Eleven Indiana medical students joined hundreds of their colleagues from around the nation to participate in the AMA’s Medical Student Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10-11. During the event, students learned how to foster relationships with legislators through political involvement and were briefed on legislative issues currently before Congress.

Back row (left to right) Alex Clayton (Evansville), Heather Hopf (Bloomington), Kilby Osborn (Indianapolis), Lesley Jackson (Bloomington), Taylor Coleman (Evansville), Gregory Pajot (Bloomington). Front row (left to right) Kali Hopkins (Bloomington), Courtney Soley (Bloomington), Sydney Jiang (Evansville), Ellen Cotant (Evansville) and Michelle Arce (Evansville).

“We didn’t realize the federal budget sequester would affect residency programs. It’s very frightening to medical students because the funding is not keeping pace with the increase of medical students,” said Courtney Soley, ISMA Medical Student Section Region 5 alternate delegate to the AMA. “Too many medical students are not aware of what’s going on. Those of us who went to Washington have come back to inform other students.”

Students took time to discuss with their congressmen and senators the funding cut slated for graduate medical education and the cap on available residency slots.

Soley also thanked the ISMA for supporting the students who attended the conference.