Physicians

Physicians are represented by a long list of organizations because the field of medicine involves so many specialties, regions, and issues. The American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest association of physicians—both M.D.s and D.O.s—and medical students in the United States. For students, AMA helps with finding financial aid, choosing a specialty, and understanding important issues such as medical ethics. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is a not-for-profit association representing all 171 accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada, along with their students and residents. As a medical student, AAMC's Web site provides pertinent information.

For physicians with a D.O., also known as an osteopath, the American Osteopathic Association offers networking, advocacy, and educational opportunities. For physicians specializing in internal medicine, The American Board of Internal Medicine is a physician-led nonprofit, independent evaluation organization that certifies about one of every four physicians in the United States, with these physicians practicing in more than 20 subspecialties of internal medicine, including cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and pulmonary disease.

Many more organizations exist, including those that are based on the state that the physician works in.