Andrew Gurman

Andrew Gurman is an American hand surgeon and physician leader who served as the 171st president of the American Medical Association (AMA). His tenure from 2016 to 2017 focused on addressing systemic challenges in healthcare, including physician burnout, regulatory burdens, and the modernization of medical education. A practicing surgeon from Altoona, Pennsylvania, Gurman has been a prominent advocate for the medical profession at both state and national levels, engaging with issues from medical ethics to federal health policy.

Early life and education

Andrew Gurman was born on October 15, 1958, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He pursued his undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then returned to his hometown to attend medical school at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Following medical school, Gurman completed his residency in orthopedic surgery and pursued a specialized fellowship in hand surgery, establishing the foundation for his clinical career in Pennsylvania.

Medical career

Gurman established a long-standing surgical practice in Altoona, Pennsylvania, specializing in hand surgery and orthopedic surgery. He has been affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and has held staff privileges at several hospitals in central Pennsylvania. Throughout his clinical career, he has been involved in teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, reflecting his specialized expertise. Gurman has also contributed to medical peer-review journals and presented at conferences on topics related to upper extremity surgery and practice management.

American Medical Association leadership

Andrew Gurman's involvement with the American Medical Association began at the state level, where he served in various leadership roles within the Pennsylvania Medical Society. He was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2008, where he chaired several critical committees, including those focused on finance and governance. In June 2016, he was inaugurated as the 171st president of the AMA, succeeding Steven J. Stack. During his presidency, Gurman championed the AMA's Accelerating Change in Medical Education initiative and advocated for reducing administrative burdens on physicians through the AMA's Practice Transformation Initiative. He also emphasized the importance of organized medicine in shaping the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and addressing the national opioid epidemic. His term concluded in June 2017, after which he continued to serve on various AMA councils and task forces.

Political advocacy and views

As a national voice for physicians, Gurman frequently engaged with Congress and federal agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on health policy. He advocated for reforms to Meaningful Use regulations and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) to reduce documentation burdens. A consistent advocate for patient-physician relationships, he opposed legislative interference in medical decision-making. Gurman also publicly supported the AMA's stance on public health issues, including gun violence prevention and improving access to mental healthcare. His advocacy extended to state-level issues in Pennsylvania, working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on initiatives to combat the opioid crisis.

Personal life

Andrew Gurman resides in Pennsylvania with his family. He has maintained an active role in his local community, participating in civic organizations. Outside of medicine, he has expressed interests in history, music, and outdoor activities. Gurman continues to practice surgery and remains engaged in professional societies and health policy discussions following his AMA presidency.

Category:American surgeons Category:American Medical Association people Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni Category:University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine alumni Category:People from Pittsburgh Category:Hand surgeons