Last year at our annual conference in New Orleans, the Chair of our Membership Committee invited members of the College to develop and produce a session that resembled a TedTalk. Each member from across various fields — local public health, advocacy organizations, health systems and academia — developed their own career narrative and presentation to share and showcase what preventive medicine means to them and how the training enabled them to establish a career path that fulfils their passions. This effort culminated into a wonderful session that brought sheer joy to me as I watched each of these amazing professionals stand on the stage and pour out their heart and soul for what preventive medicine means to them. They also created unique slides and graphic designs using the ACPM brand as a backdrop to depict and represent their unique “brand” of a preventive medicine physician. Here is a highlight reel from that session that I hope offers you a bit of joy for your day.
The above effort is just one of many efforts ACPM members engage in to advance the field of preventive medicine and to raise awareness of the specialty. As we enter a new year (and soon a new quarter), it is my hope each person reading this newsletter has renewed their membership, understands the value and importance of networking with like-minded professionals to establish and advance one’s career and finds their “tribe” with other members of the College. We have created several events and activities that will take place in conjunction with this year’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. April 18-21, and I am thrilled with the enthusiasm and momentum the many volunteer leaders have been sparking through their efforts. The Hill Day has been capped with 108 registrants eager to meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill prior to the start of the conference and we currently have 60 registrants for the community event scheduled with various local D.C. based partner organizations to provide health assessments of the homeless population around Union Station (near the Capitol building). Additionally, there are gatherings with medical students from across the region, a resident/medical student reception and evening of fun planned, the Opening Reception for all attendees, as well as the President’s reception (invitation only) at the Organization of States near the Mall (the main park across from the White House and the Washington Monument as well as the War memorials and MLK monument). These activities enable registrants and attendees to get to know each other, reunite with colleagues and meet new friends that share a passion for prevention and preventive medicine. If you haven’t yet registered, there is still time to get “in on the action” and register to attend to hear cutting-edge topics of importance to the field and exciting sessions amplifying Leadership in Medicine and Public Health. This is YOUR event and your opportunity to mix and mingle with your colleagues, so I hope you take advantage of the opportunity to experience springtime in Washington, D.C.Be well,
Donna Grande, MGA
CEO