Jamie Thayer Scates
CEO, American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Jamie Thayer Scates became a member of the Alpha Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Gateway Community College in Arizona in 1997. Encouraged by her local PTK advisor to accept her membership invitation, she quickly immersed herself in the opportunities that PTK offered, including serving as a chapter officer and launching the “Read to Me” literacy initiative which paired college students with children experiencing homelessness to promote reading skills. She was named to the All-Arizona Academic Team and transferred to Arizona State University with a full-tuition waiver.
Today, she is the CEO of the American Medical Student Association, the largest independent student association. Believing that change is possible, the AMSA builds relationships with future physicians to reimagine healthcare to better serve all people. Under her leadership, AMSA partnered with Phi Theta Kappa to create the AMSA Pre-Med Transfer Scholars which awards a $5,000 scholarship to help PTK members get closer to their goal of a career in medicine.
She accepted the 2024 Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award at PTK Catalyst in Orlando, Florida.