AMA Foundation

Long before the white coat, there was curiosity, ambition, and a first spark.

We’re celebrating the Class of 2026 by highlighting a few members of the AMA Foundation community, pairing childhood photos with their graduation photos.

Explore the full series:

From Then to Now: Celebrating the Next Generation of Physicians — The AMA Foundation Every journey into medicine starts somewhere. For many, it begins with simple curiosity: a childhood fascination with helping others, a love of science, or a moment that sparked a lifelong goal. Years later, that early spark grows into something extraordinary. Today, we’re proud to highlight a few

Meet Rachel Chang, a 2025–26 Leadership Development Institute participant.

Chang is a fourth-year medical student at Rush Medical College with a focus on dermatology, oncology and health disparities. She is committed to improving access to high-quality skin care through education, outreach and research, with an emphasis on better outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Chang earned bachelor of science degrees in biochemistry and music from the University of California, San Diego. Her clinical, research, and service work has centered on cutaneous malignancies, immune-related dermatologic conditions and community-based approaches to skin cancer prevention and awareness.

She has led initiatives to promote skin health education, including establishing a partnership with Gilda’s Club Chicago to deliver skin cancer awareness and prevention workshops tailored to individuals across diverse skin tones. She also brings an interdisciplinary perspective to medicine, having founded "Music & Memory" at UC San Diego, a music therapy program for long-term care patients, and now co-leads Rush Harmony, a hospital-based initiative integrating music into clinical environments.

The future of medicine depends on more than individual effort.

Dr. Seema Sidhu’s story highlights how collective impact can support the next generation and strengthen patient trust.

Why Trust in Medicine Became Personal for One AMA Foundation Donor — The AMA Foundation Seema Sidhu’s journey into medicine began with a loss she has never forgotten.

Curious about Andy Bell’s journey and vision at the AMA Foundation? In this “get to know you” Q&A, Andy talks about what drew him to the role, why our mission matters, and how he plans to grow partnerships for greater impact.

Dive in for a fresh perspective from our new executive director and see where the AMA Foundation is headed next!

Getting to Know Andy Bell — The AMA Foundation In this Q&A, Andy shares what drew him to the role, what stands out about the organization’s impact, and where he sees opportunity for growth.

Something happened this past year that’s never happened before.

The AMA Foundation’s Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship Program awarded $420,000 to future doctors — the most in the program's history. And the Leadership Development Institute enrolled its largest cohort ever.

Behind every number is a medical student who will one day serve a community that needs them.

Read the full story here: https://amafoundation.org/updates/a-record-breaking-year-for-tomorrows-physicians

Sharing a few Match Day moments from the AMA Foundation community 🙌 ✉️

From celebrating with family and newborns, to standing alongside classmates and friends, these moments reflect the people who supported each step along the way.

We're proud to celebrate this milestone with our Physicians of Tomorrow scholars and Leadership Development Institute participants.

As fourth-year medical students approach the final weeks of medical school, many are taking a moment to reflect on the path that brought them here.

It is a season filled with anticipation and uncertainty, but also an opportunity to pause and appreciate the experiences, mentors, and patients who have been part of the journey to becoming a physician.

Leadership Development Institute participant Shravan Asthana shared what motivates him as he prepares for the next step in his career:

"I enjoy developing relationships and making meaningful impacts in patients' lives. Every opportunity to do so is an opportunity to do good."

When asked what advice he would give his first-year self, his answer was simple:

"Be present. Express gratitude often. Enjoy the journey."

Several participants from the AMA Foundation's Leadership Development Institute traveled to Washington, DC last week to attend the AMA Medical Student Advocacy Conference.

MAC brings together medical students from across the country to build advocacy skills, connect with peers, and meet with legislators to advance public health policy.

We’re proud to see LDI participants raising their voices and engaging in the policy conversations that impact physicians and patients nationwide.

What began as uncertainty became ten years of dedicated service.

Nancy L. Mueller, MD did not initially envision herself in board leadership. With encouragement from her late husband, she joined the AMA Foundation Board of Directors and served for a decade, including a term as President.

Her story is one of growth, purpose, and enduring commitment.

Where Are They Now: Nancy L. Mueller, MD — The AMA Foundation Nancy Mueller, MD did not initially set out to serve on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors. In fact, her first connection to the Foundation came not through governance, but through giving. She was approached about becoming a donor at a time when she knew little about the organization. As

From search and rescue work with the National Park Service to policy experience in Washington, DC, Nick Hakes is building a career at the intersection of emergency medicine and systems reform.

Now a fourth-year medical student at UAB, he is using the AMA Foundation’s Leadership Development Institute to sharpen the skills needed to strengthen emergency care systems for vulnerable patients.

Read his full story:

Inside LDI: Spotlight on Nick Hakes — The AMA Foundation Inside LDI takes a closer look at the emerging physician leaders shaping the future of medicine through the AMA Foundation’s Leadership Development Institute .