Third-year Geisel School of Medicine student Amal Cheema ’23 has been elected to the Association of American Medical College (AAMC) Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) Administrative Board as a National Delegate.
The OSR represents medical students nationwide and actively advances the AAMC mission to improve the nation’s health—Cheema has been one of two Geisel’s representative since Spring 2021.
Comprised of 12 OSR representatives, the administrative board sets the agenda and priorities for the OSR and manages all national activities and projects to address the concerns and issues of all medical students.
“I am privileged and elated to have been elected to serve as a national delegate to the OSR Administrative Board, where I’ll have the opportunity to work collaboratively and cooperatively with fellow representatives to improve the quality of medical education across the U.S. through exchanging best practices,” Cheema says. “My goal is also to help make AAMC resources readily known and increase constituent engagement through community building.”
Cheema was also appointed to the Legislative Affairs Committee that stays abreast of what occurs on Capitol Hill regarding medical education and works with the AAMC Office of Governmental Relations.
“My political science background and advocacy work has led me to firmly believe that students should be actively involved in shaping healthcare at the state and national levels,” she says. “The stability and progress of our healthcare and educational systems are dependent on what occurs on Capitol Hill. As future physicians, we have the responsibility to advocate for our patients and ensure that health care systems and professionals are well positioned to address the needs of patients and communities. I hope to help facilitate that process.
“I know how impactful and necessary student voices are in shaping the education they receive. My background and research in ethics have emphasized the importance of recognizing the adage: ‘those closest to the problem have the solution and innovation,” she adds.
An active member of the Geisel community, Cheema and fellow student Priscila Cevallos ’23 spearheaded the medical school’s involvement in a national effort to help patients register to vote then safely cast their ballots. She also participated in preparing PPE bags for distribution to Community and Parish Nurses in the Upper Valley. And for the past three years she has served on Geisel’s Medical Education Committee.
Cheema plans to share medical education innovations nationally to learn, for example, how different communities adapted to challenges posed by the pandemic. She says, “Sharing data and policy changes more effectively has the real possibility of creating a ripple effect. My hope is to encourage the implementation of sound practices and innovations that will further medical education in a way that’s consistent with our profession’s values and missions, so that my peers and I are prepared to provide equitable, just, and compassionate care to all patients.”
