Family medicine’s best gather in the capital city.
By Perdita Henry
Texas’ best and brightest family physicians gathered in Austin, April 13-14, to learn the latest in CME, determine the direction of the Academy, and reconnect with colleagues from across the state during the annual C. Frank Webber Lectureship and Interim Session.
More than 400 physicians, residents, medical students, and other health care professionals took part in the yearly event, featuring an energetic exhibit hall, vibrant committee meetings, and special learning opportunities and activities beyond the CME lecture hall. CME attendees had the opportunity to earn up 17 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.
More than 100 members shaped Academy policy and discussed a variety of topics and issues during committee, commission, and section meetings. Residents and medical students attended the C. Frank Webber Lectureship and Interim Session Family Medicine Resident and Student Track. They heard lectures on topics, such as “Telemedicine: The Future is Now,” by Griffin Mulcahey, and “Family Medicine Finances,” by TAFP past president and president-elect of the Texas Medical Association, Doug Curran, MD. Resident and student attendees also participated in special events like Family Medicine Specialty Speed Dating and the residency and procedures fair.
The new class of the Family Medicine Leadership Experience attended their first meeting of the year. They kicked things off with an FMLE reception where alumni and new participants got to meet and mingle, and then they got down to business. The 23 family medicine doctors heard from Richard D. Grant Jr., PhD, who walked them through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Doug Dierking, PhD, explored effective negotiation and Gaylen Paulson, MS, PhD, took them through conflict resolution. They wrapped up their meeting of foundational teachings with a special lecture from TAFP Past President Tricia Elliott, MD, who broke down the importance of team leadership and interpersonal skills. By the end of the day, future leaders were still humming with excitement and already reflecting on what they learned.
“The Myers Briggs was a good start,” said Nihita Shah, MD. “You learn about different personalities and then you can understand what your team members might hear and how it may come across.”
The FMLE class of 2018 will have additional sessions throughout the year and immerse themselves in topics such as communication, organizational leadership, and advocacy. Their next meeting will be June 9, in San Antonio.
To all who attended the C. Frank Webber Lectureship, we were so glad to see your smiling faces and we can’t wait to see you when we meet again at the 2018 Annual Session and Primary Care Summit held November 9-11, in Arlington.