Each year the Colorado Medical Society holds a leadership election, asking members to elect a President-elect and six of the 12 members of the Colorado Delegation to the American Medical Association. These delegates work for you on the national level, and you are encouraged to read their candidate statements to inform your vote. Each CMS member will receive an email ballot on Aug. 1, with voting closing Aug. 31. Due to the President-elect race being uncontested, only the candidates for AMA Delegation are listed here.

Dave Downs, MD, FACP, incumbent

I have practiced primary care internal medicine in Colorado for 35 years. I understand the challenges we face from payers and the support needed for us to practice high-quality, evidence-based medicine. Perhaps most important, I understand the need to sustain the intimate relationships we have with our patients. I have seen the benefits and pain caused by well-meaning policymakers who make decisions without understanding the complex world we work in.

I have now served on the Colorado delegation to the American Medical Association for several years. I began as somewhat of a skeptic, having disagreed with AMA policy over the years. I found the organization to have arcane, sometimes byzantine, processes and politics. At the same time, it is one of the most democratic institutions I’ve worked in and offers a venue in which ideas, presented properly, are given a full vetting.

As the country continues to evaluate massive changes in how health care is structured and financed, the voice of the AMA is important and influential in the evolution of the health care environment. Our delegation is your avenue to express your concerns, aspirations and doubts into the process of policy development within the single largest physician organization in our country.

While physicians see different paths to a better practice environment and alternative strategies to make safe, affordable, high-quality care available to everyone, I feel strongly that a consensus that respects differing points of view can be developed and that the AMA is a great place to begin the process of achieving that. Given our current political environment, consensus building in health care policy is sorely needed.

I ask that you support me in bringing the voice of Colorado physicians to the AMA to promote the best policy options and to move them forward in national health policy development.

Amy Duckro, DO, MPH, incumbent

It would be my honor to represent the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) as an American Medical Association (AMA) delegate. I recently served on the CMS Board of Directors (BOD) for a three-year term and I have been on the CMS Council on Legislation (COL) since 2024, now serving as vice-chair. I have gained an appreciation for the importance of the CMS in policy setting, including active attention to the protection of physicians’ practices and consistent advocacy for high-quality, safe, and accessible patient care. I was fortunate to serve as a CMS AMA alternate delegate in 2025, which offered me valuable insight as to the complexities of the work done by the AMA House of Delegates. Being an alternate delegate allowed me to understand the broader context of the work we do at the state level and created a valuable platform from which to expand my future contributions.

My experience and training in population health provide me with a unique ability to contribute as an AMA delegate. One of my key learnings from completing my Master in Public Health degree was the essential role of policy and advocacy in influencing the delivery of health care and its outcomes. As a physician with the Colorado Permanente Medical Group for over 20 years, I have held multiple leadership positions, evaluating problems from many different angles. As an infectious diseases specialist, I was one of our organization’s primary leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, I navigated extremely sensitive and divisive issues in a highly charged time with adaptability and calm. Success required effective listening and communication with many stakeholders – medical professionals in all fields, elected officials, as well as the general public. I am a lifelong learner with a growth mindset and consistently approach difficult situations with integrity and honesty. During my tenure on the CMS BOD, I brought a thoughtful and even-keeled approach to problem solving. I seek to gain the perspectives of others and, while keeping the health of our profession and the care of our patients as central, aim for solutions based on reason, equity, and dignity. I take the opportunity to learn and listen reflectively while formulating opinions. Likewise, I am comfortable articulating my perspective and aligning with a consensus once a group decision has been made after thoughtful deliberation. 

We are facing a turbulent time in medicine. Critical issues include physician wellbeing and burnout, appropriate reimbursement for care – especially for those serving rural and underserved communities, continued provision of safe and high-quality patient care with relevant contributors being scope of practice and the maintenance of safety nets for uninsured and underinsured patients, the erosion of public confidence and trust in science and the medical profession, and external influences on the access to affordable health care.

As a Colorado Medical Society delegate to the AMA, I recognize that my responsibility will be to faithfully represent the positions of our Society. I pledge to carefully consider the issues we face without preconceived determinations or positions and will approach this important role with the professionalism it deserves. 

Please feel free to contact me for further discussion. I appreciate your support of my candidacy to join the CMS delegation to the AMA!

