Brendon Shank

HMX: Two New Communities, Lots of New Conversations

More than 2,500 hospitalists have logged in to HMX (www.hmxchange.org) to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of other hospitalists. And now, two other groups of hospitalists have a new reason to check out HMX.

The first community, for family medicine hospitalists, was launched in October. Approximately 10% of SHM’s active members are hospitalists trained in family medicine (HTFM), many of whom are very active within SHM. More than 60 hospitalists trained in family medicine are either Fellows in Hospital Medicine or Senior Fellows in Hospital Medicine.

And, in December, hospitalists who work in post-acute care can work together to tackle the challenges unique to post-acute care. This new community was an outgrowth of SHM’s Post-Acute Care Task Force.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

HMX: Two New Communities, Lots of New Conversations

More than 2,500 hospitalists have logged in to HMX (www.hmxchange.org) to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of other hospitalists. And now, two other groups of hospitalists have a new reason to check out HMX.

The first community, for family medicine hospitalists, was launched in October. Approximately 10% of SHM’s active members are hospitalists trained in family medicine (HTFM), many of whom are very active within SHM. More than 60 hospitalists trained in family medicine are either Fellows in Hospital Medicine or Senior Fellows in Hospital Medicine.

And, in December, hospitalists who work in post-acute care can work together to tackle the challenges unique to post-acute care. This new community was an outgrowth of SHM’s Post-Acute Care Task Force.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

HMX: Two New Communities, Lots of New Conversations

More than 2,500 hospitalists have logged in to HMX (www.hmxchange.org) to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of other hospitalists. And now, two other groups of hospitalists have a new reason to check out HMX.

The first community, for family medicine hospitalists, was launched in October. Approximately 10% of SHM’s active members are hospitalists trained in family medicine (HTFM), many of whom are very active within SHM. More than 60 hospitalists trained in family medicine are either Fellows in Hospital Medicine or Senior Fellows in Hospital Medicine.

And, in December, hospitalists who work in post-acute care can work together to tackle the challenges unique to post-acute care. This new community was an outgrowth of SHM’s Post-Acute Care Task Force.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

Fellows Deadline Is Jan. 10, 2014

Thousands of hospitalists across the country have earned the Fellow in Hospital Medicine (FHM) and Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine (SFHM) designation to set themselves apart in the specialty—and among other hospital-based caregivers.

For the second year, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also earn the FHM and SFHM designations.

Candidates for FHM and SFHM can now apply online. For more information or to apply, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/fellows.

Fellows Deadline Is Jan. 10, 2014

Thousands of hospitalists across the country have earned the Fellow in Hospital Medicine (FHM) and Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine (SFHM) designation to set themselves apart in the specialty—and among other hospital-based caregivers.

For the second year, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also earn the FHM and SFHM designations.

Candidates for FHM and SFHM can now apply online. For more information or to apply, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/fellows.

Fellows Deadline Is Jan. 10, 2014

Thousands of hospitalists across the country have earned the Fellow in Hospital Medicine (FHM) and Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine (SFHM) designation to set themselves apart in the specialty—and among other hospital-based caregivers.

For the second year, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also earn the FHM and SFHM designations.

Candidates for FHM and SFHM can now apply online. For more information or to apply, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/fellows.

HM14: Submit Your Scientific Abstracts Soon

Abstracts are being accepted for SHM’s scientific poster and oral abstract competition, known as Research, Innovations, and Clinical Vignettes (RIV), until Sunday, Dec. 1. Visit the Academic Community page on the SHM website, or, for a full suite of resources for submitting your abstract, go directly to the abstract submission site (https://shm.confex.com/shm/HM14/cfp.cgi) to submit your abstract today.

For more on HM14, the biggest meeting in hospital medicine, visit www.hospitalmedicine2014.org.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

HM14: Submit Your Scientific Abstracts Soon

Abstracts are being accepted for SHM’s scientific poster and oral abstract competition, known as Research, Innovations, and Clinical Vignettes (RIV), until Sunday, Dec. 1. Visit the Academic Community page on the SHM website, or, for a full suite of resources for submitting your abstract, go directly to the abstract submission site (https://shm.confex.com/shm/HM14/cfp.cgi) to submit your abstract today.

