Senior Physicians: We Need Your Voices!

Any physician that has reached the age of 65 is considered by the American Medical Association and the Medical Association to be a Senior Physician, even if you are not currently working in a medical practice. That does not mean your voice cannot still work for the House of Medicine.

Did you know the Medical Association has a Senior Physician Section Representation on the Board of Censors? This is an elected office, and even though it is a non-voting position by statute, it is nevertheless an important platform for voicing the issues affecting older physicians in Alabama, such as requesting payment for services, malpractice coverage, new technologies, personal health issues, etc…

The position has benefits, too, such as reimbursement for travel to and from monthly board meetings, which are the second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, and accommodations and food are also provided during your time in Montgomery. Your transportation, hotel and food expenses are covered for the two annual meetings of the AMA. In 2019, the meetings will be June 8-12 in Chicago and Nov. 16-19 in San Diego.

I have served as the Senior Physician Section Representative for the past year, and I will vacate the office during the next Annual Meeting in April 2019 when a new representative will be elected. I urge all Association senior physicians to attend because we are the ones who elect OUR representative – and practicing physicians can also earn CMEs for attending the conference.

I would recommend choosing someone who is still practicing medicine and would like to serve the Medical Association. This position requires someone that understand the difficulties that face all physicians and especially senior physicians in the current medical environment. If you have questions, please email Executive Director Mark Jackson.

Article contributed by Dr. Jim Alford, Senior Physician Section Representative, 2018-2019.