News & Media
Election for AMA Alternate Delegates
In recent months, several alternate delegates on the Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) have moved up to a delegate position as members retired from the Delegation and as Doctor Bobby Mukkamala's election to the AMA Board of Trustees created an additional opening. In anticipation of those changes, the Delegation determined that open alternate seats would not be filled this year in effort to be fiscally responsible, knowing that there are experienced alternates to serve as back up for any delegate that cannot attend and to cover the various AMA reference committees. There is precedent in that decision as some years back several alternate seats were left open for multiple years for various reasons. Consistent with how members were notified in that previous circumstance, the 2018 election notices sent out over the last few months included the following language:
"PLEASE NOTE: Due to the uncertainty of AMA membership numbers in Michigan, as well as finite resources, the Michigan delegation will NOT fill any additional alternate delegate seats at this time."
Because there has been interest in the open alternate positions, elections for five open alternate seats can be held at the 2018 House of Delegates. However, funding to help cover costs related to attendance at the AMA Annual and Interim meetings cannot be guaranteed for any newly filled seats. Funding for positions will be prioritized based on Delegation seniority, which is determined by the year first elected. If more senior members cannot attend a meeting, this would create an opportunity for less senior alternates to move up and receive funding for that meeting.
Any candidates interested in running with that understanding can submit their name to Jennifer Finney at 517-336-5735 in advance of the MSMS House of Delegates (HOD). Nominations can also be submitted from the Floor at the appropriate time during the first meeting of the HOD, which begins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Several incumbent alternate delegates have already been announced for re-election as presented in the HOD Notebook. Any additional nominations will be added to the electronic ballot.
Bylaws provision concerning AMA delegates:
13.30 -- Any physician filling the position of delegate or alternate delegate to the American Medical Association must spend the majority of his/her professional time in active clinical practice; teaching; research; and/or administrative practice and be a full-time Michigan resident, unless they hold an elected or appointed AMA Council position for which they are still eligible.