For more on HM14, the biggest meeting in hospital medicine, visit www.hospitalmedicine2014.org.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

HM14: Submit Your Scientific Abstracts Soon

Abstracts are being accepted for SHM’s scientific poster and oral abstract competition, known as Research, Innovations, and Clinical Vignettes (RIV), until Sunday, Dec. 1. Visit the Academic Community page on the SHM website, or, for a full suite of resources for submitting your abstract, go directly to the abstract submission site (https://shm.confex.com/shm/HM14/cfp.cgi) to submit your abstract today.

For more on HM14, the biggest meeting in hospital medicine, visit www.hospitalmedicine2014.org.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

What breakout-session and pre-course topics are HM14 course director Daniel Brotman, MD, SFHM, and assistant course director Efren Manjarrez, MD, SFHM, looking forward to showcasing? Here is a sampling:

• Bleeding risks: a crucial yet misunderstood area.
• New anticoagulants: a quickly evolving area that will affect lots of hospitalists and patients.
• What keeps your CFO up at night: a financial perspective from a hospital president and hospitalist.
• Choosing Wisely: Learn how SHM turned the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative into practical recommendations for hospitalists.
• Pediatric clinical conundrums.
• Updates in key specialty and content areas.
• Hospital-acquired infection control by Sanjay Saint.
• CMS’ meaningful use.

What breakout-session and pre-course topics are HM14 course director Daniel Brotman, MD, SFHM, and assistant course director Efren Manjarrez, MD, SFHM, looking forward to showcasing? Here is a sampling:

• Bleeding risks: a crucial yet misunderstood area.
• New anticoagulants: a quickly evolving area that will affect lots of hospitalists and patients.
• What keeps your CFO up at night: a financial perspective from a hospital president and hospitalist.
• Choosing Wisely: Learn how SHM turned the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative into practical recommendations for hospitalists.
• Pediatric clinical conundrums.
• Updates in key specialty and content areas.
• Hospital-acquired infection control by Sanjay Saint.
• CMS’ meaningful use.

What breakout-session and pre-course topics are HM14 course director Daniel Brotman, MD, SFHM, and assistant course director Efren Manjarrez, MD, SFHM, looking forward to showcasing? Here is a sampling:

• Bleeding risks: a crucial yet misunderstood area.
• New anticoagulants: a quickly evolving area that will affect lots of hospitalists and patients.
• What keeps your CFO up at night: a financial perspective from a hospital president and hospitalist.
• Choosing Wisely: Learn how SHM turned the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative into practical recommendations for hospitalists.
• Pediatric clinical conundrums.
• Updates in key specialty and content areas.
• Hospital-acquired infection control by Sanjay Saint.
• CMS’ meaningful use.

SHM’s next annual meeting, HM14, is only six months away. So today is the day to make scheduling requests and book a room. And, for the first time, the biggest annual event in hospital medicine will be in Las Vegas.

HM14 will be held March 24-27 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Meeting registration is now open at www.hospitalmedicine2014.org. The early registration discount ends Jan. 26.

Who should attend HM14? Bring the whole team: hospitalists, pediatricians, academic hospitalists, general internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, administrators, and providers practicing in acute-care settings.

SHM’s next annual meeting, HM14, is only six months away. So today is the day to make scheduling requests and book a room. And, for the first time, the biggest annual event in hospital medicine will be in Las Vegas.

HM14 will be held March 24-27 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Meeting registration is now open at www.hospitalmedicine2014.org. The early registration discount ends Jan. 26.

Who should attend HM14? Bring the whole team: hospitalists, pediatricians, academic hospitalists, general internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, administrators, and providers practicing in acute-care settings.

SHM’s next annual meeting, HM14, is only six months away. So today is the day to make scheduling requests and book a room. And, for the first time, the biggest annual event in hospital medicine will be in Las Vegas.

HM14 will be held March 24-27 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Meeting registration is now open at www.hospitalmedicine2014.org. The early registration discount ends Jan. 26.

Who should attend HM14? Bring the whole team: hospitalists, pediatricians, academic hospitalists, general internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, administrators, and providers practicing in acute-care settings.

The care of hospitalized patients in the future rests with the young physicians of today. That’s the message of an upcoming presentation, “Target 1000: Creating the Pipeline to the Future,” by SHM President Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, set for Oct. 23 at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Intended for local and regional residents in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Howell will present the many benefits of becoming a career hospitalist and the resources available to medical students, residents, and early-career hospitalists. Exhibits and networking begin at 6 p.m., with Dr. Howell presenting at 7 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session.

