3rd Annual Premedical Leadership
and Health Policy Institute

Inspiring the Medical Student Leaders of Tomorrow
Through Premed AMSA Today

October 31 – November 2, 2008

American Medical Student Association
Reston, Virginia (Just outside of Washington D.C.)

Are you a premed interested in becoming a future physician leader?
Want to learn more about US health care policy and student activism?
Do you feel like you know enough about health care in America?
Did you ever wonder how YOU can really help people and society?
Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level?

PREMEDICAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (PLI) OBJECTIVES

1. Superior critical thinking skills. By presenting multiple viewpoints on important issues, AMSA encourages participants to evaluate all issues from a critical perspective.
2. Enhanced leadership skills. AMSA’s question-and-answer format, small group discussions, hands-on service learning experiences, and leadership role exercises enable participants to better understand leadership and begin to identify their own particular leadership strengths.
3. Better understanding of the democratic process. Discussions on democracy, volunteerism, community service, health policy, and direct action activism
4. Improved goal-setting skills. All aspects of AMSA are geared to encourage the participants to see leadership as a life-goal worth pursuing. During the programs, participants are encouraged to identify personal goals and make a commitment to achieve two or more within the six months that follow.
5. Realizing the importance of student activism and leadership. Student’s idealism can be transformed into action. The PLI will teach students what they can really do to help people and bridge the gap in health disparities. Premed future physicians have a powerful voice in health care, whether it be on capitol hill or in your local community. AMSA will teach you how you can effect change.

PLI CONTENT

1. Introduction to AMSA and its contributions to society
2. Leadership exercises
3. Team-building workshops
4. Public Speaking: Preparation and execution
5. US Healthcare system analysis
6. Health Policy: What is it and how it works
7. Discussions on private and public health care in America
8. Direct Action: Call-ins, write-ins, lobby visits
9. Public Health: What’s all the buzz about?
10. AMSA Opportunities: National leadership and internships
11. Introduction to AMSA’s Action Committees
12. Self-strength workshops: What motivates you throughout your premedical career

EXPECTATIONS

1. Accepted institute participants will be required to be on two pre-institute conference calls. The first conference call will be on October 13th, 2008 at 8PM EST. The second call will be on October 21st at 8PM EST.
2. Accepted participants are not required but are strongly encouraged to attend the AMSA National Convention from March 11-15, 2008 in Washington, DC. The AMSA National Convention website is: http://www.amsa.org/conv/.
3. Accepted participants must be committed to becoming student leaders. This could include running for an AMSA national leadership position at national convention, or running to be on your local chapter executive board, or taking on leadership position or role with another related organization.

DETAILS

Participants must arrive to the institute on Thursday evening, October 30th, 2008 and are expected to stay until 4pm on Sunday, November 2nd. We ask that your school or AMSA chapter provide the cost of transportation to the Institute as well as a $25 program fee to show their commitment to leadership training. However, if your school or AMSA chapter is unable to cover these costs you will be required to find another source of funding as the Institute does not have the means to cover these costs. The institute will provide airport pick-up/drop-off, food, and housing throughout the entire course of the institute. To participate in the PLI you must be an AMSA Premed member. If you are not an AMSA Premed member you may sign up to be one by visiting www.amsa.org/premed.

APPLICATIONS

DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 2008 (Midnight PST)
SPACE IS LIMITED SO APPLY NOW AND APPLY EARLY
Twelve applicants will be accepted. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For questions and/or application submission, e-mail Tej Nuthulaganti at tnuthul@gmail.com. Submit by October 12th, 2008 the following materials all attached in one e-mail:

1. Your resume/CV including your name, school you attend, year in school, and complete contact information. (Please provide an address for the state in which you are a registered voter, and an address where you currently reside if you do not reside in the state where you are a registered voter.)

2. Description of previous premed AMSA experience or any other leadership experiences (though experience is not required). (500 words max.)

3. Personal Statement: Why do you want to attend this leadership institute and what do you hope to gain from attending? (no more than 500 words)

4. Please include the following statement in your application "I am an AMSA member (or soon to be pending processing). My AMSA I.D. number is ______. I understand that I will arrange for my own travel, with expenses paid by my own funding source, to arrive at the Institute on Thursday evening, October 30th, and I will stay for the entire Institute until Sunday, November 2nd at 4pm."
   Signed _____________________________________________
   Your Name Typed___________________________________

*You will receive a confirmation e-mail when all the above materials are submitted correctly.

*All participants will be informed of acceptance decisions by Monday, October 13th, 2008. Accepted participants must respond to acceptance e-mail or phone call within 48 hours of receiving it in order to secure their space in the institute.