Welcome to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME) as we celebrate our 48th anniversary as an outstanding and relatively youthful organization. Our fiftieth anniversary is coming and the planning has already begun, but let’s enjoy this moment, shall we? The Annual Meeting Program Committee has once again created an exceptional experience for you whether you are attending virtually, in person, or maybe a combination of both. If this is your first time at a SACME annual meeting, a very, very warm welcome. We hope you will see the value first-hand of being a member of this amazing society. And if you are a regular attendee, welcome back. SACME is defined by all of you. The Annual Meeting is our version of the family reunion where we get to come together to reflect on why CME/CPD connects us so deeply, while getting insights into our past, present and future.
Our theme this year is Exploring the Expanding and Evolving CPD EcoSystem. We have put together an outstanding program that explores how CPD and the health systems in which we work are changing and how we must rapidly learn and evolve to stay relevant. We will start our discussion of expanding and evolving the CPD ecosystem with an important conversation with Dr. Sophie Soklaridis, our Barbara Barnes Keynote Speaker, on building our communities through inclusion and equity. We will then spend time with our exceptional speakers thinking about how we change our world one activity at a time and reflect on some of the major challenges and opportunities that are rapidly coming our way. These challenges include the incredible advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, climate crisis and planetary health, and thinking beyond our borders to build trust and bridges to those who need it the most. In a world in which complexity and challenges seem to be ever expansive, CPD has an increasing role to play to ensure that we care for all of our patients, all of our providers, and all of our communities.
Most importantly, we come to SACME to learn from each other. We look forward to your amazing presentations and contributions during our time together. Whether you are tuning in through our learning platform or have come to sunny San Diego, we will acquire new knowledge together.
Although the days will be packed with new things to learn, let’s make our mantra for this year fun first. The Program Committee agrees and has organized many activities to enjoy. Who doesn’t love s’mores by the fire, an opening reception, love on a leash (a moment to hang out with your canine friends), salsa dancing lessons, yoga, long walks, and a chance to win prizes. There are so many opportunities to network and be together. Oh yes, and some of us are foodies and so whether you sign up for “A Taste of San Diego: Dinner with a Board Member” or explore one of the many great restaurants in the area on your own, we hope you will take advantage of lovely Southern California and all that it has to offer.
We hope you will leave this meeting reenergized, reconnected with old friends, and connected to new ones who share your passion for CPD. We hope your view and vision of CPD will be expanded so that we can continue to create a healthier world for our patients, our communities, and for each other.
David Wiljer, PhD, President, SACME 2023
Tym Peters, Program Chair, SACME 2023
