I just finished reading "House of God" and this was one of the last pieces of advice the Fat Man gave to Dr. Basch. I think its good advice for all of us to-be doctors to heed. Fewer than 30% of practicing physicians belong to the AMA now but it's up to us medical students to turn around that trend. With all the change going on in healthcare, especially this dangerous notion that the online-trained "Doctor-Nurses" can replace an MD, I think the AMA and our state medical associations are our greatest hope in ensuring physician leadership of healthcare and, consequently, real patient safety. I intend to actively encourage my classmates to join the AMA and my state's medical association and I encourage all of you to do the same. Your future and, more importantly, the health and well-being of your patients depends on it.