LCME: Process for Selecting LCME Student Members

Process for Selecting LCME Student Members

Every year the LCME appoints two student members for one-year terms that begins on July 1. Student members of the LCME participate in all of its activities and enjoy full voting privileges. They bring an important perspective to the Committee's deliberations. Each co-sponsor of the LCME--the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)--has its own selection procedure for its student member (described below).

LCME student members should be in their final year of medical school while serving on the LCME, have experience on a medical school curriculum committee or equivalent, demonstrate strong academic achievements, and have an interest in medical education and the role of accreditation. Consideration will be given to those students who have participated in their school's independent student analysis as part of the LCME accreditation pre-survey process.

These positions require a significant time commitment to the LCME. Duties include review of accreditation reports, attendance at four LCME meetings (once as an observer, three times as a voting member), and participation on an accreditation survey. The LCME reimburses the students for travel and lodging expenses.

Each sponsoring organization conducts its own selection process, as follows:

AMA-appointed Student Member. Applications are now being accepted for an AMA-appointed LCME Student member for 2010-2011. The deadline is January 31, 2010.
The AMA process for selecting a student member is conducted through its Department of Medical Student Services. A letter soliciting nominations for the AMA-appointed student member was sent to U.S. medical school deans on December 1, 2009. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2010. Applicants are required to be current AMA members and in their fourth year of medical school for the 2010-2011 academic year. Applicants are asked to submit a package of materials, including an application form, an essay, and a letter of support from the candidate's dean, as described on the AMA's web site. The final selection is made by the AMA Board of Trustees in April. For questions, contact Rebecca Gierhahn, AMA Medical Student Services, at 312-464-4753, or Dr. Barbara Barzansky, LCME Secretary, 312-464-4933.

AAMC-appointed Student Member. [The AAMC application process will begin in February 2010, but is closed until then.]
All U.S. medical school deans and student affairs representatives are sent a memo in mid-February soliciting nominations for the AAMC-appointed student member. The deadline for nominations is late March. Nominations are limited to one per school. Interested students should contact their medical school dean or student affairs dean to request consideration. For questions, contact Susan Mortensen, Director of Accreditation Services, AAMC, at 202-828-0596.

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