Explore TAFP’s hometown at the 63rd Annual Session & Scientific Assembly
Join TAFP July 11-15 when we host the 63rd Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in our hometown, vibrant and quirky Austin, Texas. All of the elements for the premier conference for primary care physicians converge at the Hilton Austin Hotel and Austin Convention Center, located in electric downtown.
There’s a little something for everyone here: from fine dining, live music, and shopping, to museums, the great outdoors, and family activities. Stroll down historic Congress Avenue, see imaginations soar at the Austin Children’s Museum, watch our resident bats take flight at dusk, or jog the Town Lake Trail around Lady Bird Lake. Even if you’ve visited Austin before, TAFP welcomes you to explore our ever-changing city.
CME and bonus workshops
General session CME topics presented on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday include dementia, head injuries in young athletes, tremor, and ethics. Thursday afternoon seminars, free for Annual Session registrants, explore chart documentation and ICD-10-CM preparation, pediatrics, and surgical and non-surgical approaches to obesity. Through general session seminars and lectures, attendees can earn up to 23 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed credits.
For a separate registration fee, attendees can earn more CME by adding an NPI procedures workshop or up to two SAM Group Study Workshops to their Annual Session education.
Earn 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed credits by attending the National Procedures Institute Hospitalist Procedures workshop where you’ll learn procedures commonly performed by hospitalists, gain experience in ultrasound, and attain pre-procedure and post-procedure management to ensure a good outcome. The NPI course runs 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Can’t stay the rest of the weekend? No problem. Annual Session registration is not required to attend this course.
TAFP will offer two live SAM Group Study Workshops this year, one on diabetes and one on childhood illnesses. The SAM, or self-assessment module, is one requirement of the American Board of Family Medicine’s Maintenance of Certification. At the five-hour workshops, ABFM diplomates in attendance discuss and complete the 60-question knowledge assessment portion of the module together, moderated by a TAFP member. To earn full credit, attendees should complete the clinical simulation online after the conference. Please note that Annual Session registration is required to attend the SAM.
Get involved in the business side of the Academy
TAFP invites all members to attend our commission, committee, and section meetings, which cover a range of topics: including legislative policy, managed care, public health, academic affiars, and maternity care. During these meetings, physicians discuss current issues facing their practices in each of these areas and propose actions to the TAFP Board of Directors to become Academy policy. Most meetings will be held on Thursday, with the board meeting in two parts on Saturday. A Town Hall meeting will be held Thursday evening to facilitate discussion on clinically integrated practice models. To view descriptions of the different governance groups, go to the membership section of the TAFP website.
Special events
It’s not all work and no play at TAFP’s Annual Session! Each year, Texas family physicians and their families enjoy spending time catching up at the many social events on the calendar. The festivities kick off in the Exhibit Hall, starting with breakfast on Friday. Hosted by the TAFP Foundation, attendees have the opportunity to eat, drink, and socialize in the hall, and mingle with 70 of the leading companies in the fields of medical services, products, supplies, and information technology.
A new event in 2012 is the Members Assembly Luncheon, to be held midday on Friday. TAFP members are invited to hear from the TAFP officers and committee/commission chairs about their work on behalf of the specialty, and give their feedback to these volunteer leaders.
Also new in 2012 is the Leadership and Legislative Training Friday afternoon. Attendees will hear renowned policy analysts give an overview of the primary care workforce, present demographic, geographic, and policy challenges under consideration by our elected officials, and receive practical advice from top-notch grassroots consultants on how you can advance the cause in your home district. Don’t miss it if you want to advocate on behalf of family medicine in the 83rd Texas Legislature in 2013!
Many events during Annual Session benefit the TAFP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Academy, but Friday evening is the signature event, the TAFP Foundation’s Night of Jazz and Art featuring music by TAFP leader Tricia Elliott, M.D. Art will be available to view and purchase the night of the event, with proceeds benefiting the TAFP Foundation.
One of my favorite events is Saturday’s Business and Awards Lunch, when TAFP honors the 2012 recipients of the Academy’s top awards including Family Physician of the Year, Physician Emeritus, the Exemplary Teaching Award, the Public Health Award, and more. Plus, see the 2012-2013 installation of officers.
The Members’ Reception Saturday evening welcomes all TAFP members, especially the award recipients, new physicians, special constituency physicians, medical students, and residents. It precedes the Academy’s premiere event of the year, the President’s Party Saturday evening.
Speaking of which, this year's President's Party celebrates the spirit of being a Texan! Held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, attendees will enjoy a buffet dinner exploring the flavors of Texas regions, live music from Austin’s own country music singer-songwriter Kelly Willis, and tours of the first floor of the museum. Extend congratulatory sentiment for outgoing president I. L. Balkcom IV, M.D. and incoming president Troy Fiesinger, M.D. Tickets may be purchased with your registration or on-site at the TAFP registration desk, while supplies last.
Plan your Austin getaway today!
So mark your calendar for TAFP’s 63rd Annual Session and Scientific Assembly and find out why Austin is described as casual, cosmopolitan, eclectic, five-star, techie, hippie, historic, chic, intellectual, fashionable, artistic, and weird—all at once! For hotel information, registration information, and more, go to www.tafp.org/professional-development/assa. And check back here on the blog as we bring you an Austinite’s hip tips to a great time in the city.
– kalfano