AMA Leadership Changes Amid Calls for Healthcare Innovation and Research Support

The American Medical Association (AMA) has undergone its annual leadership transition, ushering in a new era of advocacy for physicians and patients alike. This change comes at a critical time for the healthcare industry, as it grapples with challenges ranging from chronic disease prevention to technological integration.

New AMA President Emphasizes Prevention and Interoperability

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a Michigan-based otolaryngologist, has been sworn in as the 180th president of the AMA. Mukkamala, who faced personal health challenges with a brain tumor diagnosis in 2024, brings a unique perspective to his new role. He aims to shift the focus from "sick care" to prevention, particularly for chronic diseases.

"If, during my three years, we can kind of call attention to the foolishness of this lack of interoperability of health information, I will leave the AMA in three years as a happy man knowing that I put my fingerprints on the work that makes that rights that wrong," Mukkamala stated in an earlier interview.

The new president also highlighted the importance of government-funded research in advancing medical treatments. He cited his own experience with an IDH inhibitor for brain cancer as an example of successful collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and the National Institutes of Health.

AMA President-Elect Brings Extensive Experience to the Table

Dr. William Underwood III, a urologic surgeon from Buffalo, New York, has been elected as the AMA's president-elect. With a 25-year career and nearly 120 peer-reviewed publications to his name, Underwood brings substantial clinical and research experience to the role.

"It is an incredible honor to be chosen by my peers to represent physicians and the patients we serve at this critical moment for health care and medicine," Underwood said. He pledged to advocate for a rational Medicare payment system, address prior authorization issues, and work to reduce physician burnout.

Ongoing Challenges and Future Focus

Both Mukkamala and Underwood face a landscape of persistent challenges in the healthcare industry. Key issues on their agenda include:

1. Increasing physician pay
2. Easing the burden of prior authorization
3. Modernizing healthcare technology
4. Facilitating interoperability of health information systems
5. Addressing health disparities and improving access to care

As the AMA continues its advocacy efforts, the new leadership team will need to navigate complex policy landscapes while championing the interests of both physicians and patients in an ever-evolving healthcare environment.