Whether you are new to the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) or a seasoned member, you have the power to shape AMA policy and action on critical trainee issues in medicine.
Resolutions adopted by the AMA House of Delegates become AMA policy. This helps direct the advocacy of the organization when interfacing with federal and state governments and other entities. The RFS may write, adopt and send resolutions to the AMA House of Delegates, giving RFS a voice in the AMA.
View the AMA module “How AMA Policy is Made.”
What is a resolution?
A resolution is a proposal that asks the RFS or AMA to take a position and/or an action. A resolution consists of at least one directive to take action or a new/amended position statement accompanied by supporting statements or facts.
A resolution should:
- Identify a problem
- Provide a logical argument for why physicians should care about the problem
- Propose a solution
Submit a resolution
Before submitting a resolution, members should ask themselves:
- Does the proposal deal with resident or fellow issues?
- Is the proposed matter feasible? (Can it be done?)
- Is it advisable? (Should it be done?)
- Is it efficient? (What is the cost-benefit ratio?)
- Has a similar report or resolution been presented and rejected? If so, why?
- Is it consistent with current AMA policy?
2026 Interim Meeting resolution deadlines
- Aug. 31: Draft RFS resolutions due at 11:59 p.m. Central
- Sept. 14: Feedback due to resolution authors
- Sept. 21: Final RFS resolutions due at 11:59 p.m. Central
- Sept. 28: Virtual Reference Committee (VRC) opens
- Week of Oct. 5: Live Zoom testimony session
- Oct. 9: Virtual Reference Committee closes
- Nov. 2: RFS Reference Committee report released
Resolution documents & guidelines
- Resolution template (DOCX, members only)
- Resolution template instructions (PDF, members only)
- RFS Position Compendium (PDF, members only)
Reminders for submitting a resolution
- RFS staff will not format or edit resolution submissions.
- Resolutions that do not adhere to the template will be returned to the author for editing.
- Submit resolutions as soon as possible to allow time for review of proper formatting prior to the deadline.
Op-ed workshop
Learn how to write an op-ed piece, what makes a strong topic, how and where to submit your op-ed, and understanding journalistic ethics in op-ed writing.
Policymaking resources
- 2026 RFS Annual Meeting Delegates' Report (PDF, members only)
- RFS Delegation Guide (PDF)
- RFS Resolution Writing Guide (PDF, members only)
- RFS Position Compendium (PDF)
- RFS advocacy initiatives
- RFS Internal Operating Procedures (PDF, to be implemented following the 2026 RFS Annual Meeting)
- RFS Internal Operating Procedures (PDF, 2023 version)
- 2026 Annual Meeting RFS Reference Committee Report - Annotated (PDF)
- 2026 Annual Meeting RFS Reference Committee Report - Annotated (late resolutions) (PDF)
- Summary of RFS Assembly actions 2022-2026 (PDF, members only)
- 2025 RFS Interim Meeting Delegates’ Report (PDF, members only)
- AMA Policy Finder: Search for policies adopted by the AMA House of Delegates.
- Federal and state correspondence finder: Search for AMA testimony, comment letters and sign-on letters guided by AMA policy and submitted to federal and state governments or other entities.
- Litigation Center case summary finder: Search for information on AMA’s engagement in lawsuits relating to medicine.
Contact us
The RFS policy process is directed by the RFS delegates and supported by AMA staff. Please contact us with any questions.
- Sarah Mae Smith, MD, delegate: [email protected]
- Oluwasegun (Paul) Emenogu, MD, alternate delegate: [email protected]
- AMA staff: [email protected]
