MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Join Us for All Encompassing CME

Our revamped Midwest Clinical Conference returns next March 13-14, with a full-course menu of educational fare. Because we engage all medical specialties in course development, MCC provides an unmatched learning experience. Every physician can benefit from the unique combination of clinical, legal, and practice-themed sessions.

MCC offers up to 15 AMA Category 1 CME credit hours, and 32 sessions covering 56 different topics, making the conference a truly collaborative effort. Over 20 ethnic and specialty groups, as well as academic institutions, are partnering with CMS to develop and present courses. Our partners also include the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section and the American College of Physician Executives.

The 68th annual MCC will take place at the Westin Hotel-River North, a location with relaxing views of the Chicago River. Physicians can choose from among four course tracks, including ones devoted to medical-legal issues and physician leadership.

Sessions are being developed to reflect MCC’s forward-looking theme: “The Convergence of Humanism and Technology in Medicine.” Attendees can learn how insights and approaches from multiple disciplines are being creatively brought together to improve patient care. In the best of all worlds, the convergence of biomedicine with technology will lead to a better understanding of the causes of disease and to breakthroughs in the way we diagnose, treat, and manage patients.

You can expect to hear about efforts to restore the humanistic qualities of medicine, which many believe are becoming a lost art. While innovations and advances hold much promise, the patient-caregiver relationship continues to suffer, and there is growing concern about cost and privacy issues. Indeed, technologies have for some time been outpacing our knowledge and ability to understand their ethical and social implications.

For our physicians of tomorrow, we are especially excited to host a Research Poster Symposium for residents, fellows, and students. Submissions may be one of three categories: basic science; clinical medicine & vignettes; and health policy and medical education. Deadline date for abstract submission is January 31, 2015. Please be sure to encourage any CMS students and medical trainees you know to enter their work. Posters will be displayed on bulletin boards in a lobby/exhibitor area, where the authors will be present to discuss them.

Physicians will also hear from prominent keynote speakers during general luncheon sessions. CMS will honor recipients with several awards, recognizing outstanding public service in the community, lifetime achievement, and up and coming young physicians and trainees.

Other highlights include the popular networking reception and new next year, a job fair.

We urge you to be part of this exciting education extravaganza. To learn more, visit www.cmsdocs.org or call 312-670-2550.

Kenneth G. Busch, MD
President, Chicago Medical Society