Mark Johnson, MD, MPH, incumbent

“In 2018, a national science literacy survey revealed that 28 percent of Americans could not correctly answer a basic astronomy question: whether Earth goes around the Sun or the Sun goes around the Earth. Only 72 percent chose the correct answer, despite it being a foundational scientific fact taught for centuries.” ¹

This finding is not trivial to medicine. We describe modern medicine as science-based, or evidence-based medicine. We use the scientific method to organize and apply current data to improve health care decisions. The results of this method are not always intuitive, but its application has been the foundation of a doubling of the average expected length of life in those societies that utilize it.

But science, and medicine, are under attack today. Science is frequently misused or discounted, creating a skewed understanding of reality in debates and policy decisions. The public, as shown in the study above, often has no scientific education or discernment, leading to significant vulnerabilities to misinformation and disinformation. Scientific findings are polarized by various activists and ideologues who push for conclusions not fully supported by data. This can lead to disastrous decisions that impact not only the life and health of individuals, but of the public.

In my personal statement three years ago, I highlighted issues such as the hold insurance providers have on the practice of medicine, the stagnant or decreasing reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid, scope of practice issues, and the speed with which infectious diseases circle the globe. The American Medical Association, including its delegation from the Colorado Medical Society, have made significant inroads in dealing with some of these issues, but we have much more to do. Complicating the medical scene since that time are the anti-science policies that are being propagated in most of the federal agencies that deal with healthcare and the activities that promote health and prevent disease.

Any progress to be made in this arena calls for a strong, informed, national medical presence with bold leadership. If re-elected to serve CMS on the AMA delegation, I pledge to do all in my power to push back against these anti-science forces and to represent the needs and wishes of our members at the national level. I once again ask for your support in this undertaking. Thank you very much!

¹ National Science Foundation (2018), Public Familiarity with Science and Technology Facts

Rachelle M. Klammer, MD, incumbent

The Colorado Medical Society (CMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have been central to my medical career from its very beginning. I have been a member of the Colorado delegation consistently since medical school and have been honored to serve in a wide range of leadership roles within both CMS and the AMA.

I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Colorado delegation and hold a leadership position on the Governing Council of our Western States caucus, representing Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. In this role, I work closely with physicians across the Mountain West, many of whom are grappling with the same workforce shortages, funding cuts, and access challenges that threaten rural medicine throughout our region. These conversations resonate deeply with my own experience practicing as a rural physician and continue to shape my perspective on national policy priorities.

I strongly believe that active, practicing physicians must have a seat at the table during this rapidly evolving healthcare climate. I am a full-time, board-certified emergency medicine physician practicing in the Denver metro area. The emergency department provides a unique vantage point on the healthcare system: I see firsthand where policies succeed, where they fail, and how gaps in access, coverage, and coordination affect patients and physicians alike. At the same time, my work requires daily collaboration with nearly every specialty in medicine – experience that translates directly to effective coalition-building and advocacy within the AMA House of Delegates.

Within CMS, I currently serve on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, representing the Aurora-Adams County Medical Society, where I am also President. I am Chair of COMPAC and serve on the CMS Council on Legislation. Through these roles, I have developed a strong understanding of the policy, political, and advocacy issues affecting physicians and patients in Colorado and nationally. I also work closely with medical students and residents, providing regular updates on advocacy efforts and helping ensure that trainees understand the relevance and impact of organized medicine.

In closing, I would be honored to continue representing Colorado physicians as part of our small but mighty delegation to the AMA. At a time when national policy decisions are moving quickly, I offer Colorado physicians experienced, informed representation from someone who is actively practicing, deeply engaged in CMS leadership, and already doing the work at the AMA.

Alethia (Lee) Morgan, MD, incumbent

I have had the honor and privilege to serve the physicians of Colorado in multiple capacities over the past 30 years. I have served as President of the Pueblo County Medical Society, the Colorado Gynecology and Obstetrics Society and the Colorado Medical Society (CMS). I currently Chair the Colorado Section of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I have participated on every major council of the CMS. I served as Chair of the Council on Legislation for 11 years. I am a Past Chair of the COMPAC Board of Directors as well. I have served on the Physicians Congress and the ad hoc Committee on Patient Safety and Physician Accountability, to mention a few.

I have been a member of the AMA since 1978 and an active member of our AMA delegation for 19 years. I served as Co-chair of the Colorado Delegation to the AMA for two years and now have, for eight years, served as Chair of the delegation. At the AMA I have been active within the prior Western Mountain States Conference, having served as Treasurer and Chair. I played an active role in the merger of the PacRim Conference with the WMSC into the PacWest Conference, currently serve on the Nomination Committee and as the Councilor Representing District 4 (Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana) for six years on the PacWest Governing Council. I served on the OSMAP Steering Committee for three years and am currently Treasurer.

