American Medical Women’s Association Charts Path Forward at Interim Board Meeting

The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) convened in the nation’s capital for three days of strategic planning, leadership discussions, and legislative advocacy during its 2025 Interim Board Meeting and Advocacy call-to-action. The gathering underscored AMWA’s dual role as a leadership accelerator and a mission-driven community dedicated to advancing women physicians and women’s health.

Board Sets Priorities for Growth

The board agreed on the importance of amplifying members’ work, building connections across institutions, and framing AMWA as both a leadership accelerator and a mission-driven community. As the organization moves forward, its focus will remain on elevating women physicians, expanding membership, and forging partnerships that advance women’s health and leadership in medicine.

Advocacy Day: Building Relationships on Capitol Hill

Members came together to gain insights on effective advocacy strategies ahead of our day of congressional visits. The day opened with a Fireside Chat with Dr. Alice Chen, MD, Board Chair, Health Without Harm and AMWA President, Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH. Dr. Chen shared her insights on how to “Find Our Power in Difficult Times.”

Advocacy experts provided strategic insights, including

Jo Ann Endo, MSW, Founder & Principal of Improvement Catalyst Coaching, LLC, who guided attendees on the value of storytelling for connection, credibility, and change.
Allison Ivie, MPP, MA, Principal & Chief Development Officer at Center Road Solutions, offered a policy overview and strategies for physicians to effectively advance legislative priorities.
AMWA Advocacy Chair and member of the Board, Katrina Green, MD, and former Advocacy Co-Chair, Rita Kuwahara, MD, shared lessons learned from the inside while leading the AMWA advocacy outreach.
Sharon A. Lamberton, MS, RN, Deputy Vice-President of State Policy and External Outreach for PhRMA, and Karen B. Moore, APR, CPRC, CEO and Founder of Moore, Inc., offered insights on how to capitalize on the benefits of physician advocacy for the greatest impact when meeting with legislative aides.Members were encouraged to:
- Pair evidence with authentic narratives to connect with congressional staff on shared values.
- Avoid clinical jargon; instead, use clear, relatable language that humanizes complex issues.
- Reach out to representatives and senators — particularly those serving on key healthcare committees such as House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce, or Senate Finance and HELP — to request meetings, share perspectives, and build ongoing relationships.
- Always ask how AMWA can help lawmakers advance their legislation.

The speakers noted that many bills stall due to time constraints, while those that succeed often move forward as part of larger legislative packages. AMWA’s coalition work, including its role as co-founder of the Reproductive Health Coalition, was cited as an example of how partnerships can build momentum for change.

AMWA Advocates for Women’s Health

Applying the lessons learned from our immersive presentations in advocacy, AMWA took our healthcare priorities to the Hill.

Leaders of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) met with legislative healthcare staff on September 15 for AMWA Advocacy Day on the Hill. The delegation visited 17 congressional offices, where they engaged in policy discussions, emphasizing priorities specific to women’s health and health safety and advancing research, clinical care, and funding for the National Institutes of Health, including the Office of Research on Women’s Health. AMWA leaders were able to find common ground on many bipartisan issues and stressed the importance of shared values in advancing healthcare for all.

“These visits were an important way for us to advocate for women physicians by encouraging Congressional members to reauthorize the Lorna Breen Act, as well as advocate for the health of our patients by encouraging investment in women’s health research and supporting several bills that would improve healthcare delivery and access,” says Dr. Katrina Green, a member of the AMWA board and chair of advocacy. “As the largest multispecialty professional organization focused solely on women physicians and women’s health, AMWA aims to be an important resource for Congress in continuing to advance critical considerations that will improve medicine and healthcare in the United States.”

Building Partnerships for Change

In each congressional office, AMWA leaders encouraged lawmakers to co-sponsor and vote in favor of top legislative priorities that directly impact women’s health, physician well-being, and public safety.

We also thanked lawmakers already co-sponsoring key bills and encouraged the others to lend their support. By grounding conversations in evidence-based medicine and shared health priorities, AMWA reinforced its mission to advocate for policies that improve the health of women, families, and communities nationwide.

“Whether we are talking about heart disease, cancer prevention, maternal health, or safety from gun violence, these issues are not partisan—they are human,” said Dr. Eileen Barrett, AMWA President. “Our goal is to ensure that every individual receives care that supports their health and dignity.

The Takeaway

The 2025 Interim Board Sessions underscored AMWA’s commitment to preparing women physicians as leaders, strengthening the organization’s infrastructure, and amplifying its voice in healthcare policy. As one theme resonated across board discussions and advocacy training: effective change comes from blending data with human stories, fostering trust, and connecting through shared values.