Attendees will be eligible to win an iPad. Medical students in attendance will receive a complimentary, one-year membership to SHM. Resident membership fees will be discounted to $100.

For more information, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/events.

The care of hospitalized patients in the future rests with the young physicians of today. That’s the message of an upcoming presentation, “Target 1000: Creating the Pipeline to the Future,” by SHM President Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, set for Oct. 23 at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Intended for local and regional residents in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Howell will present the many benefits of becoming a career hospitalist and the resources available to medical students, residents, and early-career hospitalists. Exhibits and networking begin at 6 p.m., with Dr. Howell presenting at 7 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session.

Attendees will be eligible to win an iPad. Medical students in attendance will receive a complimentary, one-year membership to SHM. Resident membership fees will be discounted to $100.

For more information, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/events.

The care of hospitalized patients in the future rests with the young physicians of today. That’s the message of an upcoming presentation, “Target 1000: Creating the Pipeline to the Future,” by SHM President Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, set for Oct. 23 at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Intended for local and regional residents in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Howell will present the many benefits of becoming a career hospitalist and the resources available to medical students, residents, and early-career hospitalists. Exhibits and networking begin at 6 p.m., with Dr. Howell presenting at 7 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session.

Attendees will be eligible to win an iPad. Medical students in attendance will receive a complimentary, one-year membership to SHM. Resident membership fees will be discounted to $100.

For more information, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/events.

First, SHM’s new Learning Portal was the one-stop shop for free and discounted continuing medical education (CME) credits online. Now, the Learning Portal can help hospitalists report into the physician quality reporting system (PQRS) at a discounted individual rate.

And the time to start reporting measures in PQRS is now.

The PQRS was developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2007 as a voluntary reporting program that provides a financial incentive to physicians and other eligible professionals who report data on quality measures for covered services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. Starting in 2013, reporting in PQRS becomes mandatory for all eligible professionals.

SHM has encouraged its members to participate in the PQRS since the system’s inception in 2007. With the exciting launch of the SHM Learning Portal, it is easier than ever to get started. If you or your group are not currently reporting, there are still incentive payments available in 2013 and 2014. Beginning in 2015, there will be a penalty for not reporting quality measures based on 2013 performance.

Access the PQRIwizard through the SHM Learning Portal

SHM has secured a significant discount for members to report PQRS through the PQRIwizard. Located within the SHM Learning Portal, this online tool is a fast, convenient, and cost-effective solution to help collect and report quality measures data for the PQRS program. Similar to online tax-preparation software, the PQRIwizard guides you through a few easy steps to help rapidly collect, validate, report, and submit your results to CMS. The tool is powered by the CECity Registry, a CMS-qualified registry for PQRS reporting.

What Measures Are Available?

The SHM PQRIwizard features six individual quality measures in the areas of stroke and stroke rehabilitation, including measures on screening for dysphagia and thrombolytic therapy. To report on any of these measures, simply select three measures and report on 80 percent of your Medicare Part B fee-for-services patients who apply to the measures you selected.

PQRIwizard has a built-in progress monitor that validates your report by checking for missing data. The monitor also tracks your data to provide you with continuous feedback regarding valid patients. The system even calculates your measures and provides a printable report of your measure results in real time.

First, SHM’s new Learning Portal was the one-stop shop for free and discounted continuing medical education (CME) credits online. Now, the Learning Portal can help hospitalists report into the physician quality reporting system (PQRS) at a discounted individual rate.

And the time to start reporting measures in PQRS is now.

The PQRS was developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2007 as a voluntary reporting program that provides a financial incentive to physicians and other eligible professionals who report data on quality measures for covered services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. Starting in 2013, reporting in PQRS becomes mandatory for all eligible professionals.

SHM has encouraged its members to participate in the PQRS since the system’s inception in 2007. With the exciting launch of the SHM Learning Portal, it is easier than ever to get started. If you or your group are not currently reporting, there are still incentive payments available in 2013 and 2014. Beginning in 2015, there will be a penalty for not reporting quality measures based on 2013 performance.

