Celebrating the conclusion of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, we sit down with John Kennedy, MD, president of the AMGA Foundation and chief medical officer of AMGA, and Trevor Maxwell, founder and CEO of Man Up to Cancer. Dr. Kennedy discusses his work with the NCCRT collaborative and its goal to increase colorectal cancer screening rates, and Maxwell shares his story as both a colorectal cancer patient and founder of a nationwide support group for men undergoing cancer treatment of all types.

American Medical Group Association (AMGA):
With more than 400 member health systems and medical groups, AMGA serves as a trusted network and resource for best practices and solutions to create thriving physician enterprises.

The AMGA Foundation brings together medical groups, integrated health systems, providers, industry partners, and patients to tackle the nation’s most pressing public health challenges.

Links:
Website
AMGA Foundation
CRC Screening Best Practices Learning Collaborative

Man Up to Cancer:
Man Up to Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. They offer peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat, a chemo backpack program, and local chapters—all geared toward improving the quality of life of their members and changing the way men go through cancer.

Links:
Website
Man Up to Cancer Podcast
Chemo Backpack Program

National Colorectal Cancer Round Table:
An AAMA partner, the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT), established by the ACS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997, is a national coalition of invited individuals along with public, private, and voluntary organizations.

Links:
Website
2025 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Webcast

In this episode, AAMA social media and marketing manager Felicia Eldridge sits down with Paula Purdy, CMA (AAMA), 2015–2016 AAMA president, current president-elect of the Oregon Society of Medical Assistants, and director of clinic services at MyTeam Medical Staffing.

With years of leadership experience, Paula shares her expert advice for medical assistants on crafting the perfect résumé and acing interviews. From highlighting clinical skills and certifications to preparing for a successful interview, Paula reveals essential tips for standing out in the competitive health care field. Tune in for valuable insights, whether you're starting your professional journey or looking to make a career change in medical assisting.

In our inaugural episode of the AAMA Podcast, we speak with Don Balasa, JD, MBA, CEO and Legal Counsel for the American Association of Medical Assistants about the current legal challenges and trends as they pertain to the medical assisting profession.

Links:
AAMA Website
State Scope of Practice Laws
Public Affairs Articles, written by Don Balasa, JD, MBA

AAMA Advisory Service Program:
The Advisory ​Service was created by legal experts, practice managers, registered nurses, medical staffing experts, and CMAs (AAMA)® who have worked in both administrative and clinical domains of health care for more than 10 years. Each member of the program has extensive knowledge of the medical assisting field and has made impactful contributions to the American Association of Medical Assistants® (AAMA). Use these service program profiles of their expertise to determine who would be the best fit in your journey to unlocking medical assistants’ potential.

Questions and requests for further information may be directed to the staff liaison to the Advisory Service via AdvisoryTaskForce@aama-ntl.org.