Official Invitation Package

Content

Introduction I. President’s Letter

II. Letter from Organizing Committee

Programming IV. Theme: Advocacy & The Physician-in-Training

V. Venue and Accommodation VI. Social Program

VII. PreGAs VIII. PostGA - AMSA’s Annual Convention

Registration and Logistics

IX. Registration (Quota, Deadlines, Fees, Payment Details) X. Visas

XI. Travel

Contact XII. MM2013 USA Organizing Committee

XIII. Contact AMSA-USA

I. Letter from our National President, AMSA-USA

September 5, 2012 Dear IFMSA Leaders, It is with great excitement and anticipation that we invite you to join us for March Meeting 2013 USA, March 5-17, 2013. For nearly a year, our Organizing Committee has been working hard to ensure delegates have a unique and unforgettable U.S. experience. Much like IFMSA, for more than sixty years, AMSA-USA has inspired future physicians through education and advocacy. In this context, our theme, Advocacy and the Physician-in-Training, has been selected in the hope of celebrating our past - and future - by promoting the value and importance of physician advocacy in improving health worldwide. In addition to thematic programming and training throughout MM 2013 USA, we also hope to provide ample opportunities for action on the global health issues about which we - as medical student leaders, as national member organizations and as a Federation - are most passionate. From access to medicines to global health workforce to social determinants of health to universal health care, it is critical that we, as the next generation of physicians, come together to make our voices heard. On behalf of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA-USA) and the MM 2013 USA Organizing Committee, we welcome you to the United States. As you prepare for MM 2013 USA, if the Organizing Committee can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely,

Elizabeth Wiley, MD, JD, MPH National President, AMSA-USA Honorary Co-Chair, MM2013 USA Organizing Committee pres@amsa.org

II. Letter from the Organizing Committee

September 5. 2012 Dear IFMSA and other leaders, What an honor it is for AMSA-USA to be hosting next March’s IFMSA General Assembly. Over the past ten months, the organizing committee has been envigorously working to ensure a world-class event. We are expecting this to be a general assembly for the record books with anticipation for 2,500 attendees during the overlap. With this in mind, there is great potential for this event to change the federation. In terms of our theme, Advocacy & The Physician-in-Training, our attendees will gain the tools necessary to go back to their local communities and voice change. Think Global, Act Local. There could not be a more exciting message to get out in this ever-changing world health system. This being the first time AMSA-USA hosts a general assembly, be prepared for a historic and special event. This is one that no one will want to miss. We are looking forward to bringing everyone to Washington DC; and even more excited to foster a more world-healthy future. In good health,

Kyle Swinsky & Jerry Abraham, MPH Co-Chair MM2013 USA Organizing Committee MM2013@amsa.org or kswinsky@amsa.org

IV. Advocacy & The Physician-in-Training AMSA-USA’s MM2013 theme, Advocacy and the Physician-in-Training, represents our hope to further empower our capable IFMSA members with tools to improve health care by using our public voice to shape the policies that influence our profession. AMSA has a long history of attracting speakers who are leaders in public policy, government, or their respective scientific fields; with the additional influence of IFMSA, we expect to draw world-class speakers to MM2013. PreGAs March 5-9, 2013

General Assembly March 9-15, 2013

PostGA (AMSA-USA National Convention) March 14-17, 2013

For attendees who already have causes which they are passionate about, we will coordinate hands-on workshops for attendees to gain advocacy training with a specific focus on key issues in global health, professional development, medical professionalism, student well-being, public health, and more.

