In a new episode of the “Beyond the White Coat” podcast, David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO, talks with guests about how the academic medicine community can educate lawmakers about the issues that will help their institutions continue to serve their patients and communities. Guests include Karen Fisher, JD, AAMC chief public policy officer; Jim Leary, JD, vice president of government and community relations for UMass Memorial Health Care and co-chair of the AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR) group; and Maurice Rigsby, JD, vice chancellor for institutional relations at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and chair-elect of the AAMC GRR group.

Episode Guests: 

• Karen Fisher, JD, is the AAMC’s chief public policy officer. She leads the AAMC’s policy and advocacy efforts on federal policies affecting the “health of all,” particularly those involving AAMC-member medical schools and teaching hospitals’ missions of education, research, clinical care, and community collaborations. An expert on health care policy analysis, development, and implementation, Fisher has more than 25 years of legislative and regulatory expertise gained in both the public and private sectors. 
• Jim Leary, JD, has served as the vice president of government and community relations for UMass Memorial Health Care since 2018. Prior to his current role, he held the same title at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is the current chair of the AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR) group. Between 2000 and 2007, he served as a Massachusetts state representative for the 14th Worcester District. In addition, he was the senior advisor to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray. Leary earned his undergraduate degree in politics from Assumption College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
• Maurice Rigsby, JD, has served as the vice chancellor for institutional relations at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) since 2017. He is the chair-elect of the AAMC GRR group. Prior to his role at the UAMS, Rigsby worked in the Arkansas attorney general’s office, where he managed the attorney general’s policy agenda while working with members of the state legislature and the governor’s office. 

Credits:

• Hosted by David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO.
• Produced by Kathy Gambrell, AAMC senior digital content strategist. 
• Recorded and edited by Laura Zelaya, AAMC production manager, and Sholape Oriola, AAMC video specialist.
• With special contributions from Michelle Zajac, AAMC digital copy editor; Stephanie Weiner, AAMC director of digital strategy and engagement; and Erica Froyd, AAMC senior director of advocacy and engagement.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

1. 2021 Policy Priorities to Improve the Nation’s Health
2. AAMC Advocacy and Policy Resources
3. More From the “Beyond the White Coat” Podcast