MMA Member Appointed to AMPAC Board

November 21, 2024

MMA member Mary Lawrence, MD, was recently appointed to AMPAC, the AMA’s political action committee board.  

Lawrence, an ophthalmologist in Minneapolis, has been heavily involved in advocacy on many fronts, including membership on the board of trustees for MMA’s political action committee, MEDPAC. Lawrence’s involvement in advocacy also includes a bid for the DFL endorsement for Congressional District 3 in 2016. 

Mary Lawrence, MD

In her experience in state and federal advocacy, Lawrence has been an active champion for patient safety, most recently regarding optometric scope of practice proposals. This includes work on a 2024 bill that would lift existing statutory caps on optometric prescribing of oral antiviral drugs, steroids, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, among others. The proposal also authorizes optometrists to perform some surgical procedures, including needling in and around the eye. The MMA along with multiple other medical societies, have opposed this legislative proposal. The bill is expected to be reintroduced when the legislature convenes in St. Paul on January 14. 

“Optometrists are currently attempting to pass legislation allowing them to practice medicine outside their training and expertise,” said Lawrence when she was highlighted as one of MMA’s Advocacy Champions last year. “I am working with my ophthalmologist colleagues to do our best to preserve the sight of Minnesotans.” 

In addition, Lawrence has been an advocate for increased healthcare access and enabling physicians to be leaders in their communities. 

“I always make it a point to deliver a message of ‘patients first’ and ‘physician-led excellence in medical care’ to the candidates for office,” Lawrence said. 

The AMPAC Board of Directors is made up of 12 physicians from across the country. AMPAC accepts voluntary contributions from members of its parent organization, to then support candidates for political office.