From Passive to Active: A Resident's Journey Through the AMA House of Delegates Meeting
It is with great enthusiasm that I share my first experience participating with the American Medical Association's (AMA) advocacy efforts at the recently concluded annual House of Delegates meeting in Chicago, IL, from June 5-10, 2026. Serving as the ASRA Pain Medicine Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) representative to the AMA stands as one of the most significant and rewarding opportunities of my career to date.
The meeting began with the RFS Assembly, where I witnessed residents and fellows championing resolutions aimed not only at enhancing training conditions but also at elevating the standard of medical practice and, ultimately, patient care. This was followed by the House of Delegates (HOD) session, a dynamic, multi-day convening of physicians from diverse specialties and career stages, representing their states, specialty societies, and cohorts. Together, they engaged in rigorous debate on critical policies shaping the future of medicine.
The entire meeting offered invaluable formal and informal access to peers, mentors, and leaders whose behind-the-scenes efforts have laid the foundation for modern medicine. I was particularly struck by the delegates' genuine openness to trainee perspectives, their willingness to hear concerns, and their active pursuit of meaningful improvements.
As a member of the ASRA Pain Medicine delegation, I had the distinct privilege of working alongside ASRA Pain Medicine’s Immediate Past President and Delegation Chair, David Provenzano, MD, Alternate Delegate Richard Chou, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FASRA, and Elizabeth Smith, CAE, the amazing Executive Director at ASRA Pain Medicine, whose guidance and warm welcome were instrumental in helping me understand the process and nuances of serving as a delegate.
Although we had previously collaborated on resolutions virtually, seeing our team in action—engaging with fellow delegates, advancing our agenda, and fostering cross-specialty collaboration—was itself a valuable education.
From Passive to Active Engagement
During the meeting, I volunteered to serve as an alternate delegate, a role that allowed me to transition from observer to active participant. This opportunity enabled me to sit in the HOD alongside ASRA Pain Medicine’s delegates, representing our Society within the broader community of pain medicine and anesthesiology.
Key Priorities Advanced by the RFS Assembly
The AMA HOD adopted/advanced several policies and initiatives aligned with RFS priorities, including the following.
- Adopted policy supporting fully funded transportation home for residents and fellows after overnight and extended shifts as a fatigue mitigation strategy
- Advanced AMA advocacy supporting protections for international medical graduates and trainees with pending visa applications, while expanding resources for those navigating immigration-related challenges
- Adopted policy reinforcing that AI in clinical care should remain physician-led, with transparency, oversight, safety protocols, accountability, and physician involvement in clinical decision-making
- Directed the AMA to study ways to improve benefits and alleviate financial burdens during major training transitions, including medical school to residency and residency to fellowship.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
I am proud to share that our collaborative efforts contributed to the passage of a resolution that secured scientific data to inform scope-of-practice regulations. For more details, please see the coverage in MedPage Today.
Lessons Learned
This experience reinforced a vital lesson: it is never too early to write, to speak, or to advocate for oneself, for colleagues, for the patients we are sworn to protect, and for the future of the practice of medicine. Meaningful change begins at every level, and every voice matters.
Get Involved
I encourage all trainees to seek opportunities for service and advocacy at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Your participation is not only welcome but also essential to the future of medicine.
Next Steps
Easy as 1… 2… 3…
- Join AMA. The cost for trainees (residents and fellows) is $45 per year or $160 for four years.
- Join ASRA Pain Medicine. The cost for residents and fellows is $67 per year.
- Join the ASRA Pain Medicine Residents & Fellows Committee.
Listen to a podcast:
- Episode 69: Live From #ASRASPRING26 With Our Resident & Fellow Committee Chairs (June 16, 2026)
- Episode 67: Getting Involved in Advocacy and Pain Medicine (October 28, 2024)
- Episode 61: Resident Section Committee (August 29, 2023)
Ochuko Ogbon, MD, is an anesthesiology resident at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL.