Chair's Message

Welcome to the Western Region of the American Federation for Medical Research (WAFMR).

AFMR is an organization that aims to improve clinical research to the physician and physician scientists’ community. Our Western section supports many opportunities for trainees, early, middle, and senior career physicians. Being a member of our organization gives you access to a network of physicians who have a similar interest in biomedical research. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to become a local and national leader in medicine and science. AFMR has multiple awards that recognize the work of its members; a social media that highlights its members’ achievements; partnerships with other national organizations that advocate for science at the national level, such as FASEB and Research!America; two outstanding journals — the Journal of Investigative Medicine (JIM) and JIM-High Impact Case Reports (JIM-HICR), among many others member benefits.

This year our region and national AFMR will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion as part of research. To achieve that goal, we need for all of our members to participate in this endeavor.

Our Western Medical Research Conference (WRMC), held annually in beautiful Carmel, California, is a fabulous place to present your work and learn more about how to forge a career in research. We had a hybrid meeting this year, which was a total success. The beauty of this hybrid meeting was that many of the lectures and presentations were recorded and as a participant you could listen to anything that you missed. Prepare to submit your work for our next annual meeting in January 2023.

We want to become the go-to meeting in our region for presenting innovative research. To achieve this goal, we have a strong mentorship program that helps trainees and early careers to thrive in their pathway. We need more leaders in our section. If you would like to participate more in WAFMR through leadership at your institution or in other ways, including being the representative for your medical school on the Western Section Council, please contact the WAFMR.

Best,

Ricardo Correa, MD
Chair, Western Section Council

David A. Stevenson, MD Chair-elect

Mimi Kim, MD, MSc Secretary-Treasurer