The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) attended the 2026 American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., November 6-10, 2026. The event brought together more than 600 physician, resident, and medical student delegates from across the country to address emerging issues affecting the medical workforce and to consider proposals on clinical practice, medical education, and public health topics. The AMA House of Delegates is the principal legislative and policy-making body of the AMA and through reference committee meetings, delegation caucuses, and floor debates, practicing physicians help shape the policies that guide American medicine.

A central theme for this year’s meeting was artificial intelligence and the practice of medicine. In the opening session, AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, spoke to AMA House of Delegates members about reimagining what is possible for patients, physicians, and the future of healthcare delivery. In his address, John J. Whyte, MD, MPH, AMA CEO and Executive Vice President, remarked that physicians are embarking on a journey into a new frontier for medicine that requires navigating challenges posed by new technologies and familiar obstacles and that physicians have an essential role in influencing the future.

During the event, Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, WPHP’s Executive Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer for the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP), and Linda Bresnahan, MS, FSPHP Executive Director and CEO, advocated for physician health and well-being and provided education about the impact of FSPHP and its member Physician Health Programs (PHPs).

Highlights included a meeting with Heather Farley, MD, MHCDS, Group Vice President, Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability, AMA, and Michael Tutty, PhD, MHA, Senior Vice President, Career Advancement, AMA, resulting in renewed interest in working toward inclusion of criteria in the 2029 AMA Joy in Medicine® program requiring clear policies for addressing concerns about clinician impairment confidentially and non-punitively, including consideration of PHP consultation or referral when indicated.

A meeting with Daniel Blaney-Koen, Senior Attorney, AMA, covered updates on key policy issues including an update to AMA model legislation for physician health programs

Dr. Bundy discussed continued collaboration to support families of physicians experiencing health concerns and raising awareness of PHPs as a resource for physician families in need with Lisa Muehlenbein, PhD, Director of Programs, AMA Alliance, and Dinah Goldenberg, President, AMA Alliance.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity to convene with healthcare leaders of several medical associations and societies representing Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota, including:

• Amy Reynoldson, Executive Vice President, Nebraska Medical Association
• Robert Summerer, DO, FACOS, South Dakota State Medical Association, delegate to the AMA
• Maria Michaelis, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medical Association, alternate delegate to the AMA
• Brandon Webb, MD, President, Nebraska Medical Association, alternate delegate to the AMA
• Tammy Hatting, Chief Executive Officer, South Dakota State Medical Association
• Heather Wilson, Interim Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Medical Society

Other colleagues Dr. Bundy met with included:

• Amy Gibson, Senior Vice President, Policy and External Relations, American Board of Medical Specialties
• Thomas I. Joles, MD, Co-Founder, Insight Health Solutions, attending with the Wisconsin delegation
• Erica Larson, DO, Co-Founder, Insight Health Solutions

Drs. Joles and Larson provided high-level updates on the development of Insight Health Solutions, a new clinical case management system for PHPs.

WPHP is grateful for the connections established and insights gained at the AMA Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates as we continue to support the health and well-being of Washington’s medical community.

Featured photo (from left to right): Chris Bundy, MD, MPH; Michael Tutty, PhD, MHA; Linda Bresnahan, MS  

Photo (from left to right): Rod Trytko, MD, Washington State Medical Association AMA Delegation Chair; Barbara Schneidman, MD, MPH, WPHP Board Chair; and Chris Bundy, MD, MPH

Photo (from left to right): Chris Bundy, MD, MPH; Michael White, MD, President of the Wisconsin Medical Society; and Linda Bresnahan, MS

Photo (from left to right): Chris Bundy, MD, MPH; Linda Bresnahan, MS; Amy Reynoldson; Brandon Webb, MD; and Maria Michaelis, MD