PRESIDENT MESSAGE
Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
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The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual. - Vince Lombardi - |
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AUGUST 3, 2026
CSMA Summer Update
Greetings,
The California Society of Medical Assistants (CSMA) held its final Southwest Regional (SWR) Conference on July 18, 2026. During the General Assembly at the April 17, 2026, CSMA Annual Meeting, the membership voted to withdraw from the SWR group, which will no longer include sending an official representative or being a hosting state. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is not involved directly with this group of states. The states meet independently. For the first time, the conference was held virtually; many of the attendees would be serving on the AAMA National Conference Committee, and CSMA felt it would be a benefit for all not to meet in person. CSMA had approximately 30 members attend, which is comparable to the attendance we typically see at an in-person conference. Four presentations were scheduled; however, one presenter had to cancel on the day of the conference due to illness.
States Represented
The following Southwest states participated:
We missed having representatives from Hawaii -we hoped that the virtual SWR would encourage them to attend and the new representative from Montana who was invited to be a member of the SWR. Colorado state president also extended an invitation to Arkansas, but unfortunately, we were unable to connect with them via email.
In addition to the Southwest region, members from Indiana, Iowa, and West Virginia attended the CEU sessions.
Any AAMA member is welcome to attend this annual summer meeting, traditionally held on the third weekend of July. The host state rotates in alphabetical order. We are excited that Colorado will host the conference in 2027. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to earn CEUs, network with colleagues from across the region, and even enjoy a vacation while attending.
AAMA National Conference
The AAMA National Conference will be held in Reno, Nevada, September 14–17, 2026. The Delegates have received their Delegate packets and will start reviewing.
In accordance with the CSMA Bylaws, your delegates are:
The National Conference is another excellent opportunity to connect with medical assistants from across the United States, expand your professional network, and earn valuable CEUs.
Membership Committee Survey
The Membership Committee will soon be distributing a questionnaire to gather feedback from our members and non-members. Please take a few moments to complete it when you receive it. This is your professional organization. If you see opportunities for improvement, have ideas for new programs, or would like to see changes, we encourage you to share your thoughts. Our dedicated volunteers are working hard to serve the membership. Still, we need additional volunteers from all areas of medical assisting and across all types of practices to ensure we represent the diverse voices of our profession. We know you are out there!!! For myself, I feel it is important to give back to my profession and my community. One minute I am helping our local Veterans, prepping appetizers at a friend’s church, fundraising for Hospice, and volunteering at my childhood friend's farm events. I have met some of my best friends this way and made lifelong connections.
Thank you for your continued support of CSMA. Together, we can continue to strengthen our organization and our profession.
Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
CSMA President
Greetings,
The California Society of Medical Assistants (CSMA) held its final Southwest Regional (SWR) Conference on July 18, 2026. During the General Assembly at the April 17, 2026, CSMA Annual Meeting, the membership voted to withdraw from the SWR group, which will no longer include sending an official representative or being a hosting state. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is not involved directly with this group of states. The states meet independently. For the first time, the conference was held virtually; many of the attendees would be serving on the AAMA National Conference Committee, and CSMA felt it would be a benefit for all not to meet in person. CSMA had approximately 30 members attend, which is comparable to the attendance we typically see at an in-person conference. Four presentations were scheduled; however, one presenter had to cancel on the day of the conference due to illness.
States Represented
The following Southwest states participated:
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
We missed having representatives from Hawaii -we hoped that the virtual SWR would encourage them to attend and the new representative from Montana who was invited to be a member of the SWR. Colorado state president also extended an invitation to Arkansas, but unfortunately, we were unable to connect with them via email.
In addition to the Southwest region, members from Indiana, Iowa, and West Virginia attended the CEU sessions.
Any AAMA member is welcome to attend this annual summer meeting, traditionally held on the third weekend of July. The host state rotates in alphabetical order. We are excited that Colorado will host the conference in 2027. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to earn CEUs, network with colleagues from across the region, and even enjoy a vacation while attending.
AAMA National Conference
The AAMA National Conference will be held in Reno, Nevada, September 14–17, 2026. The Delegates have received their Delegate packets and will start reviewing.
In accordance with the CSMA Bylaws, your delegates are:
- Virginia Marquette, CMA (AAMA), President- 1st Delegate
- Nancy Lizon, CMA (AAMA), Vice President-2nd Delegate
- Cynthia Pilgrim, CMA (AAMA), Delegate (nominated 4/17/26 meeting)
The National Conference is another excellent opportunity to connect with medical assistants from across the United States, expand your professional network, and earn valuable CEUs.
Membership Committee Survey
The Membership Committee will soon be distributing a questionnaire to gather feedback from our members and non-members. Please take a few moments to complete it when you receive it. This is your professional organization. If you see opportunities for improvement, have ideas for new programs, or would like to see changes, we encourage you to share your thoughts. Our dedicated volunteers are working hard to serve the membership. Still, we need additional volunteers from all areas of medical assisting and across all types of practices to ensure we represent the diverse voices of our profession. We know you are out there!!! For myself, I feel it is important to give back to my profession and my community. One minute I am helping our local Veterans, prepping appetizers at a friend’s church, fundraising for Hospice, and volunteering at my childhood friend's farm events. I have met some of my best friends this way and made lifelong connections.
