Committee Reports

Program Committee Report

Meetings for 2007–2008

The committee has met three times to plan the 2008 Annual Spring Conference and will hold an open meeting at the conference in Baltimore. We encourage members to contact us about questions and/or concerns about the Annual Spring Conference. We strive to produce the best meeting for our colleagues. Please attend our open meeting on Saturday, May 3 during lunch.

2007 Annual Spring Conference

The committee thanks the members who provided feedback on the 2007 Annual Spring Conference using the online evaluation form. The committee was especially pleased with the number of first-time attendees who participated in the meeting and the increased number of residency faculty who attended the conference. The results of the online survey showed that many respondents have attended five or more annual conferences. The committee pledged to work with other STFM committees to encourage new members and first-time attendees to attend. The survey also indicated that attendees want more teaching topics/presentations and more “nuts and bolts” educational programming. The committee considered these stated needs and the need for more sessions for senior faculty when planning the 2008 conference.

The 2008 Annual Spring Conference

The committee members and a dedicated group of external reviewers worked hard to review the 488 proposals that were submitted in September. We meet in Baltimore for 2 days to select the proposals for the meeting. We were impressed with the quality of the proposals and the range of topics they covered. Unfortunately, time and space limitations and duplication of topics prevented every good proposal from being accepted. Overall, we were pleased to accept 94% of the proposals. Special thanks to the committee members who responded to several members’ requests for individual feedback.

Submissions and Acceptances for the 2008 Annual Spring Conference

*These acceptances include submissions moved from other categories.
**Includes 10 P4 invited posters.

Get Ready for the Meeting in Baltimore!

Why should you attend the Annual Spring Conference? Ask our members who have attended and this is what they’ll likely say:
• Opportunities to teach and learn: Attendees will present almost 400 sessions that range from poster sessions to workshops. These session venues stimulate our members to think, develop new ideas, and learn new things about educational, research, and clinical topics.
• Exposure to innovations: This year’s conference will provide special venues, like posters on the P4 Demonstration Projects, that will allow attendees to get the latest information about innovations in family medicine education and research.
• Renew/establish collegial networks: The Annual Spring Conference is a time to meet good friends and to make new friends. Our attendees enjoy talking with their colleagues, discussing their careers, and identifying ways to collaborate.

Preconference and Special Sessions

Attendees can elect to attend one of eight exciting preconference workshops on Wednesday, April 30. See ADD LINK HERE for more information about these workshops, which range from 4 to 8 hours.

Members can also attend a number of special sessions that are scheduled during the conference in Baltimore. See ADD LINK HERE for more information about these special sessions on topics such as revenue enhancement, “Sicko,” and a P-4 Update.

Special “Pipeline” Activity

Mark Johnson, MD, MPH, and several of his colleagues will host a special family medicine “pipeline” activity for minority students on Saturday. Students and their parents will be invited to attend a special session at the conference and talk with scholastic poster exhibitors. Use this time to encourage their students to become the next generation of family physicians!

Scholastic Poster Awards

For the first time, our scholastic posters will be judged by members of the Group on Educational Professionals, and an outstanding poster from each of the two poster sessions will be recognized with a “blue ribbon.”

Tools for Submitters

The “Orientation Guide for Submitters” by Peter Catinella, MD, MPH, was placed on the Call for Papers for the 2008 Annual Spring Conference. This valuable resource explains what reviewers consider when rating a proposal and suggests ways submitters can enhance their likelihood of having their proposals accepted. The committee wants to accept as many excellent proposals as possible, and this tool should help first-time presenters write competitive proposals. Submitters are also reminded that Program Committee members will consult with them on their proposals if contacted several weeks before the submission deadline. The Program Committee can’t accept many good proposals due to limitations of time and space and duplication of topics. Members who did not have a submitted proposal accepted are reminded that members of the committee will give them individual feedback that should help them on future proposals.

Conference Partners

Ray Rosetta, Patrick McManus, MD, and David Henderson, MD, have identified a number of “conference partners” in the Baltimore area. These partners work with the Society to support conference events (eg, Welcome Reception) and make attendees from outside the area feel at home. Please thank these conference partners for their special contributions to the annual meeting.

2009 Annual Spring Conference
The presidential theme of Scott Fields, MD, for the conference in Denver is “Transforming Education to Meet the Needs of the Personal Medical Home.” His priority areas will include requirements for changes in curricula, new strategies in educational methodology, and measuring educational effectiveness.

Please talk with your colleagues and start to plan your proposals for the 2009 Annual Spring Conference.

See you in Baltimore!

James Tysinger, PhD, Chair

Program Committee
James Tysinger, PhD, Chair
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Peter Catinella, MD
University of Utah

Alison Dobbie, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Wanda Gonsalves, MD
Medical University of South Carolina

Memoona Hasnain, MD, MHPE, PhD
University of Illinois at Chicago

David Henderson, MD
University of Connecticut

Patricia Lenahan, LCSW, MFT, BCETS
University of California-Irvine

Lisa Nash, DO
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

AFMRD Liaison
Patrick McManus, Jr, MD
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital FPR

Ray Rosetta, CMP
Staff Liaison