This event will be a historic as we hope to bring together more than 2,500 health students for the IFMSA General Assembly and AMSA-USA’s National Convention. The General Assembly will be held at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel and Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

As part of the General Assembly theme of Advocacy & the Physician-in-Training, programming sessions with address:

• Access to Medicines & Conflict of Interest

• Global Health Workforce • Social Determinants of Health • Comparative Health Systems • Global Health Governance • Innovations in Global Health

MM 2013 USA will also feature:

• Opening Ceremony • Closing Ceremony featuring speakers such as Patch Adams, MD • IFMSA Project Fair • IFMSA Standing Committee Sessions • Health Innovations Fair • Training Sessions

V. Venue and Accommodations

The Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel is our official General Assembly hotel

and conference venue. The hotel is located in a vibrant business center alive with

activities, wide variety of restaurants and shops to explore. Just a short walk to

the Inner Harbor, you can experience Baltimore’s exciting life and entertainment.

With over 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 706 guest rooms, our

venue can accommodate conferences from 1,000 people or more.

Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel

101 West Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21201-3757

Telephone: 410-752-1100

V. Venue and Accommodations (continued)

We also will be hosting our General Assembly concurrently with AMSA’s Annual

Convention at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

On Thursday, March 14, IFMSA delegates will be provided transportation to the

Convention Center from the Sheraton.

VI. Social Program

Our social program will be a unique twist on the typical IFMSA General Assembly in that we hope to offer options tailored to our entire diverse federation. We will surprise you with our glitz and glam by bringing you a memorable nightlife experience, capture your hearts by showcasing our many cultures and unique heritages that our the fabric of our country, and inspire your creatively, spiritually and intellectually by offering you a taste of every aspect of Washington D.C. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable U.S.A. experience

VII. PreGAs

Based on feedback from NMOs, MM2013 USA will offer preGAs in two locations: DC/Baltimore and New York City. By offering a selection of pre-GA locations, our hope is to enable delegates to experience the diverse culture of the United States. PrreGA dates and fees can be found elsewhere in this document.

VIII. Post-GA: AMSA-USA’s National Convention

Have you completed a project in the last year and

want to showcase your work to your peers and

mentors? As part of the Post-GA, IFMSA delegates

are invited to submit their work to the AMSA-USA’s

18th Annual Competitive Poster Session. Deadlines

for abstract submission are October 1, 2012 and

November 1, 2012.

AMSA-USA’s Annual Convention also

features a residency and specialty fair as

well as fantastic programming tracks

including: Career & Professional

Development; International Health;

Professionalism, Wellness & Society;

Advocacy and Public Health.

You will not want to miss AMSA-USA’s Annual Convention.

IX. Registration

Registration is scheduled to open by Saturday, September 8 and will be accessible

via the MM 2013 USA website.

Early Registration Fees

DEADLINE: December 15, 2012

A + B Countries: $131.12

C + D Countries: $236.02 + $13.13 (TAF)

E + F Countries: $301.58 + $32.78 (TAF)

Late Registration Fees

DEADLINE: January 15, 2013

A + B Countries: $386.81 + $32.78 (8+ Tax)

C + D Countries: $472.04 + $13.13 (TAF) +

$32.78 (8+ Tax)

E + F Countries: $557.26 + $32.78 (TAF) +

$32.78 (8+ Tax)

Observers/Externals will be subject to the late registration fee corresponding with

their country of origin.

PreGA Fees

DC/Baltimore: $395.00

New York City: $495.00

For information about the

country categories, visit World

Bank Country Classifications.

NMO Presidents will receive notification of each delegate’s registration. NMO

Presidents must approve each delegate in the registration system before

delegates will be officially registered. Payment for delegates should be

coordinated through NMOs. Special thanks to Ben Skov Kaas-Hansen and IMCC-

Denmark for assistance with the MM 2013 USA registration system.

X. Visas

A valid passport is required for all persons (regardless of nationality) to enter the

United States. In addition, citizens from other nations visiting the United States

must obtain a visitor visa (B1/B2) unless they are from one of the 36 countries

eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. We have provided general guidance and

resources to assist you, but ultimately it is your responsibility to find out the

requirements and obtain entry to the U.S.

