Blog

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Interim Vice President of Government and Public Relations

ED to MED was created in 2016 with the support of AACOM President and CEO Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH, who has led the Association since January 2006 and is retiring this month. To honor Dr. Shannon’s pivotal role in supporting the ED to MED campaign and its growth over the years, we spoke with him about his commitment to advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, and the power of storytelling to effect positive change.

By Christine DeCarlo, AACOM Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager

AACOM and ED to MED are celebrating #NationalSelfieDay by encouraging our advocates, health professions students, and the rest of the OME community to join in on the fun by snapping a selfie and sharing it on social media with a caption about what issues are important to them.

By Christine DeCarlo, AACOM Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager

With the first official day of summer quickly approaching, now is a great time to plan your summer reading list. AACOM’s Office of Government Relations staff looked back at this year’s ED to MED blog posts to recommend some inspiring, educational, and entertaining summer reads. Enjoy!

By Christine DeCarlo, AACOM Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager

AACOM welcomes Mary-Lynn Bender as our Interim Vice President of Government and Public Relations. Get to know this policy and advocacy champion!

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Interim Vice President of Government and Public Relations

One hundred and seventy-five years ago, Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from Washington, DC to Baltimore. With modern technology, anyone can contact their elected officials in a matter of minutes. Use your voice to make a difference today!

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Interim Vice President of Government and Public Relations

Addressing the health care workforce shortage, and simultaneously increasing diversity among the health professions, cannot be done without also addressing graduate student debt. Hear what our ED to MED Town Hall panelists had to say about the connection between diversity and federal financial aid at AACOM’s Annual Conference.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Interim Vice President of Government and Public Relations

In honor of Scrabble Day, we’re breaking down how to turn important acronyms into actionable messages for the next time you speak up on behalf of ED to MED. Check out this guide for a go-to, easy-to-use ED to MED messaging dictionary that turns letters into action.

By Pamela Murphy, AACOM Senior Vice President of Government Relations

Every year, we are inspired by what ED to MED advocates accomplish. This year, ED to MED would like to recognize the extraordinary advocacy efforts by one of its star members. We are honored to recognize Mustafa Basree as the 2019 ED to MED Outstanding Advocate of the Year!

By Natalie Torrente, OMS-III, University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

As someone who has always had a passion for internal medicine, I am comforted knowing that programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness exist. Without this program, individuals like myself who are driven to pursue primary care may be forced to choose between their financial wellbeing and their desire to serve our country’s most vulnerable. I urge Congress to #SavePSLF as they work to reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

By Pamela Murphy, MSW, AACOM Senior Vice President of Government Relations

ED to MED’s Campus Ambassador Program was designed to give ED to MED’s most dedicated advocates a platform to help inform others on key education policies, grow the campaign, and make their voices heard with policymakers. I encourage you to join ED to MED’s Campus Ambassador Program today.