Mira Cantrell, MD, CALTCM Education Chair

It is with much gratitude to the members of the CALTCM Education Committee that I can announce to all CALTCM members and friends an impressive lineup of talks and topics for our upcoming annual conference on April 26 and 27, 2013, again at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles. (Please take note of the slightly earlier time frame this coming year.)  The overarching theme of the upcoming conference – overwhelmingly requested for by our membership – is communication, communication, communication!  Communication among disciplines, communication in conflict resolution, forging partnerships, communication that eases relationships between SNFists and hospitalists; all will be discussed in the context of long-term, palliative and managed care.

Each half-day session will conclude with “Pearls of the Day” and for the first time we will introduce the most current “Hot topics” keeping attendees “on the edge of their seats” with anticipation!  Keynote speaker Dr. Cheryl Phillips will be back by popular demand, as will Dr. Jim Lett, an AMDA Past President. Cutting-edge technology for determining prognosis will be reviewed by Dr. Eric Widera of UCSF and GeriPal.  These are just a couple of teasers, and you can expect more of the lineup to be revealed in the months to come.

As the Chair of the Education Committee, I am personally inviting all members and guests to our upcoming annual meeting. I am sure you will delight in listening to the dynamic and engaging presenters while being encouraged to actively participate and contribute to discussions. We hope you will come away with new ideas and plans for improving care and safety in your home institutions.