MD-PhD Section Rules and Regulations

I. Purpose

The purpose of the MD-PhD Section of the Group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (GREAT Group) is to promote the education, training, and career development of physician scientists in LCME accredited medical schools. Specifically, the Section will provide 1) a forum for the regular exchange of ideas, 2) a structure for the development and evaluation of innovative approaches, 3) a voice for physician-scientists in shaping the policies and programs of the GREAT Group, and 4) a platform for educating the public and policy makers regarding the contribution of physician-scientists in the discovery and translation of biomedical research into human disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

II. Membership

1. The appointment authority for membership in the MD-PhD Section shall rest with the Deans of medical schools that are members of the AAMC. Where appropriate, the Dean may delegate this authority or share it with the Dean of Graduate Studies or equivalent. The Dean or Deans shall nominate an individual, or individuals (as appropriate) from faculty or administrative ranks who serve(s) as the institutional leadership of MD-PhD programs. The Dean will designate one voting faculty member, as each institution shall be entitled to one vote on MD-PhD Section matters requiring such votes.

2. Deans of schools holding affiliate membership in the AAMC (such as Canadian medical schools) and Deans of schools holding provisional institutional membership in the AAMC (such as newly developing medical schools) may also appoint members to the MD-PhD Section. These members shall have all privileges of the floor in all discussions. Each institution shall be entitled to one vote on MD-PhD Section matters.

3. The Executive Committee of the MD-PhD Section, hereinafter referred to as the Executive Committee, may appoint as Section members other interested individuals without voting rights. In this manner, appropriate individuals may become ex-officio non-voting members of the MD-PhD Section.

III. Officers

1. The Officers of the MD-PhD Section shall include a Chair, Chair-Elect, Past-Chair, and the GREAT Group Executive Secretary. The Chair shall generally serve a one-year term.

2. The Chair of the MD-PhD Section may not serve consecutive terms as Chair.

3. The Chair-Elect shall be elected at the MD-PhD Section business meeting by a simple majority of the voting institutions present and voting. Elections may also be held by mail ballot. To be eligible for this position (after the inaugural election), candidates must (a) be members of the Executive Committee, or have served on it in the preceding two years, and (b) be representatives formally appointed to membership in the MD-PhD Section by a medical school Dean. The term of the Chair shall commence at the MD-PhD Section's subsequent session or meeting.

4. The Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the AAMC President and shall be an AAMC staff member. The Executive Secretary shall coordinate the provision of appropriate staff support and assist in the general direction of the MD-PhD Section.

5. Nominations for the Chair-Elect shall be made by a Nominating Committee appointed by the Executive Committee, and such nominations shall be publicized in advance to the membership. The members may make additional nominations from the floor, providing the consent of the eligible nominee has been received.

6. The Nominating Committee shall recommend to the Executive Committee any replacement Officer if the previously elected person is unable to serve. The Executive Committee shall then make such replacement appointment, and which shall remain effective until the next MD-PhD Section session or meeting.

IV. Committees

1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of:

a. The Chair, Chair-Elect, and Past-Chair.
b. Five other elected members shall each serve three-year terms, with two new members (or three when the Chair-Elect is a sitting member of the Executive Committee) to be elected each year so as to provide an appropriately staggered membership. Any designated member of the Section may be elected to serve.
c. Three Executive Committee members shall serve on the GREAT Group Steering Committee. The three seats shall be reserved for the MD-PhD Section Chair, Chair-Elect, and the Past-Chair.
d. In addition to the eight members described above, the Executive Committee may also include non-voting ex officio members, as appointed by the Executive Committee, for the purpose of either (i) creating liaison with organizations that hold a strong interest in MD-PhD training, or (ii) bringing in expertise or points of view not available within the Executive Committee membership.

2. The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the MD-PhD Section.

3. A Nominating Committee, appointed each year by the Executive Committee, shall be chaired by the MD-PhD Section Past-Chair.

4. A Program Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee after the MD-PhD Section annual session or meeting, to develop the program for the subsequent session or meeting. The Program Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Committee Chair.

5. Other Standing or Ad Hoc MD-PhD Section committees may be authorized by vote of the Executive Committee or MD-PhD Section membership (as appropriate) with the concurrence of the AAMC President.

6. MD-PhD Section committees:

a. The chair of each committee shall be appointed by the MD-PhD Section Chair with the approval of the Executive Committee. Committee co-chairs may also be appointed from the general membership of the MD-PhD Section or GREAT Group.
b. At least one member, usually the chair, of the committee shall be a member of the Executive Committee.

7. Appointment to any committee shall be made by the MD-PhD Section Chair in consultation with the chair of that committee.

8. Minutes shall be kept of all committee meetings and shall be available to all committee members, the MD-PhD Section Chair, and the Executive Committee.

9. The role of all MD-PhD Section Committees, except for the Executive Committee, shall be advisory. Accordingly, committees shall obtain approval for any major projects from the Executive Committee, or from the MD-PhD Section membership (as appropriate) at the MD-PhD Section session or meeting. Such projects must also have the approval of the AAMC President. Official contacts with major related organizations outside the MD-PhD Section shall be coordinated with the GREAT Group Executive Secretary.

10. The Standing Committees and their functions shall be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee. Those committees no longer needed may be dissolved upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.

V. Meetings and Quorums

1. An annual business meeting of the MD-PhD Section membership shall be held in conjunction with the GREAT Group annual meeting, at the AAMC Annual Meeting, or at a general Section meeting.

2. The Executive Committee shall meet once in conjunction with the GREAT Group annual meeting or the AAMC Annual Meeting, and on at least one other occasion during the year, generally in conjunction with the GREAT Group Steering Committee meetings. Conference calls or electronic communication may also be used to conduct business of the Executive Committee and may be used, when practical, in place of the regular meetings.

3. Fifty percent of the voting member institutions registered for the MD-PhD Section session or meeting shall constitute a quorum at its business meeting.

4. Formal actions may only be taken at sessions or meetings of the MD-PhD Section membership or the Executive Committee at which a quorum is present. At such sessions or meetings, decisions shall be made by majority vote of those qualified to vote, or in the case of the Executive Committee, by majority vote of attendees or by consensus.

5. In the conduct of meetings, the order of business shall be under the direction of the MD-PhD Section Chair who shall make all parliamentary decisions. Such decisions may be reversed by two-thirds majority of the institutional voting members present and voting.

VI. Changes to the Rules and Regulations

1. Changes to the MD-PhD Section Rules and Regulations must first be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Subsequently, changes must be approved by the GREAT Group Steering Committee, the Section membership (by a simple majority of the voting institutions present and voting), and the AAMC Executive Council, before becoming effective.

VII. Parliamentary Authority

1. For matters not covered in these Rules and Regulations, parliamentary authority shall be Roberts Rules of Order.

VIII. Amendments

IX. Appendices

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