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Organizational Structure
In 1874, OMA began serving the needs of Oregon physicians and their patients. Since the earliest days, OMA has been a vigorous advocate for the medical community, helping to ensure that physicians may continue to practice medicine in their patients' best interests.
Even with more than 7,600 members representing virtually every specialty and practice arrangement within Oregon's borders, OMA is able to stay in touch with member interests and concerns through the close, familial relationship maintained with both county medical and specialty societies.
Over the years, the association has earned a reputation as the most effective voice for physicians and their patients in the state. The issues addressed, policies adopted and programs offered are developed in response to needs expressed by our members. A perfect example of how the process works is the tax credit given to physicians practicing in rural areas. The idea originated in OMA's Rural Health Care Committee, came through our House of Delegates and then became part of a package of legislation introduced by OMA and passed by the 1989 Oregon Legislature. During the 1999 legislative session, OMA succeeded in removing a sunset clause, and now the rural health tax credit is in place indefinitely.
OMA's continued effectiveness depends on the involvement of our members, whether expressed through a county medical society, standing committee or as an individual physician. Since the association is organized as a representative democracy, each member and related organization can have an impact on its agenda, policies and programs.
Policy Making Procedures
House of Delegates
The House of Delegates meets twice a year to review or establish association policy. Only the house may create or modify policy or amend the OMA Bylaws.
There are a number of avenues a member can take to serve in the House of Delegates:
- as a delegate from a county or component medical society, a specialty society granted such representation, or representing one of the OMA special sections (Independent Practice Section, and the future Employed Physicians Section)
- as a Trustee, representing the association’s 20 districts, or one of the special sections granted a trustee (young physicians, residents, medical students)
- as a delegate or officer at the American Medical Association level or as an OMA officer
Meetings of the house normally attract 100-125 delegates and other members interested in the business to be considered. Its method of operation is very similar to that of the state legislature including the annual election of its presiding officers (speaker and vice-speaker). Meetings of the house are open to all association members, though the right to vote is limited to registered members of the house noted above.
Reference committees, each composed of five delegates, are appointed to hear testimony from all interested members on the resolutions and committee reports submitted. Following completion of the hearings, the reference committee prepares a report recommending action on each item of business. These reports are then brought before the body of the house for final consideration and voting at the closing session.
While much of the business of the house is devoted to recommendations and informational reports from committees, any delegate or represented society may propose policy in the form of a resolution. Also, the house will consider resolutions from any OMA member.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets three times a year and is responsible for making major policy decisions between sessions of the house, electing new members and approving the annual operating budget.
The state is divided into 20 trustee districts, made up of one or more county medical societies. Some of the less populated counties have been combined with other geographically close societies to become a single trustee district.
Other members of the board include the association officers, AMA delegation, trustees elected to represent the interests of young physicians, residents and medical students as well as specialty society delegates and all past OMA presidents.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee, consisting of the general officers and two members-at-large elected by the board, meets ten times a year. Officers are elected annually by voting members (those in active practice, governmental services, residency/fellowship programs and life members).
The Executive Committee is responsible for hiring the executive director, maintaining the headquarters building, preparing the budget and overseeing financial transactions. It also makes interim policy decisions, subject to ratification by the Board of Trustees.
Standing and Special Committees
Standing and Special Committees develop the majority of OMA policy in reports and recommendations submitted to the House of Delegates and board. Committee appointments are made annually by the president after soliciting suggestions and/or volunteers from the leadership and general membership. A list of all committees can be found later in this section.
Finally, the board or house may order a binding vote of the membership on any policy question. While this formal mechanism is seldom used, the house has ordered three advisory referenda on controversial policy issues in the last 15 years. The results of such membership polls are used to guide the house in establishing or adjusting OMA policy.
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