Access the PQRIwizard through the SHM Learning Portal

SHM has secured a significant discount for members to report PQRS through the PQRIwizard. Located within the SHM Learning Portal, this online tool is a fast, convenient, and cost-effective solution to help collect and report quality measures data for the PQRS program. Similar to online tax-preparation software, the PQRIwizard guides you through a few easy steps to help rapidly collect, validate, report, and submit your results to CMS. The tool is powered by the CECity Registry, a CMS-qualified registry for PQRS reporting.

What Measures Are Available?

The SHM PQRIwizard features six individual quality measures in the areas of stroke and stroke rehabilitation, including measures on screening for dysphagia and thrombolytic therapy. To report on any of these measures, simply select three measures and report on 80 percent of your Medicare Part B fee-for-services patients who apply to the measures you selected.

PQRIwizard has a built-in progress monitor that validates your report by checking for missing data. The monitor also tracks your data to provide you with continuous feedback regarding valid patients. The system even calculates your measures and provides a printable report of your measure results in real time.

First, SHM’s new Learning Portal was the one-stop shop for free and discounted continuing medical education (CME) credits online. Now, the Learning Portal can help hospitalists report into the physician quality reporting system (PQRS) at a discounted individual rate.

And the time to start reporting measures in PQRS is now.

The PQRS was developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2007 as a voluntary reporting program that provides a financial incentive to physicians and other eligible professionals who report data on quality measures for covered services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. Starting in 2013, reporting in PQRS becomes mandatory for all eligible professionals.

SHM has encouraged its members to participate in the PQRS since the system’s inception in 2007. With the exciting launch of the SHM Learning Portal, it is easier than ever to get started. If you or your group are not currently reporting, there are still incentive payments available in 2013 and 2014. Beginning in 2015, there will be a penalty for not reporting quality measures based on 2013 performance.

Access the PQRIwizard through the SHM Learning Portal

SHM has secured a significant discount for members to report PQRS through the PQRIwizard. Located within the SHM Learning Portal, this online tool is a fast, convenient, and cost-effective solution to help collect and report quality measures data for the PQRS program. Similar to online tax-preparation software, the PQRIwizard guides you through a few easy steps to help rapidly collect, validate, report, and submit your results to CMS. The tool is powered by the CECity Registry, a CMS-qualified registry for PQRS reporting.

What Measures Are Available?

The SHM PQRIwizard features six individual quality measures in the areas of stroke and stroke rehabilitation, including measures on screening for dysphagia and thrombolytic therapy. To report on any of these measures, simply select three measures and report on 80 percent of your Medicare Part B fee-for-services patients who apply to the measures you selected.

PQRIwizard has a built-in progress monitor that validates your report by checking for missing data. The monitor also tracks your data to provide you with continuous feedback regarding valid patients. The system even calculates your measures and provides a printable report of your measure results in real time.

Are you ready to shape the future of hospital medicine, collaborate with leaders in the field, and advance your career? Now is the time—by nominating yourself (or a colleague) for any one of dozens of SHM committees or the board of directors. But don’t delay: The deadline for nominations is Oct. 21.

To learn more about SHM’s 20-plus committees and submit a nomination, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/committees.

To learn about board eligibility, visit the “About SHM” section at www.hospitalmedicine.org and select “Election Information.”

Why get involved in committees or SHM’s board of directors? Here are some of the reasons current leaders in the field got involved:

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, SHM president; chief of the division of hospital medicine, John Hopkins Bayview Hospital, Baltimore

The most valuable thing to me is interacting with the nation’s HM leaders, not just other board members. Serving on the board provides connections with many of the best and brightest in our field, from “masters” to brilliant staff, and many, many insightful and thoughtful members.

Serving on the board has been a huge help in my career. The networking is fabulous and absolutely cannot be understated. Plus, you learn a ton from serving on the board, from cutting-edge topics to being involved in areas of HM that might not be present at your home institution. There are multiple opportunities to grow and advance your own leadership skills, from running for a board of directors officer position (treasurer, secretary, president) to opportunities to participate in the Leadership Academy to the AHA to QSEA and more.

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM, SHM board member; associate chief medical officer, assistant clinical professor, medicine and neurosurgery, executive director of quality and safety, medicine and neurosurgery, UCLA Hospitals, Los Angeles.

