AMPAC Award for Political Participation
Overview
The AMPAC Award for Political Participation recognizes an AMA member for outstanding accomplishment through volunteer activities in a political campaign or a significant health care related election issue such as a ballot initiative or referendum. The award honors one national winner every other year.
Who Can Be Nominated
An AMA and AMPAC member (with preference given to members who demonstrate a history of AMPAC involvement) who volunteered during the last election cycle on a campaign for elected office and/or a ballot initiative or referendum related to a significant health care issue. Initiatives/ballot referenda should be directly related to organized medicine’s agenda.
The following criteria should be used in selecting a nominee:
- Degree of participation. The nominee must have made a significant time commitment to the campaign.
- Quality of participation. The nominee must have played a vital role in the campaign. Examples of involvement and activities include:
- Conducting major fundraising events
- Being the principal volunteer coordinator, strategist, spokesperson, outreach coordinator for campaign or initiative, maintaining a website, etc.
- Organizing a medical community support group
- Organizing local events to raise awareness of political candidate or health care-related advocacy issue
- Securing important endorsements
Previous nominees may be nominated again, but previous winners are not eligible for the award a second time.
If the AMA member is a political candidate, the individual may not be nominated for work on their own campaign’s behalf. Legislative advocacy/lobbying efforts are not considered for this award.
Submit a Nomination
Applicants can either be self-nominated or nominated by the Board of Directors of the respective state PAC for the award.
Nominations must include:
- A description of the volunteer campaign involvement
- Certification by the candidate(s), or in the case of initiatives and referenda, senior campaign officials, that such involvement was vital to the campaign
- A personal statement from the nominee, or if nominated by a state PAC Board Member, a letter of nomination by the state PAC Board Member
Nominees are encouraged to submit only these materials and all submitted documentation must be succinct and related directly to the qualifying activities.
Please note that a victory in the campaign/initiative is not essential for demonstrating the significance of the nominee’s efforts.
Please submit nominations including all supporting documentation outlined above to: politicaleducation@ama-assn.org
Deadline
To be announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who chooses the award winner? The AMPAC Board of Directors makes the final determination of the Award for Political Participation winner.
What does the winner receive? The winning nominee receives special recognition during the AMPAC Board Chair’s speech before the House of Delegates meeting or during the AMPAC luncheon at the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago. The winning nominee also receives free admittance (including airfare and hotel expenses) to a future AMPAC political education program (Campaign School or Candidate Workshop) in Washington, DC.
S. William Clark III, MD
Waycross, GA
Dr. Clark is a dedicated ophthalmologist and influential leader in organized medicine, whose career has been marked by exceptional service to rural communities in and around Waycross, GA. A tireless advocate for patients and physicians alike, Dr. Clark has combined clinical excellence with political engagement, making him a powerful voice in shaping health care policy at both the state and national levels.
He has held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Medical Association of Georgia, Chair of the MAG Delegation to the American Medical Association, and founder of the Georgia Physician Leadership Academy. Dr. Clark’s advocacy extends deep into the political realm—he has chaired and served on multiple PAC boards, including GAMPAC, MedEye PAC, OphthPAC, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce PAC.
Through organizing grassroots campaigns, hosting fundraisers for state and national officials, and mentoring physician advocates, Dr. Clark has amplified the role of medicine in public policy. His enduring commitment to political participation has helped secure key legislative victories and strengthened the voice of the medical profession. For his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, Dr. Clark stands as a deserving recipient of the 2025 AMPAC Award for Political Participation.
