The energy in our specialty will also be felt at HM09. Despite the recession and the recent falloff in attendance at many medical meetings, SHM’s annual meeting—the largest gathering in HM, which will occur in Chicago this month—is having its best registration ever. More than 2,000 stakeholders will come together to network, train to be a better hospitalist, and learn how to effect real change at their hospitals.
As President Obama has mentioned time and again, there are plenty of companies and organizations that continue to produce the products and services that Americans want and need, and even though we are in tough times, those organizations will prevail. Hospitalists clearly are in demand. Even in tough economic times, hospitals, medical staffs, and our patients continue to look to us for answers.
HM is growing exponentially, even when many still know little about hospitalists and what we do. With voices like Oprah, Today, and NEJM highlighting our good work, more light will be shed on our specialty. And I believe we are ready for the scrutiny and the recognition.
Hospitalists earn their keep by taking over a greater share of the management of the acutely ill patient, in working with our primary-care physician, subspecialty, and surgical colleagues, and by being strong team members with our allied health professionals. In many ways, HM remains a work in progress. Although we have accomplished much in a little more than a decade, our best days are still ahead of us.
Just turn on the TV or open a magazine to hear all about it. TH
Dr. Wellikson is CEO of SHM.