AAMC

05/29/2026

What if a simple blood test could detect pancreatic cancer before you ever had a symptom?

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) may be closer than you think. Their liquid biopsy correctly identified 73% of pancreatic cancer patients — a disease that kills more than it should, largely because it’s often caught too late.

Liquid biopsies are one of the most exciting frontiers in cancer detection, but they come with real questions about accuracy, follow-up care, cost, and what a positive result actually means for patients.

This is how academic medicine , pushing the science forward while asking the hard questions.

More screenings are being developed and used to detect evidence of disease in bodily fluids. But questions remain about reliability and implications for care.

05/29/2026

Are you avoiding the “sunscreen paradox”? Ivan Litvinov, MD, PhD, explains that people who use sunscreen often spend more time in the sun and don’t apply often enough, which can offset the protection. More from dermatologists in our latest article.

Dermatologists weigh in on the importance of proper sunscreen use and skin cancer prevention.

05/29/2026

When 27-year-old Shayna Hemming, a new mom and former D1 athlete, collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center worked quickly to uncover the underlying cause: a rare gene mutation. The team of cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and genetic counselors then tested her family, ultimately identifying the same mutation in Hemming’s infant daughter — giving her a chance to be monitored and protected long before a crisis strikes.

Today, Hemming is gaining strength every day. She believes surviving sudden cardiac arrest was a gift to her family, so they can help her daughter avoid an incident in the future. “We don’t need to be scared,” she said. “We need to be prepared.”

Stories like Hemming’s show why academic medicine matters. Every day, AAMC members deliver specialized care and advance the science that protects future generations. We’re proud to count Ohio State University among them. https://health.osu.edu/health/heart-and-vascular/cardiac-arrest-in-young-and-healthy

What causes a young, healthy person to have a sudden cardiac arrest? A team of heart specialists and genetic counselors uncover the clues that led a young mother and former Division 1 athlete to have a cardiac arrest, and assess what the risks are for her relatives.

05/28/2026

“You want to leave the stage while they’re still clapping.”

That is what one surgeon said about his decision to step back from elective surgeries at age 73 — and it is exactly the philosophy that a growing number of hospitals are working to implement among their late-career physicians.

Many hospitals are introducing proactive screening programs to identify cognitive decline early, open doors to accommodation, and help doctors finish decades-long careers with dignity. The results speak for themselves: most physicians pass the screenings with no changes needed. And for those who do need to transition, having a structured, supportive process makes a difference.

Learn more.

05/28/2026

Cutting back on ultra-processed foods doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Physicians and researchers are helping patients make sense of them by offering practical, realistic steps like small swaps and simpler ingredient lists. More from AAMCNews:

Ultra-processed foods have been in the headlines lately. But what is it about them that’s so harmful? Academic researchers explain.

05/28/2026

AAMC Chief Scientific Officer Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, MPH, shared an inspiring message with the Keck School of Medicine of USC Class of 2026. 🎓

This historic ceremony marked USC’s first multidisciplinary health professional commencement — celebrating 309 graduates across medicine and clinical programs.

“There’s value in being open to possibilities because that’s where we find significant growth throughout our careers.”

As these graduates step into the next chapter, her words are a reminder to stay open, embrace change, and shape the future of health.

05/27/2026

Registration for Learn Serve Lead opens in just two weeks — register early for the best savings and access.

To help you plan, here’s a quick pre-registration checklist:

✔️ Know the registration periods & savings
-Priority Registration (Early June–July 15): $1,495
-Advanced Registration (July 16–Sept. 9): $1,695
-Standard Registration (Sept. 10–Nov. 10): $1,895

✔️ Explore your options early
Review registration details and explore the available housing options. You must register before making housing reservations.

✔️ Start your approval process now
Need to secure approval to attend? Download the customizable template to outline learning objectives and build your budget case.

Getting in early means more than savings — it means first access to plan your experience and make the most of everything has to offer. https://cvent.me/30k5K3

05/27/2026

The AAMC is closely monitoring NIH's use of multiyear, or “forward,” funding for extramural research awards.

Our latest brief analyzes data from FY 2025 and 2026 and raises questions about how this funding approach from the NIH affects grant application success rates and the research enterprise at large.

We will continue to advocate for funding practices that support a predictable, sustainable research ecosystem. Learn more via our latest “Multiyear Funding of NIH Research Grants” report.

This data brief presents analysis on the NIH's use of the multiyear funding mechanism to fund competitive research project grants in FYs 2024-2026.

05/27/2026

As part of our mission to improve the health of people everywhere, the AAMC advocates to expand the physician workforce and strengthen access to care for patients nationwide. Congress made bipartisan history in 2021 and 2023 by increasing Medicare support for graduate medical education (GME), the first such investment in nearly 25 years. These were important first steps, but our work is far from over.

More Medicare-supported GME slots are needed to meet the growing and evolving health care needs of communities across the country. That’s why we are urging Congress to pass the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 (H.R. 4731/ S. 2439), bipartisan legislation that would gradually increase the number of Medicare supported GME positions, enabling critical progress toward growing a sustainable physician workforce to meet the nation’s patient care needs.

Learn more about our advocacy: https://www.aamc.org/advocacy-policy/strengthen-health-care-workforce

05/26/2026

Looking to grow your career in academic medicine or give back as a mentor?

The AAMC Virtual Communities Network’s Mentor Match program helps you connect with others who share your goals and interests. Whether you’re seeking advice or offering guidance, it’s a great way to build relationships, learn from others, and grow together.

What you’ll gain:
💡 Valuable career insights
🤝 Meaningful professional connections
💪 Opportunities to support and be supported

Mentor Match is a flexible, self-guided experience — you create your profile, explore potential connections, and reach out when the fit feels right.

Start building connections that matter. Join Mentor Match today. https://communities.aamc.org/participate/mentoring

You will need to request an account if you aren't already a member of the AAMC Virtual Communities Network.

05/26/2026

In recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting the National Council of Asian & Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) — a national network of physician leaders advancing the health and well-being of AANHPI communities.

NCAPIP works to improve access to care, strengthen research and data on AANHPI populations, and support physician leadership across the health system.

Their work helps bring greater visibility to the unique needs and experiences of AANHPI communities and supports efforts to improve care nationwide.

At the AAMC, we support efforts like NCAPIP’s that strengthen the physician workforce, advance research, improve care delivery, and foster collaboration with communities — all in pursuit of better health for people everywhere.

Learn more:

News and Events https://youtu.be/bF-LOatx2HI Forcibly Detained, Voluntarily Professional: Japanese American Physicians During Internment In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, NCAPIP hosted a compelling webinar on Japanese American physician internment during World War II, featuring guests Dr. Troy Kaji...