Thank you for your continued support of CSMA. Together, we can continue to strengthen our organization and our profession.
Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
CSMA President
MAY 31, 2026
Hello CSMA Members,
I have returned! President Lizon and I have traded places to lead CSMA. I am pleased to announce we have a new member on our Executive Committee, Julie Thomas, CMA (AAMA), BA. Julie has been a member and attended meetings for many years and served as a National Delegate. We are thrilled that she has made a space in her teaching schedule to volunteer on the Executive Committee as Trustee. Our core Executive Committee members continue to put in hours of their time to ensure CSMA continues to exist.
Executive Committee for 2026-2027
President- Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
VP- Nancy Lizon, CMA (AAMA)
Secretary- Katelyn Dixon, CMA (AAMA)
Treasurer/ Assistant Secretary- Joyce Nakano, CMA (AAMA), BA
Trustee-Julie Thomas, CMA (AAMA), BA
Advisor- Kathy Ham, CMA (AAMA)-Retired
In order to serve our members we need volunteers. Volunteers from all aspects of medical assisting. As I write this message California has 312 members. If you are a AAMA member you are also a California member. Membership is diminishing for all state societies. Currently the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) has 41 Active State Chapters. Ten states no longer have state chapters and have disbanded. Any medical assistant credentialled or not may become a member of AAMA and join CSMA.
The CSMA Membership committee will be reaching out to our members. We will be sending out questionnaires to find out what your needs are. How can CSMA help? CSMA wishes to determine what our role and purpose are during these changing times. The AAMA is wanting to know why you chose medical assisting as a career? Why did you choose the AAMA? Your response will be posted during the days before the 70thAnniversaryConference in Reno, NV. https://www.aama-ntl.org/education-and-events/annual-conference
Congratulations to all our new Graduates for 2026 and to those that have completed and passed their CMA (AAMA) examination.
Questions please send an email to [email protected]. Please visit our FACEBOOK account and join.
Upcoming events:
Southwest Regional (SWR)- California will be hosting via Zoom on July 18, 2026.
Four CEU’s and meeting.
visit the Calendar page of the website
AAMA - 70th National Conference, Reno, NV.
https://www.aama-ntl.org/education-and-events/annual-conference
April 16-18, 2027
Annual Conference in N. California. We are checking 3 sites currently. Need to be near an airport with reasonable hotel accommodations and meeting room. Some of you may have received an email from me regarding location information.
Regards,
Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
President 2026-2027
Hello CSMA Members,
I have returned! President Lizon and I have traded places to lead CSMA. I am pleased to announce we have a new member on our Executive Committee, Julie Thomas, CMA (AAMA), BA. Julie has been a member and attended meetings for many years and served as a National Delegate. We are thrilled that she has made a space in her teaching schedule to volunteer on the Executive Committee as Trustee. Our core Executive Committee members continue to put in hours of their time to ensure CSMA continues to exist.
Executive Committee for 2026-2027
President- Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
VP- Nancy Lizon, CMA (AAMA)
Secretary- Katelyn Dixon, CMA (AAMA)
Treasurer/ Assistant Secretary- Joyce Nakano, CMA (AAMA), BA
Trustee-Julie Thomas, CMA (AAMA), BA
Advisor- Kathy Ham, CMA (AAMA)-Retired
In order to serve our members we need volunteers. Volunteers from all aspects of medical assisting. As I write this message California has 312 members. If you are a AAMA member you are also a California member. Membership is diminishing for all state societies. Currently the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) has 41 Active State Chapters. Ten states no longer have state chapters and have disbanded. Any medical assistant credentialled or not may become a member of AAMA and join CSMA.
The CSMA Membership committee will be reaching out to our members. We will be sending out questionnaires to find out what your needs are. How can CSMA help? CSMA wishes to determine what our role and purpose are during these changing times. The AAMA is wanting to know why you chose medical assisting as a career? Why did you choose the AAMA? Your response will be posted during the days before the 70thAnniversaryConference in Reno, NV. https://www.aama-ntl.org/education-and-events/annual-conference
Congratulations to all our new Graduates for 2026 and to those that have completed and passed their CMA (AAMA) examination.
Questions please send an email to [email protected]. Please visit our FACEBOOK account and join.
Upcoming events:
Southwest Regional (SWR)- California will be hosting via Zoom on July 18, 2026.
Four CEU’s and meeting.
visit the Calendar page of the website
AAMA - 70th National Conference, Reno, NV.
https://www.aama-ntl.org/education-and-events/annual-conference
April 16-18, 2027
Annual Conference in N. California. We are checking 3 sites currently. Need to be near an airport with reasonable hotel accommodations and meeting room. Some of you may have received an email from me regarding location information.
Regards,
Gini Marquette, CMA (AAMA)
President 2026-2027
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