ISMA Physician Advocacy Leadership Training Program
Accredited for up to 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
October 2026 - May 2027
Registration is
required and restricted to ISMA members only.
Fee: $200
Program Description:
The ISMA Advocacy Training Program is a dynamic hybrid initiative designed to cultivate and enhance the skills of our most engaged members. This comprehensive program combines online learning with in-person sessions to provide a flexible yet rigorous training experience.
Topics that will be covered include: how policy is made in Indiana, the anatomy of the federal and state legislatures, how to track bills, how to write a resolution for the ISMA House of Delegates, self-awareness and self-management when meeting with legislators, and how to prepare for meetings with policymakers.
Asynchronous, Zoom, and in-person sessions led by ISMA’s Government Relations (GR) team and other subject-matter experts.
Training Program Schedule:
Asynchronous Learning
Physician Advocacy Fundamentals
- Understand how policy is made in Indiana.
- Explain the anatomy of the federal and state legislatures.
- Describe how to track bills.
October Live Zoom Session
6 – 7 p.m. ET, via Zoom
Presenters: ISMA Director of Government and Policy Affairs Doug Boyle
Advocacy Training Kick off
- Introductions
- Orientation
- Physician Advocacy Fundamentals recording session recap.
- Q&A
- Next steps
Asynchronous Learning
Physician Advocacy Essentials
- Know how physicians can participate in the legislative process.
- Prepare to educate and establish creditability before constituent engagement.
- Review ISMA grassroots efforts through the “Action Center."
November In-Person Session at the Statehouse
1 – 4 p.m. ET
Presenter: Pete Friedmann, Friedmann Communications, Inc.
Building Relationships with Legislators
- Discuss effective methods for building relationships and communicating with legislators.
- Understand each methodology to determine which option best suits their goals, and how to start a dialogue.
- Know how to prepare for meetings with policymakers.
- Describe best practices in meetings with policymakers.
- Evaluation and execution of appropriate follow-up to meetings with policymakers.
- Role-play a practice meeting.
Asynchronous Learning
Nuts and Bolts of How to Write a Resolution for the ISMA House of Delegates
Asynchronous Learning
Physician Advocacy Prioritization and Strategy
- Know how to identify and analyze problems or issues
- Know how to Identify an appropriate policy solution
- Assess and prioritize policy options
- Define strategies for getting policies enacted and implemented
January Live Zoom Session
6 – 7 p.m. ET via Zoom
Presenters: ISMA Director of Government and Policy Affairs Doug Boyle
Advocacy Regroup
- Recap of the nuts and bolts of writing a resolution and physician advocacy prioritization and strategy session.
- Legislative Session Update
- Q&A
- Next steps
Date/Time TBA, in-person at the Indiana Statehouse
Physician Advocacy Day at the Statehouse
Asynchronous Learning
Presenter: David Norris, MD, MBA, practice consultant and educator
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence on Leadership and Negotiations
- Describe a framework for better self-awareness and self-management.
- Gain Insight and understanding of social awareness and relationship management.
- Explain blind spots and pitfalls of the various personality styles we inherently possess.
April Live Zoom Session
12 – 1 p.m. ET, via Zoom
Presenter: President of The Corydon Group Lou Belch
Overcome Challenges During the Legislative Session
- Understand challenges that arise during the legislative session, such as addressing opposition testimony and handling controversial topics or fiscal impact.
May Live Zoom Session
6 – 7 p.m. ET, via Zoom
Presenters: Co-Founder of Brillant Marketing and Communications Jeremy Brillant, ISMA Director of Government and Policy Affairs Doug Boyle
Working with Media, Public Speaking and Running for Office
- Learn ethical physician conduct in the media.
- Discuss leveraging different media tactics to drive conversations, strategies for public speaking.
- Introduce the steps needed to plan to run for public office.
CME INFORMATION
Designation Statement: The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) designates this live Other (hybrid) activity for a maximum of 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Statement: The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Disclosure Policy: In accordance with The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, educational programs sponsored by the ISMA must demonstrate balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor. Prior to the activity, all faculty, authors, editors and planning committee members participating in an ISMA-sponsored activity are required to disclose to attendees any financial relationships with an “ineligible company” whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Disclosure Statement: There are no relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company to identify, mitigate or disclose because the content of this activity is non-clinical in nature.
If you have questions, contact ISMA Continuing Medical Education staff at seminars@ismanet.org.