Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

♀️ This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable journey of women in medicine. From Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, becoming the first woman to graduate from a U.S. medical school in 1849 to women now making up more than half of all medical school matriculants — the progress is inspiring. Discover the pivotal moments and courageous pioneers who helped shape the future of medicine. https://ow.ly/c2EO50VgOwN #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInMedicine #MedicalEducation

Are you a medical education researcher seeking to advance your career? The AAMC’s Scholar Development Pathway provides a flexible framework to guide you through each stage of your journey. Whether you are looking to build essential skills or lead at the national level, this program offers resources to support your growth. Explore each stage and discover resources to support your growth. Stage 1: Cultivate Scholarship Skills Stage 2: Enhance Peer Review Expertise Stage 3: Publish for Greater Impact Stage 4: Develop Effective Mentorship Abilities Stage 5: Promote and Lead Collaboration and Innovation Stage 6: Shape the Future of Medical Education https://ow.ly/ORa250Vi5w8 #PeerReview #Mentorship #MedicalEducation

Curing cancer would be one of the biggest medical breakthroughs in history. But what if we could prevent cancer? This may be possible with the use of messenger RNA (mRNA). There are recent examples which highlight the potential of mRNA for cancer treatment, with potential for prevention. Researchers at the University of Florida developed an mRNA vaccine that reprogrammed trial subjects’ immune systems to attack glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain tumor. An early-phase trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reported that mRNA-based therapy has the potential to reduce the risk of recurrence of pancreatic cancer. These examples of clinical trials using mRNA for cancer represent groundbreaking research undertaken at teaching hospitals and academic medical centers across the country, many of which are AAMC member institutions. These studies only scratch the surface of mRNA’s therapeutic potential. If you’ve ever bought a product that requires assembly, you’re familiar with the basic concept of mRNA treatment. A pile of wood and screws can become a table, a desk, or a bench, depending on the instructions you follow to build the finished product. Similarly, mRNA provides instructions to cells to build proteins which may trigger an immune response to fight a specific disease. Change the instructions, and cells will produce a protein directed to a different disease. Malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and cystic fibrosis are some of the diseases for which researchers could develop and test mRNA treatments. The possibilities are endless.

For millions of Americans struggling with obesity, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have been life changing. But scientists are just starting to piece together how these medications effect the brain. And the more they learn, the more therapeutic potential they discover. These medications belong to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. One of the ways they aid in weight loss is by sending signals to a person's brain that they’re full, which lessens the urge to overeat. And researchers suspected this same mechanism could help with addiction cravings from alcohol to cigarettes to opioids. So, they tested the theory. After seeing promising results with heroin-addicted rodents, scientists conducted a small trial at a drug rehabilitation center. And those results were also promising. Patients who received GLP-1 agonists reported a 40% reduction in cravings compared to those who didn’t. But the search for potential uses for GLP-1s is far from over. An expanding body of research suggests the drugs could have an impact on cognition and aging. Find out what researchers discovered about the effects of GLP-1 agonists on Alzheimer’s patients in this AAMC News article: https://ow.ly/JmrB50VhE2p

Match Day is right around the corner! ✉️ For some medical students, artistic passions — from writing and dance to music and art — have guided their path to this milestone moment. Discover how creativity has shaped their journey to becoming doctors: https://ow.ly/SsMC50VgQYo #MatchDay #Match2025

He walked into a lab hoping to build a career. But he ended up making a groundbreaking discovery that would earn him a Nobel Prize. Victor Ambros, PhD spent years experimenting on a tiny, transparent roundworm. He occasionally shared notes with his friend, Gary Ruvkun, PhD, who was studying the same worm. A breakthrough came when the two realized their findings were linked – the gene Ambros was studying essentially turns off the gene Ruvkun was studying. This realization led to the discovery of microRNA: a class of small RNA molecules that help to regulate gene development. The discovery of microRNA turned the world of molecular biology on its head. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Ambros and Ruvkun’s breakthrough is that the public played a major role. If not for funding from the National Institutes of Health, microRNA may never have been discovered. As Ambros told AAMCNews, “The NIH’s bet on basic science is a damn good one”. Read AAMCNew’s interview with Dr. Ambros here: https://ow.ly/El0850VgNIR

🏥 Selecting a specialty requires research, reflection, and time. The AAMC Virtual Specialty Forum on April 3 is designed to help medical students explore their options, gain insights from current physicians, and make informed career decisions. Explore specialties like: ✔️ Internal Medicine ✔️ Emergency Medicine ✔️ General Surgery ✔️ Pediatrics ✔️ Anesthesiology & more! Share this with medical students who are exploring their medical specialty options so they can register for this free event: https://ow.ly/FBIK50Vg49O #MedicalSchool #MedicalEducation #MedicalSpecialty

Medical educators, want to stay ahead of the curve? The AAMC is your hub for resources on AI, curriculum development, and more. Explore our virtual learning events and advance your skills, access cutting-edge research, and connect with peers across academic medicine. https://ow.ly/QfeL50Vg3Xs #MedicalEducation #AIinMedEd #MedEdCurriculum

Do you know a faculty member who is passionate about teaching and shaping the future of medicine? The Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards recognize exceptional educators who make a lasting impact. A 2024 recipient reflects on what this honor means to them: “Not only have I enjoyed being an educator and instructor for our health professions learners, but also helping our faculty understand how they can become great educators.” 🔗 Nominate an outstanding educator by April 4, 2025: https://ow.ly/pMtB50VeG9p #MedicalEducation #TeachingExcellence #AAMCAwards

Match Day is one of the most exciting milestones in medical education! On March 21, 2025, thousands of medical students across the U.S. will learn where they will train for residency—the next step in their journey to becoming physicians. After years of hard work, dedication, and a competitive application process, Match Day marks a major milestone in medical education. Through the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®), students and residency programs are paired based on mutual preferences, making this day full of anticipation, excitement, and celebration! Match Day is not just about a location—it’s about opportunity, growth, and the next chapter of a physician’s career. We look forward to celebrating #Match2025. Throughout Match week, the AAMC will be sharing member content and congratulatory messages with photos and videos of students, faculty, and staff taking part in festivities on social media. We will also be curating the Match Day 2025 YouTube playlist with videos and a photo album with images from Match celebrations across the country. AAMC-member institutions are invited to send Match Day 2025 content to socialmedia@aamc.org. #MedicalEducation #ResidencyMatch