Air Force Section Newsletter ~ 2009 ACM in Review

The 2009 Annual Clinical Meeting was a huge success.  Home of where ACOG was founded in 1951, Chicago was a terrific venue to host this year’s meeting.  It was great to see old friends, meet new ones and participate in the endless variety of clinical seminars, Plenary sessions, brown-bag lunches and social functions.  In case you missed this year’s meeting, below is a brief summary of the highlights

2009 Annual Clinical Meeting Highlights:

- The Cosgrove Kick-Off Lecture featured Robert Wachter, MD who discussed, in a very practical and entertaining way, the importance of continued cultural changes to ensure patient safety.

- Fran Drescher, of the TV sitcom “The Nanny”, spoke at the President’s Program and discussed her battle with endometrial cancer.  She chronicled the challenges she endured going through the diagnosis and treatment process.  Her new book, “Cancer Schmancer’ has received national and critical acclaim.

- Multiple new Hands-On courses and tele-surgery courses were offered and this year’s conference had the largest clinical seminar program ever.  Course evaluations and syllabi were all available on line for the first time as well.

- ACOG provided free materials and introduced new publications.  Examples include:  the book Your Pregnancy & Birth; physician script cards and legislative tool kits for HIV, reference materials for PDAs and Adolescent health care resources available on CD-ROM (just to name a few)

- Debate and lively discussion on a variety of issues including management of pre-term labor, use of robotic surgery, and a discussion of how OB/GYN’s are integrating cosmetic procedures into their practice.

- Lastly, the popular and lively Stump the Professor series proved to be a big hit again with four very challenging cases – they can be reviewed on line.

ACOG Business:

Highlights from the Junior Fellow College Advisory Committee (JFCAC) meeting:

- President elect Jerry Joseph discussed his presidential focus on PP depression.

- Japanese exchange students were unable to attend ACM due to H1N1 flu.

- Shingo exchange policy will change and only be sending 6 residents in even years; then 5 in odd years. Currently sending 11.

- FLOG (Future Leaders in Ob/Gyn) will not be held this year but will resume next year.

- Young Fellows and Junior Fellows are needed for committees.

Highlights from District Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting:

- The junior fellow educational fund has money despite economic downturn.   Eventually, the goal is to fund more junior fellows in practice to attend AFD.

- Next AFD meeting:   Hawaii!!!   15-18 Nov 09.  Hilton Hawaiian Village is the hotel location, and members are encouraged to get rooms there (as opposed to the Hale koa which is more expensive for officers).

- Awards: Caela Miller won the Burch award for AFD.

- Congressional Leadership Conference:  New emphasis for JF on district level to attend.  Purpose of course is to teach fellows about issues important to ACOG and then present them to Congress.

Other ACOG Tid-Bits:

- Notable Chicago ACM Attendance: 436 medical students were pre-registered and 435 JF’s registered.

- ACOG approves Update audio available to residents online free of charge.  Excellent audio series. 10-12 new ones per year.  $225/year. Contact Mark Graves at ACOG for personal direct link.

- Legislative Advocacy now a topic on CREOG exam.

- General concern discussed regarding robot use and decrease in TVH numbers.   Also addressed were the concerns about other procedures that companies train MD’s to do (e.g. Essure, Implanon).

- Look for ACOG Website design         ; if asked please fill out online survey to help give information about what you want from it!

AFD Business:

Representatives from the three Sections discussed issues pertinent to Junior Fellowship and AFD:

- Emphasis on getting involved and need for active members to participate and serve on Committees – both district, section and on a national level.

- Need to continue adding and updating the base listings developed for the Air Force assignments.

- Institute of Medicine is reviewing the 80 hour work week and need for a continuous 12 hours off – Congressionally approved body to make recommendations and changes.

- Emphasis on need for members to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for 2009 AFD.   ACOG will be penalized if we don’t rent the reserved rooms there.

- Need to identify a 2009 AFD Professor of the Year:   The list of previous recipients is on the AFD website.  Application includes a CV and two supporting letters.   Each section needs to forward at least one professor for nomination.

- JF Educational Fund:   Currently, the fund allows for three candidates (minimum one JF in practice) to attend AFD.   If interested, please speak with your PD for more information.

Hope this has been helpful – many of the updates and information about ACM are still on-line.

Enjoy your summer and for many of you who are graduating from residency or PCSing, good luck and safe travels.

Toby Genrich, Capt, USAF

Air Force Section JF Chair

tjgenrich@gmail.com