AMSA Annual Convention: Largest Gathering of Medical Students Celebrates 58 Years of Student Activism

Houston Mayor Kicks Off Convention by Addressing Physicians-in-Training

HOUSTON, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 1,500 future physicians are expected to attend the American Medical Student Association's (AMSA) 58th annual convention, set for March 12-16, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Houston in Houston, Texas.

Premedical and medical students, international medical students, residents and interns, physicians and other activists from across the country will assemble for "healthcare (r)evolution," a five day conference of innovative workshops and organizational policymaking relating to top health care issues. This year's convention focuses on a new era of physician advocacy -- the evolution of physicians-in-training and their impact on the future and the awareness of the profession.

Pre-Conference Symposium

On Wednesday, March 12, AMSA will host an all-day conference on health effects on the environment. Topics will include climate change, environmental justice, occupational medicine, children's environmental health, toxics and the precautionary principle, obesity and the built environment, international environmental health and improving the sustainability of healthcare.

Keynote Addresses

Houston Mayor Bill White will open AMSA's convention on Thursday, March 13 at 11 a.m. On Friday, March 14 at 8 a.m., Dr. Catherine DeAngelis, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association will discuss evidence-based prescribing and the pharmaceutical industry.

On Saturday, March 15 at 9 a.m., U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs and former U.S. Army Surgeon General James Peake will discuss his experiences spent in public service. Peake is currently responsible for the health care of all U.S. veterans. On Sunday, March 16 at 11 a.m., former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders will address participants.

Convention Programming

The program includes over 100 workshops and seminars, ranging from topics on pharmaceutical industry marketing, minority health, 2008 election issues, immigrant health, healthcare and the aging population, the AIDS epidemic and mental health.

Special events include a rally at Houston City Hall in support of immigrant healthcare access, the annual art exhibit, and the annual poster session, sponsored by the National Health Service Corps and the AMSA Foundation.

AMSA's House of Delegates

The House of Delegates is a delegation of medical students from each local medical school chapter who meet at the annual convention to vote on AMSA's policies and to elect national officers.

You may access the entire convention program online at: http://www.amsa.org/conv/program.cfm.

Media Information

Members of the media are welcome to attend any AMSA convention event. Media must check in at the AMSA registration booth for complimentary press credentials. For more information, contact Kim Becker, AMSA Director of Public Relations at (781) 223-4042.

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 68,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org/.