The ISMA Resident-Fellow Society (RFS) is expanding its leadership opportunities to give more Indiana physicians-in-training a voice in state health policy. Applications are now being accepted from participants in every postgraduate training program in Indiana for the new position of resident program liaison. Through the liaison team, RFS leaders plan to learn about program members’ concerns and identify ways in which state policy could be changed to benefit physicians and patients.

“With representation from multiple specialties, each providing unique insight, we can be an effective force for improving health care in Indiana,” said Tyler Heavin, MD, RFS trustee and a PGY3 in emergency medicine in Indianapolis. “With the rapid changes occurring in health care, it is imperative that our physicians in training become involved in the advocacy process. 

“This will ensure that Indiana remains a favorable state for practicing medicine and that Hoosiers have access to quality physician-led care.”

Importantly, the new liaison positions enable residents from all parts of Indiana to participate in shaping state health policy, said RFS President Jose D. Mitjavila, MD, MBA, a PGY2 in family medicine in Lafayette  “Previously, the majority of the membership has been from Indianapolis. With the program liaison team, we hope to bring in a lot of other areas of practice and patient populations. It creates a more equitable organization.”

A key role of the liaisons will be to “take the pulse” of what their classmates and colleagues think about some issues, synthesize it, and help translate it into resolutions that shape ISMA policy and, hopefully, state health policy.

“Advocacy complements your clinical training and gives you a broader viewpoint on health care,” Dr. Mitjavila said. “It gives you another way to learn to be effective for your patients. It’s about creating changes to the health care system so physicians can better serve patients.”

Resident program liaisons will also have a chance to build their professional network while working with other physicians, health care officials and state legislators on shaping laws and policy.

To learn more about what the resident program liaison position entails and to apply, visit www.ismanet.org/RFSliaison.