Aloha, Advocacy!
PNWU Student Doctors Angie Yossef and Ryan Voelker recently attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The pair joined us to share their advocacy-fueled Aloha State adventures.
It was a warm morning as we strolled moss-darkened Oahu backroads dotted with small cars and buzzing with the chatter of tourists in the distance. The sound of nearby ocean waves were muffled by the busy, humid streets, and our suit jackets stuck to us like chocolate to a wrapper on a hot day.
We were part of the PNWU Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) representatives attending the American Medical Association (AMA) interim conference in Honolulu, HI.
As we walked, seemingly aimlessly at first, we saw a long road with a bridge far off in the distance. It was full of other medical students dressed in similar attire. We were headed in the right direction, and the excitement was palpable.
At the end of our walk, we found ourselves gathered in a large conference room. Students surrounded us, seated behind their state placards like United Nations delegates. They were ready to discuss the day’s resolutions.
PNWU students Ryan Voelker and Angie Yossef (OMS IIIs) attended the AMA interim conference in Honolulu, HI.
The parliamentary rules called the meeting to order, and the room fell quiet. The rules were put forth: respect for the dignity and position of every member in attendance. The personal attacks and partisanship of American politics were not welcome here.
This was our introduction to healthcare policy at the AMA interim conference.
A variety of legislative amendments and resolutions had been created by like-minded, solution-driven medical students from across the nation. Their efforts aimed to reform the healthcare system to better accommodate the unique needs that our increasingly diverse generation faces. These medical students testified on pertinent topics that ranged from pronoun use to post-Roe v. Wade issues. They came with unique perspectives from various communities across the nation, all with a common goal: to serve the medical needs of all patients.
“They came with unique perspectives from various communities across the nation, all with a common goal: to serve the medical needs of all patients.”
Regardless of the stance each student held, we were actively engaged in discussion to become a voice for voiceless patient populations. We advocated for rights, equity, dignity, and justice.
What did this look like, you ask? Long hours of passionate and respectful debates to find common ground.
Some of the topics discussed at this AMA-MSS (American Medical Association-Medical Student Session) conference advocated for expanding Medicaid services, and ensuring housing security among low-income individuals. With Yakima County’s poverty rate 14.8%, and continuing to rank higher than the national average (11.4%) and Washington state’s average (9.5%) poverty rates according to the U.S. Census Bureau, we believe that these resolutions, along with continued discussion, are much needed for the health and well-being of our community.
Left to Right: Ryan Voelker, Jessica McAllister, Angie Yossef, and Victoria Panwala. All four students were sponsored by the Washington State Medical Association to attend the conference.
It has been well established that impoverished communities suffer increased risk of illnesses, chronic disease, lower life-span and higher mortality rates. The mission of PNWU, and of us as future physicians, is to not only be healers, but leaders in the protection and assurance of the social, financial, and psychological aspects surrounding our patients' health in order to transform communities.
Other resolutions addressed the pressing need to strengthen the relationship between public health authorities and American Indian Tribal authorities, as well as expanding medical services with proper electronic medical records while preserving self-governance. With Tribes making up a large part of our community, we found these resolutions vital in voicing their medical needs and continuing to care for our Yakama Nation community’s well-being.
Many other resolutions focused on the health and well-being of physicians and medical students. One such resolution called for the reformation of medical education to increase awareness of the mental health struggles and burnout within the profession. Other resolutions focused on underrepresented populations to create an inclusive culture for the transgender and LGBTQ+ communities within medicine. There were also resolutions on expanding financial literacy among medical students with better AMA-endorsed resources to help students navigate their financial futures.
At the end of the first day, we were invited to attend a meeting with representatives from a collection of west coast-based medical schools.
As we rode the escalator to the top floor, the shimmering Hawaiian sun had tucked past the horizon, leaving the lively city bathed in darkness and soft yellow hues of streetlamps.
We were excited to be a representation for osteopathic medical students among a very limited number of D.O. students at the meeting. We were also honored to represent Washington State, an under-represented state compared to others within the region. Of note, the Chair of the entire Medical Student Section is from Washington State and attends the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University. Although our school does not currently have an AMA Medical Student Section, we were able to vote during elections and support our colleagues from Washington in national representation and delegation at future meetings.
This opportunity could not have been made possible without the sponsorship of Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) and their intentional efforts to create community opportunities that empower students like us to be the voice for those less represented. One of the goals of the WSMA this year, under Dr. Rue’s leadership is to create communities, so that each physician, resident/fellow, and student member has a home — a place to belong.
“We recognize at the WSMA that students are our future and it’s our duty to support and nurture their path in medicine and advocacy,” said Dr. Rue, who was one of physicians on the Yakima County Medical Society board to develop the YCMS-PNWU mentorship program, which continues to grow strong to this day.
We engaged in active and open discussion to pursue our passion in making a difference in our communities; the reason we have committed our lives to our future patients and the medical profession.
“We engaged in active and open discussion to pursue our passion in making a difference in our communities; the reason we have committed our lives to our future patients and the medical profession.”
We may not always know all the answers, but together we can create a healthy community and culture where our future patients can find peace, happiness, health and well-being.
We cannot wait to pay this forward as mentoring future physicians. We must be empowered and create opportunities now, and teach everyone to, “live like someone left the gate open” as WSMA President Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP always says, so that our ceiling would be their floor one day.
Ryan Voelker & Angie Yossef
Third-Year Osteopathic Medical Students
College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM)
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences