The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) announced today that Jennifer Salehi will serve as interim Executive Director beginning January 1, 2025. The transition follows the announcement that Chief Executive Officer Jamie Thayer Scates will step down at the end of the year.
With 22 years of experience at AMSA concentrated in membership services and operations, Jennifer is uniquely suited as a steward of the oldest and largest independent association of future physicians in the United States. Having been central to the fulfillment of many of AMSA’s initiatives, Jennifer is also well-suited to oversee seamlessly the upcoming Future Physicians for Change conference in April. Her vision for the organization centers its members’ needs, reconnecting with alumni, continuing to grow AMSA’s Institutional Partnership program, and streamlining collaboration with national and chapter-level leaders.
Jennifer will also focus on working with the AMSA Foundation’s board of directors, which had been rejuvenated by Jamie Thayer Scates as she led a fundraising effort that secured over $3.5 million in funding toward AMSA priorities. The funds raised brought about AMSA’s Reproductive Health Project and allowed for fellowships supporting projects around medical student well-being, health equity, and conflict of interest.
Beyond these, Jamie leaves a legacy of evolution and progress at AMSA, having guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, established AMSA’s successful Institutional Partnership program, and strengthened relationships with AMSA’s member benefit partners. Through Jamie’s vision, AMSA adapted its signature annual convention by collaborating with other progressive student organizations after being one of the first medical organizations to create virtual spaces for members and allies during the height of the pandemic. But most of all, Jamie exuded an unflagging belief in the organization’s potential to change healthcare and medical education for the better, inspiring staff, national leaders, and alumni. This belief ushered the organization into its 75th year.
