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Consider the Many Leadership Positions in AMWA

The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is dedicated to advancing women in medicine by fostering leadership, advocacy, and professional growth. Through mentorship, sponsorship, networking, and leadership training, AMWA empowers women physicians at all career stages to lead and drive meaningful change in medicine.

The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) awarded AMWA the 2011 Women in Medicine and Science Leadership Development Award for the contributions AMWA makes to developing medical women leaders.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board holds regular monthly, annual, and special meetings to manage the business, funds, and affairs of AMWA. The Board of Directors includes between three and fourteen elected Officers and Directors who serve a two-year term. Each Officer and Director must be a voting member of AMWA. All AMWA Board members are required to serve on either a standing committee or a working group. The Board of Directors organizes an annual election for the purpose of electing Officers and Board Members of AMWA.

OFFICERS

AMWA Officers include President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Officers are elected by the voting members AMWA. The Board has the option to appoint additional officers as necessary.

President. The President is elected by voting members of AMWA. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of AMWA, presides over all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee, and has the responsibility to operate AMWA in all its activities subject to its policies and budget. The President acts as a representative of the Board of Directors, an ex-officio member of all committees, and shall perform such other duties as may be specified by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.

President-Elect. The President-Elect succeeds the President at the close of the President’s term. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect performs the President’s duties. The President- Elect shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Board of Directors.

Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President acts in an advisory capacity to the other officers of AMWA, represents other committees and task groups as deemed necessary by the Governance Committee, and performs all other duties incidental to the office.

The Secretary. The Secretary gives notice and keeps minutes of all meetings of the Board. (S)he shall send copies of the minutes of all meetings to the Board and shall also see that the books, reports, statements, and all other documents required by law are properly kept and filed. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President or the Board.

The Treasurer. The Treasurer has custody of the corporate funds and other valuable holdings, including investments and endowments. The treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to AMWA and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of AMWA in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of AMWA, working in close cooperation with the President and the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President on a monthly basis an account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of AMWA.

COMMITTEES

Board committees are standing committees that are made to serve a more specific purpose compared to the board in total. Board committees advise the board and the executive office on particular areas of business. They report to the Board of Directors. 

Board committees are standing committees that are made to serve a more specific purpose compared to the board in total. Board committees advise the board and the executive office on particular areas of business. They report to the Board of Directors. 

Advocacy Committee

Charge: Recommend to the Board of Directors policy regarding national, state or local public policies on issues that advance women in medicine, advocate for equity, and ensure excellence in health care.

American Women’s Hospital Service Committee

Charge: Collaborating with AMWA on selecting projects to sponsor to deliver clinical services in underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad as well as working to ensure sufficient funds are available to support these projects.

Awards and Fellowships Committee

Charge: To nominate to the Board of Directors recipients of fellowship and awards as determined by the Board of Directors and recommend policy applicable to national AMWA fellowships and awards.

Development Committee

Charge: Ensuring that AMWA, in addition to good fiscal management, has sufficient funding to support the growth and expansion of AMWA that is critical to long-term sustainability

Education Committee

Charge: Develop strategies to assist with creating and/or disseminating scientific, clinical, and professional education and training addressing the learning needs of physicians, residents, and students; develop or support educational policy to improve the education of physicians, residents, and students; and support the professional fulfillment of all medical learners.

Executive Committee

Charge: The executive committee has the power to act on behalf of the full board. The executive committee is a standing committee that often acts as a steering for the full board. It serves as a central decision-making and oversight body responsible for shaping the organization’s strategic direction, policies, and operations.

Finance Committee

Charge: Develop and recommend to the Board of Directors fiscal policies and practices for the proper conduct of the operations of AMWA. Recommend annual operating and capital budgets for subsequent approval by the AMWA Board of Directors (the committee does not “prepare” the budgets) Advise the Board of Directors on the establishment of specific guidelines, fiscal and others, to be developed and used by the Committees and the Board of Directors in the evaluation of proposed or existing programs, product and services. Routinely evaluate the financial results being achieved by the individual elements of AMWA.

Governance Committee

Charge: Assure effective governance structures and processes through education, recruitment, oversight and evaluation of the Board of Directors and Committees.

Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

Charge: Recommend to the Board of Directors effective strategies to assure integration of diversity and inclusion across AMWA’s governance, policies, procedures, programs,  and membership that is responsive to the changing environment and demographics. Such strategies should enhance communication, professional development, foster diversity and involvement in AMWA activities, and increase the value of membership for our diverse members and should assist AMWA in achieving its vision of a thriving healthy, equitable world.

Membership Committee

Charge: Advise the Board of Directors and management on approaches to promote and advance the continuing growth and diversity of all classes of membership

Sex and Gender Health Collaborative Committee

Charge: Engage in activities, action and collaborations that integrate sex and gender knowledge into medical and other health professions education and practice to improve healthcare for all. Advise the Board of Directors and management on approaches to promote and advance this vision.

SUBCOMMITTEES

Subcommittees are organized to fulfill a specific purpose or objective and report to their committee

Action Coalition for Equity Subcommittee (Subcommittee of Membership Committee)

Anti-Racism Subcommittee (Subcommittee of JEDI Committee)

LGBTQIA+ Subcommittee (Subcommittee of JEDI Committee)

Program Subcommittee (Subcommittee of Education Committee)

WORK GROUPS

Work groups are a group of people who collaborate to achieve specific goals, tasks or projects. The purpose of these groups is for members to collaborate and participate in the collective work of AMWA. They report to the Executive Office.

Coaching Work Group

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Work Group

Fertility Work Group

Global Health Work Group

Graduate Medical Education Work Group

Gun Violence Work Group

HPV Work Group

Leadership Council Work Group

Menstrual Equity Work Group

Mentorship Work Group

Migraine Work Group

Nutrition and Health Work Group

Healthy Lifestyle Work Group

Opioid Epidemic Work Group

Physicians Against Human Trafficking (PATH) Work Group

Well-Being and Professional Fulfillment Work Group

INTEREST AND AFFINITY GROUPS

An interest group is a group of individuals who share a common interest and want to further build upon, develop, and share their interest with others.

An affinity group is a group of individuals who share a common identity characteristic, which can be a wide range of things. The unifying characteristic is usually something that’s traditionally underrepresented and can make the people in that group feel isolated. The affinity groups support and nurture each other.

They report to the Executive Office.

Humanities Interest Group

International Medical Graduates Affinity Group

Military Affinity Group

COLLABORATIVES

A collaborative is an initiative in which AMWA partners with other organizations to achieve greater impact

Reproductive Health Coalition

GEMS Alliance

Wellness Through Equity and Leadership (WEL)

TASK FORCES

Task forces are ad hoc groups formed to address a specific problem and offer recommendation to the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Office to assist with decision making. Task forces may or may not be time limited depending on the problem being addressed. The time frame (if time limited) and charge will be created each time a task force is convened.

Gender Equity Task Force

OTHER PRIORITIES

Climate Change

Covid-19

The chairs of AMWA’S Working Groups are confirmed by AMWA Headquarters and membership is open to all AMWA members. Learn about AMWA’s initiatives and working groups here.

INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA). Each member of AMWA holds membership in MWIA. AMWA members can serve as the AMWA National Coordinator to MWIA, join or lead MWIA Committees or run for office. Learn more.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

Branch Leadership. AMWA shall grant a regular branch charter to an organized group of at least five (5) members upon receipt of a properly executed application form. Branches must conform to the Certificate of Incorporation and Mission Statement of AMWA, and to these Bylaws and any written standards adopted by the Board of Directors.

Regional Governors. AMWA Regional Governors oversee 9 regions:

State Directors. AMWA State Directors serve as liaisons for state based initiatives in AMWA and a focal point for AMWA members in that state.

AMWA Ambassadors. AMWA Ambassadors are a liaison to AMWA members and help promote AMWA membership and initiatives across their network. Ambassadors can earn valuable membership renewal discounts.

TRAINEE LEADERSHIP

AMWA’s trainee divisions grows and advances only through the efforts of dedicated resident, medical student, and premedical leaders, with roles at the national, regional, and local level.

National leaders include:

Regional leaders consist of 1-2 Regional Directors from each region, as follows:

Local leaders include branch officers and committee chairs.