A group of Colorado physicians attended the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates meeting in Chicago in June 2025. The delegation participated in discussions and decision-making on national health policy, representing the interests of Colorado’s medical community.
Several Colorado physicians hold leadership positions within the AMA. Jan Kief, MD, became chair of the Council on Long Range Planning & Development after serving as vice chair. Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD, was elected chair-elect of the Council on Science and Public Health. Carolynn Francavilla-Brown, MD, completed her term as chair of the AMA Private Practice Section. Jeremy Lazarus, MD, a former president of both the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) and AMA, finished his term as chair of the AMA Council of Ethical & Judicial Affairs.
Dr. Lazarus and Rachelle Klammer, MD, serve on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Lazarus has been elected president-elect and Dr. Klammer has been elected Secretary. Jacob Altholz, MD, completed his term as Speaker of the Resident and Fellow Section and was appointed to the AMA Council on Legislation. A. Lee Morgan, MD, finished her term as District Councilor for PacWest and Dr. Klammer was elected to that position.
The delegation welcomed two new residents this year: Joshua Bilello, MD, and Lavanya Easwaran, MD, MPH. Medical student Pritika Parmar attended as a regional delegate for the Medical Student Section.
Colorado physicians contributed to changes in national policy through three resolutions passed by the House of Delegates:
Resolution 503 defines neural data as information collected from neurotechnologies measuring nervous system activity and supports legislative efforts to protect users from potential harm.
Resolution 411 directs the AMA to lobby for protections around mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer treatment at both federal and state levels.
Emergency Resolution 1001 calls for advocacy supporting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), urging reversal of recent dismissals from ACIP by federal authorities and evaluation of alternative evidence-based vaccine advisory structures.
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist from Flint, Michigan, was sworn in as the 180th President of the AMA and is scheduled to be keynote speaker at the upcoming CMS Annual Meeting in September 2025 in Keystone.
John Whyte, MD, MPH became CEO/EVP of AMA on July 1 after serving as chief medical officer at WebMD and holding roles at several federal health agencies.
Outgoing President Bruce Scott, MD delivered a speech criticizing shortcomings in the current healthcare system; his remarks are available for viewing on the AMA’s website.
According to Rachelle Klammer: “Colorado’s Delegation is highly respected within our district and region of the PacWest. We have very good leadership in the Councils and our early career physicians, residents, fellows and medical students are very active and engaged. We may not be the largest Delegation with six Delegates and six Alternate Delegates, but we continue to make an impact.”
