Medical Students and Residents

On behalf of the 3,100 physician members of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA), welcome to the East Bay medical community!

The ACCMA and California Medical Association (CMA) are your local and state professional associations, unified in promoting the ethics and standards of the medical profession, improving the public health and representing the interests of physicians and patients. Our ability to continue meeting the needs of the medical profession in the future depends on your active involvement as part of the next generation of physicians.  We offer complimentary membership to medical students and residents, and provide a number of membership benefits just for students and residents.

Information for Medical Students
Information for Residents

Medical Students

Why should medical students join the ACCMA and CMA?
Your ACCMA and CMA will enhance your medical education by connecting you with practicing physicians in the community and building your knowledge of the current issues that impact our health care system and the future of the medical profession. ACCMA/CMA membership provides a number of benefits, including access to free and discounted professional development webinars, full access to accma.org, up-to-date news on issues impacting the practice of medicine, leadership opportunities, scholarship opportunities, and more.
Become a Member

How much does it cost for medical students to join the ACCMA and CMA?
In recognition of the limited funding available to most medical students, ACCMA and CMA membership is offered on a complimentary basis to students of the UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Medical Program (JMP).  Your membership will continue for the duration of your medical education, and hopefully beyond.
Become a Member

Once I become a member, how can I get involved?
The most important contribution medical students can make to the medical profession is doing a good job and completing medical school! For JMP students with a particular interest in health care policy and public health, there are a wide range of ways medical students can get involved in the ACCMA and CMA.  Here are just a few examples specifically suited for medical students:

• Statewide Medical Student Council: The CMA maintains a governing council of medical students representing every accredited medical school in California.  JMP students are slotted two seats - one delegate and one alternate delegate - to represent the ACCMA and JMP students on the Council.  To qualify, you must be a medical student enrolled in the JMP program, and you must be a current ACCMA/CMA member.  Ideally, the alternate delegate is filled by a first or second year medical student, who then would continue to serve as a delegate during the subsequent (second or third) year. Governing council participants attend 2-3 meetings per year, and serve as the medical student delegation to the CMA House of Delegates, CMA's policy making body that establishes CMA's legislative, regulatory and public health priorities.  If you are interested in representing the ACCMA and JMP program on the CMA governing council, please contact the ACCMA.
• Fall Leadership Conference: CMA hosts an annual statewide leadership conference for medical students, usually alternating each year between Northern California and Southern California.  This all-day conference is a great way to get a crash course in health care policy, meet other medical students from around the state, get to know CMA's physician leadership, and hear from elected officials and health policy experts on a range of topics impacting the future of medicine.  The conference is usually held in the Fall, and funding for travel may be available.  Check the Upcoming Programs page to register, or contact the ACCMA.
• Annual Meeting and Dinner in Berkeley: Connect with over 200 physicians and community leaders at the ACCMA Annual Meeting and Dinner, usually held the second Friday of November.  This short, fun, entertaining event is a great way to network with practicing physicians in the community, and discounted tickets are available for medical students and residents. Check the Upcoming Programs page to register, or contact the ACCMA.  

• Funding for Community Projects: The CMA Foundation has a number of programs that make funding available for medical student projects.  Please see the CMA Foundation website for more information.
  

Residents

Why should residents join the ACCMA and CMA?
We know most residents don't have much time for extracurricular activities, so the ACCMA and CMA focus on providing residents key information and resources on negotiating the transition from training to practice and connecting you with practicing physicians in the community. ACCMA/CMA membership provides a number of benefits, including access to free and discounted professional development webinars, full access to accma.org, up-to-date news on issues impacting the practice of medicine, leadership opportunities, and more.
Become a Member

How much does it cost for medical students to join the ACCMA and CMA?
In recognition of the limited funding available to most residents, ACCMA and CMA membership is offered on a complimentary basis for the duration of your medical training.  This is made possible by a scholarship fund that was created from donations made by scores of physicians who recognize the importance of your involvement. To qualify, you must be in an intern, resident or fellow in an ACGME accredited training program in Alameda or Contra Costa counties, specifically programs affiliated with Alameda County Medical Center, Children's Hospital Oakland, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, and Kaiser Oakland. 
Become a Member

How do I get information on negotiating the transition from training to medical practice?
The ACCMA has three great pre-recorded webinars that are available on demand at no charge.  Each program is approximately one hour in length.  The first given an overview of career options for physicians coming out of residency, the second reviews key essentials of employment contracts, and the third given an orientation to personal investing and financial planning.  You can register for each program or the entire series through the ACCMA On-Demand Webinar Library.

Once I become a member, how can I get involved?
For residents who do have some time and interest in getting more involved, there are a number of ways residents can get involved in the ACCMA and CMA.  Here are just a few examples specifically suited for residents:

• Statewide Resident and Fellow Council: The CMA maintains a governing council of residents and fellows representing physicians-in-training from across California.  East Bay residents are slotted two seats - one delegate and one alternate delegate - to represent the ACCMA on the council.  To qualify, you must be a current ACCMA/CMA resident member.  Governing council participants attend 2-3 meetings per year, including serving as the resident and fellow delegation to the CMA House of Delegates, CMA's policy making body that establishes CMA's legislative, regulatory and public health priorities.  If you are interested in representing the ACCMA and East Bay residents on the CMA governing council, please contact the ACCMA.
• Annual Meeting and Dinner in Berkeley: Connect with over 200 physicians and community leaders at the ACCMA Annual Meeting and Dinner, usually held the second Friday of November.  This short, fun, entertaining event is a great way to network with practicing physicians in the community, and discounted tickets are available for medical students and residents. Check the Upcoming Programs page to register, or contact the ACCMA.  

• Host a Presentation: The ACCMA welcomes opportunities to make presentations at noon grand rounds programs on health care policy and public health topics.  With access to many of the top health care policy experts over 3,100 physician members of all specialties, the ACCMA can be a great source for speakers.  If you would like to arrange a presentation for your program, please contact the ACCMA.