On April 26, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced that its long-awaited Advisory Committee on LGBT Issues has just been formed. The seven-member body consists of two women and five men. According to an AMA press release, the committee (during its two-year tenure) will advise the Board of Trustees on addressing the needs of GLBT physicians, medical students, and patients.
The advisory committee was formalized in June 2004 in response to direction given the Board of Trustees by the House of Delegates, the AMA’s policy-making body. The Board of Trustees chose the members of the advisory committee members from nominees submitted by state and medical specialty associations and other special interest groups. The committee members are: Rebecca A. Allison, M.D., member-at-large; Don C. Chaplin, M.D., member-at-large; Steven J. Heatherly, Ph.D., Medical Student Section representative; Christopher M. Palmer, M.D., Young Physician Section representative; Jason S. Schneider, M.D., Gay and Lesbian Medical Association representative; Paul A. Wertsch, M.D., committee chair; and Sue S. Yom, M.D., Resident and Fellow Section representative.