If you want to work on challenges facing our specialty, with an incredibly insightful, dedicated, and thoughtful group, come on board. Participating as an SHM board member is invaluable. We have such a dedicated and accomplished group of colleagues focused on the challenges in health care, and we are working toward solutions for the future.

It has enabled me to have a broader perspective on the field of hospital medicine as well as the various roles hospitalists play locally and nationally.

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM, SHM Membership Committee chair; assistant professor of medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston

There are several benefits to serving on an SHM committee. It allows you to meet and collaborate with a fantastic group of individuals, and easily establishes connections that would otherwise take much longer to foster. It also allows you to participate in the field at a national level: If there is something that you are passionate about, committee service can provide a platform for that passion.

It is great fun to participate in SHM committees and to be a part of the process in which this society shapes policy and provides educational opportunities for hospitalists.

Serving on an SHM committee has certainly expanded my network of contacts within hospital medicine!

We are trying to listen to what front-line providers want and need to know about patient safety and quality improvement, and to provide that information for them.

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM, SHM Administrators Committee chair; executive vice president, Acute Services Hospitalists Now Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

I have appreciated the opportunity for continued personal leadership development and the ability to interact closely with others in our industry. I have found hospitalists to be very transparent regarding improving patient care best practices.

It is fun. You meet a subset of people you may have never known. Deep friendships are formed. HM is a large specialty in a very small world. People I have worked with in past committees resurface in my life with regularity.

Our committee has been active in providing broad education about the best practices in HM administration, as well as providing a fellowship track for nonphysicians. This is a landmark achievement for us. Recognition for being part of the HM transformation of health care is immensely satisfying.

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM, SHM Practice Analysis Committee member, hospitalist regional medical director, Allina Health, Minneapolis

Serving on the Practice Analysis Committee has helped me to be a more informed, credible source of hospitalist information for senior leaders in my organization. It has definitely provided me a set of knowledgeable hospitalist colleagues outside of my health system to whom I can turn to for advice and help with problem-solving.

Hospitalists across the country share an amazing number of similar issues despite every hospital having its own unique culture. It’s helpful to hear others talk about the solutions they’ve considered and tried, what went well, and what didn’t. I’ve learned more about the complexity of analyzing a hospitalist practice.

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM, SHM IT Executive Committee chair, associate professor of medicine, chief of the division of hospital medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque

My time on SHM committees has been one of the most professionally satisfying activities I have engaged in. In addition to meeting and working closely with national leaders and role models, it has expanded my local idea of what our HM group was capable of achieving by seeing the accomplishments of others and allowing me to incorporate many aspects of these practices without having to develop it from scratch. It also has given me a great sense of pride in our specialty, which has also added to my job satisfaction.

Much of this would not have been possible without the support structure I have built through SHM, which all began with serving on one committee. That has grown to chairing committees, serving as SHM faculty, being a mentee, then mentor, then lead mentor in SHM’s mentored implementation programs.

Committee membership gives you a source of professional satisfaction that is different from your local work. It ties you into a network of people with similar interests while also making you more effective in your local work.

As chair of the Information Technology (IT) Executive Committee, I received a message from my administrative assistant that stated: “The Society of Hospital Medicine called and they need you to go to the White House next week.” I was invited to represent SHM at a town hall meeting on IT with the ONC director at the White House with SHM’s senior advisor for advocacy and government affairs. I have traveled with the CEO, Larry Wellikson, to visit major [electronic medical records] vendors and advocate for the IT tools we need for our members to provide the highest quality of care.

Are you ready to shape the future of hospital medicine, collaborate with leaders in the field, and advance your career? Now is the time—by nominating yourself (or a colleague) for any one of dozens of SHM committees or the board of directors. But don’t delay: The deadline for nominations is Oct. 21.

To learn more about SHM’s 20-plus committees and submit a nomination, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/committees.

To learn about board eligibility, visit the “About SHM” section at www.hospitalmedicine.org and select “Election Information.”

Why get involved in committees or SHM’s board of directors? Here are some of the reasons current leaders in the field got involved:

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, SHM president; chief of the division of hospital medicine, John Hopkins Bayview Hospital, Baltimore

The most valuable thing to me is interacting with the nation’s HM leaders, not just other board members. Serving on the board provides connections with many of the best and brightest in our field, from “masters” to brilliant staff, and many, many insightful and thoughtful members.

