The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) will present “Putting the Joy Back Into Medicine,” its 2017 Annual Conference, on Saturday, October 28, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. at Portland’s The Nines Hotel, 525 SW Morrison Street.
Registration is $100 for OMA members, $150 for nonmembers, with special $30 admission for medical students and physician assistant students. Advance tickets are available online at theOMA.org/conference
The event is intended for medical professionals and the staff members who support clinics, hospitals and medical practices.
OMA CEO Bryan Boehringer says that the prospect of finding joy in the practice of medicine is becoming increasingly difficult, but that even in the face of divisive conversations taking place throughout American culture and society, this year the OMA will aim to bring weary medical providers a sorely-needed message of optimism.
“There are many reasons finding joy has become a hot topic, but probably the most concerning is the ever-increasing rate of burnout experienced by healthcare professionals,” said Boehringer. “The Oregon Medical Association is uniquely positioned to help medical providers rediscover why they entered their profession, and we cannot wait to share the day’s programming with our members and guests.”
Conference content is designed to remind attendees why they entered the practice of medicine in the first place, and to reinvigorate attendees with motivating, high-energy speakers. Broad themes and topics of the event will include: community engagement and team-building; advocating for the medical profession and for patients; mentorship and leadership; provider wellness and resiliency; narrative medicine and storytelling as a part of practice; and change management.
Keynote speakers will include:
- Elizabeth Lahti, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, presenting her narrative medicine talk “Show Me Your Story and I’ll Show You Mine” at 8:45 a.m.
- Michael Tutty, PhD, MHA, Vice President Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability for the American Medical Association, presenting his talk “What Makes Clinicians Happy?” at 1:50 p.m.
The event will also feature appearances by elected officials who hail from medical backgrounds, including Rep. Knute Buehler, MD (R – Bend), Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, MD (D – NW Portland/Beaverton), and Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, MD, JD (District 1), all of whom will engage in the “Turning Passion Into Action” sessions scheduled for the afternoon of the conference.
Attendees will also witness the installation of a new Oregon Medical Association president, as 142nd president Robert Orfaly, MD officially transfers his office to incoming 143rd president, Kevin Reavis, MD. The conference will be emceed by Bob Dannenhoffer, MD, Executive Director of the Douglas Public Health Network and a trustee of the Oregon Medical Association.
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The Oregon Medical Association is an organization of over 8,000 physicians, physician assistants, medical and PA students organized to serve and support physicians in their efforts to improve the health of Oregonians. Additional information can be found at theOMA.org.