My practice experience includes a large multispecialty group as well as a smaller single specialty group. I have practiced in both a large urban environment and a more rural environment. As an Obstetrician/Gynecologist I am at times considered a primary care and at times a specialist. This varied background gives me the ability to look at all sides of an issue. 

I have the leadership experience, the experience of listening to multiple points of view and helping forge consensus, as well as strong interest and concern about the issues that affect the practice of medicine today. These last decades have been a time of many changes and challenges for physicians. It is more important now than ever that we work together as a cohesive force in organized medicine on a local, state, and national level.  

I have a long interest in legislation affecting the physicians of Colorado and the nation. 

I believe that, with your support I can continue to contribute significantly to organized medicine on a local, state, and national level. It is for this reason that I ask for your vote to return me to the AMA delegation so that I can continue to represent you as we move forward in these interesting and difficult times.

Patricia Weber, MD, incumbent

Medical care involves many facets of life and a wide variety of medical expertise.  Some of the needed skills to provide medical services are learned in school, others are not.  The complexities of attaining a medical education need to be complemented with skills in human resources and business experience.  Life experiences also add to our knowledge base.

Although I spent approximately 13 years in metropolitan areas obtaining my education, I have spent most of my life in rural communities.  I have also experienced the death of a family member as a child, experienced life as a patient with cancer before completing residency and struggled with the changes in medicine over the past 35 years as a physician in private practice.  These experiences have given me insight into caring for patients and colleagues.  Serving on various committees and boards during medical school and residency helped me see ways to improve the educational process.  Being active in multiple medical and social organizations allows me the opportunity to continue to improve healthcare and continue to find creative solutions.  I served on our local, Mesa County Physicians Independent Practice Association when we initiated a regional medical database in 2003, to prevent duplication of laboratory exams and combat controlled substance abuse.  Currently, I serve on the Board of our local Public Health Department, the Mesa County Medical Society Board, and Colorado Medical Society’s Council on Legislation, enjoying the challenge of enhancing the health of my community and state.  

As a recently appointed AMA delegate for the Colorado Medical Society, I would like to continue the process of making medicine better for physicians and our patients.  The political process can be arduous but I am willing to put in the work necessary to participate in planning for the future of health care. There will be many exciting opportunities and difficulties in addressing the integration of artificial intelligence into the practice of medicine. Securing the physician workforce necessary to care for our patients, their medical education and practice opportunities, should also be priorities. I would be honored to receive your vote as an AMA delegate.

Harold “Hap” Dechant Young, MD

My passion is and has been my involvement in patient health care, and as a radiologist nothing has given me more pleasure than helping determine the diagnosis and aiding in the care of patients. However, I have never lost sight of the importance of the interaction with others in accomplishing this. The input, the knowledge, and the experience of fellow care providers is an exceptional “tool” not to be ignored. 

Over the past three decades in clinical practice, I have had both opportunities as well as the occasional roadblock in achieving my goals. Some, by choice or otherwise, I have dealt with on my own. Yet many issues were open to, and some required, the help of others working together to achieve the goal.

I have a unique perspective having spent the last 25 years in a rural Colorado practice. Physicians, and in my experience especially rural physicians, can feel a long way from and disconnected from state and national organizations. Many don’t realize, or lose sight of, the effort and time spent by CMS and the AMA to help provide a stable and positive environment to practice medicine. There is a sense that as long as things are going well, “why worry?” That’s where a strong AMA position comes into play. I want to emphasize and reintroduce the benefits, and the efforts behind them, which AMA provides to doctors nationwide, including in Colorado. I want to engage more physicians in the realization that AMA helps provide the backdrop for a safe, fair, and secure practice environment, allowing physicians to do what they do best – care for their patients!

At this time, I feel I have an exceptional opportunity, with the time afforded me with the changes in my own practice, to take advantage of my accumulated knowledge and experience in enhancing and helping other physicians in their quest for a satisfying and secure health care practice.

I stand ready to listen to fellow physicians about their concerns, hopes and plans related to their practices…to assimilate information and concerns, and help the Colorado Medical Society and the American Medical Association develop and implement plans of action for physicians, both at the state and national level.