The AMA National Conference is always a very important event on our calendar, but the 2012 Conference is extra special. We will be celebrating 50 years of extraordinary success in political advocacy, policy development, public health improvements, and membership support. Our membership numbers are at consistently high levels.

Prior to 1962, the Federal AMA was an offshoot of the British Medical Association (BMA). Since then, the AMA has built its own very strong identity and presence on the Australian political landscape.

The AMA is today one of the ‘giants’ of political lobbying in Canberra, always ranked at or near the top of the rankings of professional organisations that work with and inform governments and political parties on health policy.

Our National Conference in 2012 will look back over a strong history of political influence and celebrate the many gains we have made for the profession, for patients, for the health system, and for the Australian community.

The AMA has always enjoyed strong leadership, an influential place in the Australian media, and a respected place in the minds of the public as an informed and authoritative voice on health policy and medical issues. We have initiated reform and we have forced changes to other reforms.

We want grassroots doctors to come to our Conference in Melbourne in May to share in past glories and contribute to future policy development, balanced by also having a good time and meeting new friends in the process.

This Conference will be open to all doctors – AMA members and non-members – and we are expecting to attract around 350 delegates.

Along with the traditional ceremonial sessions and the Annual General Meeting, there will be special focus sessions on Women in Medicine, Medical Research, The Health Workforce, Climate Change, Sustainable Cities, and more – all featuring high profile guest speakers.

The AMA National Conference will be all about the history and the future of the medical profession and the history and the future of the Australian health system, and all who work and receive care in it.

I urge you to come along and be an integral part of our past, our present, and our future.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Steve Hambleton
Federal AMA President