A member-directed, nonprofit professional organization founded in 1947, advocating on behalf of physicians and physician assistants, and for the health and well-being of all Alaskans.
ASMA's mission is to advocate on behalf of physicians and for the health and well-being of all Alaskans. The association strives to advance medical science, extend medical knowledge, elevate the standards of medical education, foster appropriate medical laws, promote friendly interchange among physicians, guard the legitimate interests of the medical profession, and enlighten public opinion regarding the problems of medicine.
Founded in 1947, ASMA has represented Alaska's medical community for over seven decades. The association is governed by an elected Board of Trustees and supported by a small dedicated staff, including Executive Director Pam Ventgen and Office Manager Cassie Jeanes, along with a volunteer board of physicians from across the state and a lobbyist, Kevin Jardell. The organization's books and records are maintained in Anchorage.
ASMA membership is open to MDs, DOs, and PAs licensed to practice in Alaska. All categories except First-Year Regular renew automatically on the membership anniversary date.
| Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular Member | $525 |
| First-Year Regular | $265 intro |
| Retired | $200 |
| Physician Assistant Affiliate | $150 |
| Residency | $50 |
| Student (Alaska resident) | Free |
| Group Membership | 20% off |
ASMA is a formidable voice on legislative and regulatory matters affecting physicians, PAs, their patients, and their practices. The association works daily to resolve issues ranging from fair reimbursement to patient safety and public health.
Recent advocacy efforts include protecting physicians' privacy in recovery (DUI reporting), opposing scope-of-practice expansions by naturopaths and lay midwives, fighting to preserve the 80th percentile rule for patient billing protection, and working to limit damage awards that could drive up malpractice premiums. ASMA also successfully advocated for "I'm Sorry" legislation, "curbside consult" legislation, and physician-friendly changes to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
ASMA member benefits include legislative advocacy in Juneau and Washington, a leadership development program delivered with a grant from the Physicians Foundation, professional development resources (webinars, conferences), a bimonthly newsletter called Heartbeat, and a comprehensive online medical directory.
The association also offers a Physician Health Committee that has supported physicians with health and wellness recovery for more than 40 years.
ASMA hosts the Annual Improving Diagnostic Accuracy in Medicine Conference. The 6th Annual conference is scheduled for May 14–15, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Providence Alaska Medical Center East Auditorium (Tower D, Basement Level) and virtually via Zoom. The activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by Providence Health & Services Alaska.
Website: For membership, advocacy, or general inquiries, visit alaskamed.org.