The importance of building and maintaining connections between peers and colleagues becomes exceptionally important during uniquely challenging times such as what we’ve been experiencing these past two years. Though the 2022 Annual Educational Conference will be held in a virtual environment, consistent with the conference theme of Meaning in Medicine: Rebuilding Connections, engaging and valuable networking opportunities are planned to provide participants with ways to meet new colleagues and reconnect with longstanding friends.
During the pre-conferences on Wednesday, March 30, participants can meet and learn from professionals in specific areas of interest or from similar professional positions, while the full conference brings together a robust and diverse array of professionals from a variety of GME roles and from multiple specialties.
But beyond the educational sessions, the conference includes specific networking opportunities to allow you to connect with peers, ACGME staff members, with sessions speakers and poster presenters, and on various topics of interest.
Morning Attendee Networking
From 8:30-9:30 a.m. Central on each morning of the conference (Wednesday, March 30-Friday, April 1), connect with other attendees of #ACGME2022 over your morning coffee. After logging into the conference platform, visit the Networking Room to be paired with other conference participants to chat and build connections. This is a first-come-first-serve opportunity. Attendees will be randomly paired with several people during this period.
Networking Chat Rooms by Topic
Several topic-specific chat rooms will be available throughout the conference for colleagues to connect as a group or individually via text/video. Chat rooms are designed to facilitate conversation, share ideas, spark innovation, and build connections. They are organized by specific topics or roles in GME, including:
- Conference Support (staffed by an ACGME representative)
- Technical Support (staffed by a platform (vFairs) representative)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Well-Being
- Patient Care Best Practices
- Program Coordinator Community
- Program Director Community
- DIO Community
- Institutional Coordinator and GME Director Community
ACGME Hub
Meet and consult with ACGME staff members from various ACGME departments, divisions, and initiatives every afternoon of the conference from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central in the Hub! ACGME staff members will be available in their booths, ready to answer questions and to discuss, listen, and share ideas and updates. Following are some of the groups and topics that will be featured in the ACGME Hub:
Participants can take advantage of the opportunity to speak with the staff of the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and learn about efforts to develop and curate resources to advance physician workforce diversity and build safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for physicians. Be sure to ask about ACGME Equity MattersTM and the Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award!
Staff members of the Department of Research, Milestones Development, and Evaluation will be available to offer resources and provide updates on the ACGME’s plans to involve the public more in the next iteration of the Milestones.
Journal of Graduate Medical Education staff members and editors will be available to answer questions and discuss ideas for articles, and the submission and peer-review process as well as the Hot Topics in MedEd podcast, which features conversations with JGME Editorial Board members and authors around current research and trends in GME. (Read more about JGME at the conference in a previous post.)
Visit the Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) and GME booth to learn about the ACGME's MUA/P framework and initiatives to promote the development of GME in communities facing shortages of physicians in various specialties, including options for ACGME Rural Track Program designation. We want to collaborate with you in this work!
Members of the ACGME Field Activities staff will be on hand to answer questions about accreditation and recognition site visits and related activities.
For those interested in the international arena, ACGME Global Services offers its expertise and resources to post-graduate medical education accrediting organizations and programs beyond the borders of the United States that wish to align themselves with international best practices. Talk with staff members about the important projects this team is engaged with around the globe.
The ACGME’s focus on physician well-being has expanded in recent years to integrate well-being both within the organization and through partnerships in the medical community, with the ultimate goal of reducing burnout, enhancing well-being, and helping physicians rediscover joy and meaning in work. Participants are encouraged to stop by the Well-Being booth to learn more.
Staff members from the ACGME’s Accreditation Data System (ADS) will be ready to answer questions about ADS-related topics.
Distance Learning staff members will be on hand to share the amazing range of learning options available through Learn at ACGME and to answer questions about the system, distance education opportunities, and how to get the most out of these resources.
Join the Executive Directors and Review and Recognition Committee Chairs for Specialty/Recognition Update Sessions Q and A. Watch on-demand Specialty/Recognition Update sessions in the Auditorium starting at 9:00 a.m. Central on Monday, March 28, in the conference platform. Specific Q and A times can be found in the session description of specialty/recognition update sessions.
Connecting with Speakers and Authors
There are numerous opportunities to connect with speakers through live Q and A and text chat during the live components of the pre-conferences and the published times for semi-live sessions. More than 50 posters will also be presented during the conference, and participants can chat directly with poster presenters during the Poster Hall live Q and A session. Times will be listed in the virtual conference platform.
For participants on social media, one final “connection” reminder: Follow Connect with others participating in the conference and share insights and learnings on Twitter by using the conference hashtag, #ACGME2022.
Register for the 2022 ACGME Annual Educational Conference at the conference web site and maintain the connections with your GME colleagues that are so vital to personal and professional growth.
We look forward to seeing you soon!