Get answers questions you might have about the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Residents & Fellows Section (RFS) and the RFS Governing Council.
Who can participate in the RFS?
Any Pennsylvania Medical Society member still in a residency or fellowship training program.
What are the key issues that the RFS focuses on?
The Pennsylvania Medical Society and the RFS address issues that affect physicians in training. Some of the major issues are:
- Physician collective negotiating
- Debt and student loan repayment
- Resident work hours
- Non-physicians who want to practice medicine
- Market dominance by insurance companies
- Medical liability reform
- Public health issues
How many times a year does the RFS meet?
The RFS meets before the annual House of Delegates meeting in October and holds telephone conferences throughout the year.
What does the RFS do during the rest of the year?
Members of the RFS have a responsibility to:
- Promote membership within the State Society and organized medicine as a whole.
- Act as a leader by promoting and helping to implement positive change for physicians in training.
- Stay in touch with the issues currently affecting residents and fellows.
What is the RSF Governing Council?
The RFS Governing Council represents the views of physicians in training at county, state and national levels. We also develop programs to help residents learn about realities of practicing medicine. Members of the RFS Governing Council participate in the highest levels of decision making for the future of medicine.
Who is RFS Governing Council?
The RFS governing council comprises:
- Chair (1)
- Vice Chair (1)
- Trustee (1) This person serves on the PA Medical Society’s Board Of Trustees
- Alternate Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates (1)
- Secretary, RFS website editor (1)
- PAMPAC Representative (1) (Pennsylvania Medical Political Action Committee)
- Delegates (up to 10)
- Alternate Delegates (up to 10)
- Members-at-Large (up to 6)
How are members selected to fill these positions?
The officers of the RFS are elected at the annual meeting prior to the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s House of Delegates. Delegates and alternates are usually the other members of the RFS who would like to be involved but do not hold an office.
What is an RFS delegate’s/alternate delegate’s role in the House of Delegates meeting?
Delegates and alternates participate in the meeting like any other delegate or alternate. You have the option to submit resolutions and participate in the debate. Delegates are entitled to vote on all house business, including elections.
What is a resolution and who can write one?
A resolution is how the House of Delegates does business. Any RFS member can write a resolution but it must be submitted through the RFS Governing Council.
A resolution uses:
- "Whereas" clauses to describe a problem ("whereas student loan dept averages $125,000")
- "Resolved" clauses to propose a solution ("resolved that all student loan debt be forgiven.")
How does the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s RFS participate in the Pennsylvania delegation to the AMA-RFS?
The State Society RFS sends delegates to each of the two yearly meetings of the AMA-RFS. The number of delegates is determined by the number of Pennsylvania residents and fellows who are members of the AMA. Delegates help set AMA-RFS policy, learn about current issues and debate solutions to problems.
Can I serve on the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s delegation to AMA-RFS?
Yes, if you attend the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s annual House of Delegates meeting.