Group A

Delegates from these countries MUST

obtain a visa. Delegates from the NMOs

are advised to apply for a visa at least 90

days in advance of MM2013. For delegates

requiring a letter of invitation, the OC will

coordinate appropriate documentation.

Wait times and visa processing times are

available at

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wai

t_4638.html.

Foreign nationals who need an entry visa are requested to apply to the U.S.

Embassy in their countries.

Please consider the following steps:

1. Check your passport. It should be at least six months valid after your

departure in the U.S.

2. Review your visa status and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.

3. If you need a visa, visit the U.S. Department of State website for specific

instructions.

4. Review the visa wait time information for interview appointments and visa

process at the U.S. Each country has different wait time and visa

requirements. It is suggested that you also call the U.S. Embassy, explain

the purpose of your visit and verify the specific requirements. If an

invitation letter is required, ask if IFMSA should send it directly to the U.S.

Embassy or if this can be presented during the interview. The invitation

letter will be sent out two weeks after completing registration.

5. Complete visa application and set up your interview appointment. Be

prepared to bring the all required documents during the interview.

We highly recommend that you visit www.travel.state.gov for additional

information and plan on applying for a visa at least three months before arrival in

the U.S. Some countries require additional time for visa processing.

Group B: Delegates from these countries are eligible for the Visa Waiver

Program and do not require a visa.

Group C: Delegates from these countries do not require a traditional visa.

Delegates from Mexico will require a DSP-150 (Boarding Crossing Card/”Laser”

visa + B1/B2 visa).

XI. Travel

All delegates are encouraged to fly into Baltimore-Washington International

Airport (BWI). BWI is served by many international carriers. Transportation

to/from the MM 2013 USA venue will only be provided to/from BWI by the OC

for delegates.

Please Note: Delegates flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Dulles

International Airport (IAD) will be responsible for transportation to/from the MM

2013 venue. The OC will not provide transportation to/from these airports.

XII. MM2013 USA Organizing Committee

Elizabeth Wiley, MD, JD, MPH, AMSA National President & Honorary Chair

Jerry P Abraham, MPH, MM2013 USA Co-Chair & CEO

Kyle Swinsky, MM2013 USA Co-Chair & COO

Dan Rhee, AMSA-USA Secretary General

Samy Bendjemil, Programming

Krithi Srinivasan, Visas Jim Curry, Marketing & Communications

Nida Degesys, Registration Sonny Patel, Development Support

Chris Alonzo & Cydney Meyer, Social & Hospitality Laura Bertani, Alumni

Jaime Thayer (staff), Development Diana Leckie (staff), GA Coordinator

Margaret Jambrosky (staff), Pre-GA Coordinator Jeff Koetje, MD (staff), Programming

Sandy Fridy (staff), Sponsorship & Finances

X. Contact Us

American Medical Student Association

45610 Woodland Road - Suite 300, Sterling, Virginia 20166

Phone: (703) 620-6600 Fax: (703) 620-6445

MM2013 USA | Jerry P Abraham, MPH and Kyle Swinsky

mm2013usa@amsa.org and kswinsky@amsa.org

Elizabeth Wiley, AMSA-USA National President – pres@amsa.org

Dan Rhee, AMSA-USA Secretary General – sg@amsa.org

Krithi Srivanson, Visas – visas@amsa.org

Nida Degesys. Registration – mm2013reg@amsa.org

Jim Curry, Marketing - nore@amsa.org

Samy Bendjemil, Programming – global.socialaction@amsa.org

Chris Alonzo & Cydney Meyer, Social – gender.programming@amsa.org

Sonny Patel, Development – sonnypatel@gmail.com

Laura Bertani, Alumni – asg@amsa.org

AMSA Event & Business Development

Jamie Thayer jthayer@amsa.org

Diana Leckie dleckie@amsa.org

Margaret Jamborsky mjamborsky@amsa.org

Sandy Fridy fridy@amsa.org

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