Keck School of Medicine of USC students and residents advocate for patients at the California State Capitol

Ten Keck School of Medicine of USC medical students and two family medicine residents traveled to Sacramento in March 2026 to participate in the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) All Member Advocacy Meeting (AMAM) and Lobby Day, held March 14 – 16. The annual event brings together family physicians, a resolution hearing, officer elections and direct legislative engagement. The Keck School of Medicine arrived as the largest student and resident delegation from any institution in attendance.

During Lobby Day, students and residents met with representatives at the California State Capitol to advocate for legislation that would help improve patients’ reliable access to medications and expand funding for primary care residency training, particularly for trainees from underserved backgrounds who plan to return and serve their communities as physicians.

Keck School of Medicine students and residents authored eight of the 40 resolutions submitted to AMAM this year, addressing issues such as immigrant health, vaccine education, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and student loans. Members of the CAFP expressed support for all USC-authored resolutions, many of which were recommended for adoption or adoption with amendments.

A first-year medical student, Ashna Kumar, testified on the floor on behalf of a resolution she co-wrote with fellow medical students to enhance education around and support for immigrant health.

Special thanks to Valerie Otti, a third-year family medicine resident, and Avery Uriostegui-Muniz, a fourth-year medical student, who represented the Keck School of Medicine as the CAFP Resident Co-Chair and Student Co-Chair, respectively.