44. Inside the AMA Alliance: Educate. Advocate. Connect. And Why It Matters for Physician Families

What exactly is the AMA Alliance—and what does it offer physician families today? For more than a century, Alliance organizations have brought physician families together around a shared commitment to educate, advocate, and connect. Yet as medicine and medical families continue to change, so does the role of the Alliance. In this special multi-voice episode of The MedLife Support Podcast, Dr. Lisa  brings together leaders from across the American Medical Association Alliance (AMA Alliance) for an inside look at the organization, the physician families it serves, and where it is headed next. Whether you have been part of the Alliance for decades, have heard the name but aren't quite sure what the organization does today, or are discovering the Alliance for the first time, this episode explores why this community continues to matter throughout every stage of life in medicine. You'll hear how the AMA Alliance's core values come to life through: EDUCATE The Alliance provides physician families with information, programming, and resources designed specifically for the realities of life in medicine. Sheridan Sheffield shares the role of Physician Family Magazine, The Link newsletter, and other communications that help members stay informed and connected. Lori Boies, PhD, discusses findings from the Physician Family Experience Survey and how the Alliance is using what physician families are telling us to shape educational programming, including the new Physician Family Wellness Series and upcoming All-Member Calls. Ann Sanford introduces the Alliance Health Education Initiative (AHEI) and the educational and grant opportunities helping Alliance members create healthier communities across the country. Dr. Lisa also steps into her role as Director of Programs to share how research and member needs are informing new resources, including the developing AMA Alliance Self-Care Toolkit, which takes a broader look at well-being across multiple areas of physician family life. ADVOCATE Physician families have a perspective that matters—not only to medicine, but to the healthcare system and the communities it serves. Jenny Shepherd, Director of Legislation and Advocacy, describes herself as an "accidental advocate" and challenges the assumption that advocacy requires political expertise, extensive travel, or hours spent studying policy. Instead, advocacy can begin with your own experience, your relationships, and a willingness to speak up about the issues affecting physicians, patients, families, and communities. You'll also hear how data from the Physician Family Experience Survey can help give physician families a stronger voice by putting evidence—and real stories—behind the challenges medical families experience. CONNECT Again and again, one theme rises above nearly everything else in this episode: community. Brian Case, Director of Membership, explains why the relationships created through the Alliance remain one of its greatest benefits and why connecting physician families early in the medical journey can be especially valuable. AMA Alliance President, Dinah Goldenberg, brings the conversation together by sharing her vision for the Alliance's future: an organization that listens to physician families, evolves alongside them, and becomes a trusted support network for spouses, partners, families, and physicians themselves. Physician families may live in different communities, specialties, career stages, and family circumstances, but many of the realities of MedLife are remarkably familiar. Sometimes simply finding people who understand makes a difference. In This Episode, You'll Hear About The role of local, state, and national Alliance organizations Why physician family community matters AMA Alliance membership and opportunities for involvement Complimentary membership opportunities during the medical training years Physician Family Magazine and Alliance communications The Physician Family Experience Survey The Physician Family Wellness Series All-Member Calls and educational programming Advocacy opportunities for physician spouses and partners The Alliance Health Education Initiative and community grants The developing AMA Alliance Self-Care Toolkit How research is helping guide the future of the Alliance Why connection and belonging continue to matter in physician family life Featured AMA Alliance Leaders Brian Case — Director of Membership Brian discusses membership, community, connection, and why physician families don't have to go through MedLife alone. Sheridan Sheffield — Communications Sheridan shares how the AMA Alliance uses Physician Family Magazine, The Link, and other communications to educate and connect physician families. Lori Boies, PhD — Director of Events and Chair of the Physician Family Experience Survey Writing Team Lori explains what the latest research is teaching the Alliance about physician families and how those findings are shaping future programming. Jenny Shepherd — Director of Legislation and Advocacy Jenny shares why advocacy is more accessible than many people realize and how physician families can use their experiences to make a meaningful difference. Ann Sanford — Chair, Alliance Health Education Initiative (AHEI) Ann explains how AHEI's educational programs and grants help Alliance members translate ideas into healthier communities. Lisa Muehlenbein, PhD — Director of Programs Dr. Lisa shares how AMA Alliance programs are being developed around the changing needs of physician families, including the developing Self-Care Toolkit. Dinah Goldenberg — President, AMA Alliance Dinah discusses the future of the organization and its commitment to listening, evolving, and remaining relevant to today's physician families. Learn More American Medical Association Alliance www.amaalliance.org Follow the AMA Alliance on social media: @amaalliance Visit the AMA Alliance website to learn more about membership options, including the FREE membership for the sposues/partners of medical students, residents, fellows, as well as resources, programming, and Alliance organizations across the country. If you know another physician spouse, partner, physician, or medical family who could benefit from learning more about this community, share this episode with them. And be sure to subscribe to The MedLife Support Podcast so you never miss your dose of MedLife Support. Connect with Dr. Lisa: Website: www.themedlifematrix.com Instagram: @themedlifematrix and @themedlifesupportpodcast Click HERE to get on the waitlist for the Mastering the MedLife Matrix Course. Take the FREE Burnout Risk Assessment Quiz for Physicians and their Spouses