMA.

Delegates are expected to be available for one year of service from the beginning of the House of Delegates meeting until the House of Delegates meeting the following year. Delegates shall be available to provide input and information and guidance to the WSMA’s board of trustees and executive committee as they administer and interpret policy set by the House of Delegates, and as they make policy decisions when the House of Delegates is not in session.

All legislative power of the WSMA—including the power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws—is vested in the House of Delegates. All business of the House of Delegates is conducted according to parliamentary procedures as outlined in "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure." The speaker of the House serves as parliamentarian. The speaker of the House is Matthew Grierson, MD, of Seattle. The vice speaker of the House is Ray Hsiao, MD, of Seattle.

Policymaking at the meeting is primarily driven by resolutions. A resolution is a proposal asking the WSMA to take a position or act on an issue. Learn more about resolutions and how they help create and guide WSMA policy.

How the House of Delegates operates

The House convenes its opening session on Saturday morning of the WSMA Annual Meeting. At this time, guests are invited to speak to the delegates and all reports and resolutions are referred to reference committees. This is followed by meetings of the reference committees on Saturday.

The House holds a second session on Sunday morning. The reference committees present their reports for consideration by the House on Sunday.

Learn more about the House of Delegates.

Learn more about delegate duties.

Podcast: Behind the Resolutions, Navigating the WSMA House of Delegates

Join WSMA Director of Policy Jeb Shepard and Kim Ha Wadsworth, DO, a delegate to the WSMA House of Delegates representing Thurston Mason County Medical Society, as they take a one-hour deep dive into the WSMA’s House of Delegates and how the policymaking body works. Topics discussed include:

• Overview of the WSMA House of Delegates.
• Governance structure of the WSMA.
• A walkthrough of the WSMA Annual Meeting’s Saturday reference committees and Sunday floor action.
• Drafting and advocating for resolutions.
• From policy to real-world action.
• A sneak peek at the 2025 House of Delegates.

Watch Behind the Resolutions, Navigating the WSMA House of Delegates:

Audio-only versions of Behind the Resolutions, Navigating the WSMA House of Delegates

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MP3

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 206.441.9762 or milana@wsma.org.

The WSMA wishes to thank the following corporate partners for their generous contribution. Learn more about becoming a partner.

Exclusive Premier Partner

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Sustainer

 

Northern Capital Management has experience working with the distinctive financial requirements of physicians, physician assistants, and their practices. Financial planning and wealth management are tailored to your specific investment goals and objectives. WSMA is a client and paid promoter, as a result there is an inherent conflict of interest. Disclosure

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