American Medical Women’s Association

The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is an organization of over 10,000 women physicians and medical students dedicated to serving as the unique voice for women’s health and the advancement of women in medicine. Established in 1915, the AMWA functions at the local, national, and international levels to support the advancement of women in medicine and improve women’s health by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliance. The Association offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs and projects on issues relevant to women physicians and women’s health; has a National Office that monitors and keeps the Association’s membership informed on current legislative issues; and conducts an Annual Meeting that serves as a networking opportunity for women physicians and medical students from across the country. The AMWA also has developed a number of educational projects for its physician members, non-member health care providers, and the public; offers several presentations for use in local communities and at major meetings; and works to educate physicians and medical students nationally on a number of topics, including heart disease in women, tobacco control, reproductive health, and breast and cervical cancer screening. The AMWA’s publications serve as its public voice for women’s health and support of the advancement of women in medicine. The Association’s publications include the “Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association” (JAMWA); resolutions and position papers that are approved by the House of Delegates; several books on women’s health for consumers, such as the “Women’s Complete Healthbook”; and a membership newsletter and special mailings. The JAMWA is a peer-reviewed, quarterly medical journal that focuses on women’s health issues including such topics as women and cardiovascular disease, women and HIV/AIDS, genetics and women’s health, and managed care and women’s health. AMWA’s position papers are an important resource for members and staff in communicating AMWA policy on key issues and often serve as a focus of the Association’s research and education efforts. AMWA position papers have been developed on such topics as breast cancer detection, breast cancer treatment, coronary artery disease, dependent care, gender discrimination and sexual harassment, genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility, and health care reform. The AMWA has also adapted resolutions on such topics as women’s health and access to care, smoking cessation, parental leave, and mental health and domestic violence. In addition, the Association founded the AMWA Foundation in 1990 to help implement the AMWA’s health agenda and maintain its historical commitment to helping the medically underserved.