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This course was last taught December 2001
Information is current as of 12/15/01

Political Leadership Institute  

Although many different aspects of health care are subject to the prevailing winds of political opinion, medical students very rarely get the chance to learn practical political skills to help effect change. As a result, AMSA developed its Political Leadership Institute, recently renamed the Paul Ambrose PLI, in memory of the institute's co-creator who was lost in the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. 

AMSA's Political Leadership Institute teaches medical students the basics of the political process, including public speaking skills, writing press releases, lobbying congress and developing campaign strategies to seek passage of legislation. 

Dates: November 29^th-December 2^nd, 2001

Agenda: Thursday, Nov 29^th
Arrivals, Icebreaker

Participants arrive at Dulles Airport (IAD), Dinner, Welcome

Agenda: Friday, November 30^th
Skill Building and Hands-On Policy Work 

8:30             Introduction + Breakfast
                        Rob Levy 
                        Legislative Affairs Director 
                        American Medical Student Association  

9:00             Medical Student and Physician Activism
                        Sid Wolfe, M.D. Director,  Public Citizen's Health Research Group

The Health Research Group was one of the original branches of Public Citizen.  The HRG is responsible for taking many dangerous drugs and medical devices off the market.  An incredible story about medical student and physician activism…get ready to put your thinking caps on!! 

10:00           Public Relations: the art of spin 
                        Tim Clarke, Jr., Director of Public Relations, AMSA 

The how-to’s of writing press releases and generating media coverage.

11:00-2:00   History of the US Health Care System: A Century of Failure & Public Speaking 
                        Paul Jung, M.D.  

Dr. Jung takes us on a whirlwind interactive tour of all the major presidential figures involved with health policy in the last 100 years.  One of the best presentations in which you’ll ever participate!! 

12:30          Working Lunch 

2:00            Team Project Overview
                        Rob Levy
                        Legislative Affairs Director 
                        American Medical Student Association

A description of the projects you will complete during the rest of the day.  6 groups of three will be assigned a particular issue. 

2:30-5:30     Team Issue Preparation Time 

Using the background materials furnished to you and other sources, you will produce a campaign strategy to seek passage of a bill, write a press release, write a speech and prepare for a mock lobby visit. 

6:00             Dinner 

7:30 - ??      Presentation Work Groups, Strategy Submissions

Agenda: Saturday, Dec 1^st
Presenting and Acting on the Issue

More formal dress required

8:30            Breakfast and Day II Orientation 

9:00-11:00  Persuasive Writing 
                        Allan B. Lefcowitz, Ph.D. 

11:00          Lobbying and Health Care Legislation in the Wake of September 11th  
                        Priscilla Ross  
                        Legislative Aide for health policy to Representative Ben Cardin (D-MD)

A sit down discussion with an actual Congressional Aide.  Ask as many questions as you possibly can!!  This is your chance to learn the real behind-the-scenes story in Congress. 

12 noon      Lunch 

1:00            Coalition Building
                        Glenn Schneider 
                        Maryland Citizen’s Health Initiative

So you want to effect change?  You can’t do it without help!! Learn how to sell your issue and gain the support of other organizations. 

2:00             Putting it all together…Students speak, lobby, and present press releases on important health policy topics and receive feedback. 

6:30            Dinner 

Agenda: Sunday, December 2^nd
Departure

9:00            Brunch 

9:00-11:00  Limiting Resident Work Hours: a moderated discussion and campaign simulation  
                        Rob Levy

Using the skills learned throughout the weekend, you will have to make decisions at each step in the decision tree of a real campaign. Your responses will be discussed and compared to the actual campaign to limit resident work hours.                    

11:00           PLI Evaluations 

11 - 2 PM    Farewells, Departure from Dulles Airport (IAD)