Abstract: Objective To introduce the role of nonprofit organizations in the administration of medical education in the U.S. as well as their governance structure and administration mechanism and discuss the implications to China.Methods Literature review was conducted to summarize the role of nonprofit organizations in the administration of American medical education, including Association of American Medical Colleges and Liaison Committee on Medical Education.Results Nonprofit organizations play irreplaceable important roles in some key areas of medical education administration in the United States, including admission of student, institution and program accreditation, licensing examination, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education. In terms of governance and management, they usually rely on board of directors for decision making. Meanwhile, medical professionals play an important role in relevant works.Conclusions China should rely on social organizations to strengthen the construction of new administration institutions as well as medical professionals in order to improve administration system and mechanism for medical education.

Key words: American medical education, Administration system, Nonprofit organization, Enlightenment