Today, in honor of the inaugural Academic Medicine Week, U.S Representatives Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) recognized the unparalleled contributions of academic medicine to the health of patients, families, and communities nationwide by introducing a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Academic medicine—comprised of the nation’s academic health systems and hospitals, medical schools, resident physicians, faculty physicians, medical students, and biomedical researchers—is a nationwide system of medical care and innovation that serves a vital and unique role in the U.S. health care system. What starts in academic medicine drives medical research and innovation, specialized patient care, health equity and physician workforce diversity, the education and training of future physicians and researchers, and collaborations with communities to improve the health of people everywhere.
“As we celebrate this inaugural Academic Medicine Week on Capitol Hill, we thank Reps. Castor and Fitzpatrick for shining a light on the critical role that the nation’s academic health systems and hospitals and medical schools play in improving the health of our nation,” said David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO. “Through its many missions, academic medicine touches the lives of Americans every day by transforming the health care system in the United States and creating a healthier future for all.”
“Medical schools, teaching hospitals and faculty physicians play a vital role in ensuring high quality medical care for all Americans,” said Rep. Castor. “As co-chair of the Congressional Academic Medicine Caucus, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize the significant contributions of academic medicine through the commitment to research, patient care, medical education, and community partnerships. The Tampa Bay area is home to the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, and the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, where they are training the modern physician workforce and pioneering cutting-edge research. The impact of America’s academic medical centers on our health is undeniable, and I look forward to helping them grow and provide high-quality health care to all.”
“I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan initiative to honor the invaluable contributions of academic medicine to our nation’s medical research and education by designating June 10-14 as Academic Medicine Week. It is fitting that the AAMC was founded at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, just outside of Bucks County, as the premiere medical schools, teaching hospitals, and physicians of PA-1 have been at the forefront of this vital work for nearly 150 years,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The tireless work of these institutions to advance medicine through developing cutting-edge technology and nurturing the next generation of medical professional leaders ensures the United States continues to lead the way in health innovations. As we face a growing nationwide physician shortage, the need for highly trained medical professionals is more urgent than ever, and academic medical centers are essential in addressing this challenge. I applaud all the incredible American academic medical centers across our country and will fight to ensure they have the resources and support necessary to continue improving the health of our nation.”
Academic Medicine Week is June 10-14, 2024. The AAMC, its member institutions, and collaborators are celebrating the unique contributions of academic medicine this week by sharing innovations and patient care stories on social media using the hashtag #StartsInAcademicMedicine. Additional activities include visiting congressional offices to advocate for strong support for academic medicine priorities, convening more than 80 government leads from the nation’s medical schools and teaching hospitals to discuss key issues at the AAMC’s Government Relations Representatives meeting, and hosting a Capitol Hill reception to thank congressional champions.