Serving on the board has been a huge help in my career. The networking is fabulous and absolutely cannot be understated. Plus, you learn a ton from serving on the board, from cutting-edge topics to being involved in areas of HM that might not be present at your home institution. There are multiple opportunities to grow and advance your own leadership skills, from running for a board of directors officer position (treasurer, secretary, president) to opportunities to participate in the Leadership Academy to the AHA to QSEA and more.

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM, SHM board member; associate chief medical officer, assistant clinical professor, medicine and neurosurgery, executive director of quality and safety, medicine and neurosurgery, UCLA Hospitals, Los Angeles.

If you want to work on challenges facing our specialty, with an incredibly insightful, dedicated, and thoughtful group, come on board. Participating as an SHM board member is invaluable. We have such a dedicated and accomplished group of colleagues focused on the challenges in health care, and we are working toward solutions for the future.

It has enabled me to have a broader perspective on the field of hospital medicine as well as the various roles hospitalists play locally and nationally.

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM, SHM Membership Committee chair; assistant professor of medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston

There are several benefits to serving on an SHM committee. It allows you to meet and collaborate with a fantastic group of individuals, and easily establishes connections that would otherwise take much longer to foster. It also allows you to participate in the field at a national level: If there is something that you are passionate about, committee service can provide a platform for that passion.

It is great fun to participate in SHM committees and to be a part of the process in which this society shapes policy and provides educational opportunities for hospitalists.

Serving on an SHM committee has certainly expanded my network of contacts within hospital medicine!

We are trying to listen to what front-line providers want and need to know about patient safety and quality improvement, and to provide that information for them.

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM, SHM Administrators Committee chair; executive vice president, Acute Services Hospitalists Now Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

I have appreciated the opportunity for continued personal leadership development and the ability to interact closely with others in our industry. I have found hospitalists to be very transparent regarding improving patient care best practices.

It is fun. You meet a subset of people you may have never known. Deep friendships are formed. HM is a large specialty in a very small world. People I have worked with in past committees resurface in my life with regularity.

Our committee has been active in providing broad education about the best practices in HM administration, as well as providing a fellowship track for nonphysicians. This is a landmark achievement for us. Recognition for being part of the HM transformation of health care is immensely satisfying.

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM, SHM Practice Analysis Committee member, hospitalist regional medical director, Allina Health, Minneapolis

Serving on the Practice Analysis Committee has helped me to be a more informed, credible source of hospitalist information for senior leaders in my organization. It has definitely provided me a set of knowledgeable hospitalist colleagues outside of my health system to whom I can turn to for advice and help with problem-solving.

Hospitalists across the country share an amazing number of similar issues despite every hospital having its own unique culture. It’s helpful to hear others talk about the solutions they’ve considered and tried, what went well, and what didn’t. I’ve learned more about the complexity of analyzing a hospitalist practice.

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM, SHM IT Executive Committee chair, associate professor of medicine, chief of the division of hospital medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque

My time on SHM committees has been one of the most professionally satisfying activities I have engaged in. In addition to meeting and working closely with national leaders and role models, it has expanded my local idea of what our HM group was capable of achieving by seeing the accomplishments of others and allowing me to incorporate many aspects of these practices without having to develop it from scratch. It also has given me a great sense of pride in our specialty, which has also added to my job satisfaction.

Much of this would not have been possible without the support structure I have built through SHM, which all began with serving on one committee. That has grown to chairing committees, serving as SHM faculty, being a mentee, then mentor, then lead mentor in SHM’s mentored implementation programs.

Committee membership gives you a source of professional satisfaction that is different from your local work. It ties you into a network of people with similar interests while also making you more effective in your local work.

As chair of the Information Technology (IT) Executive Committee, I received a message from my administrative assistant that stated: “The Society of Hospital Medicine called and they need you to go to the White House next week.” I was invited to represent SHM at a town hall meeting on IT with the ONC director at the White House with SHM’s senior advisor for advocacy and government affairs. I have traveled with the CEO, Larry Wellikson, to visit major [electronic medical records] vendors and advocate for the IT tools we need for our members to provide the highest quality of care.

Are you ready to shape the future of hospital medicine, collaborate with leaders in the field, and advance your career? Now is the time—by nominating yourself (or a colleague) for any one of dozens of SHM committees or the board of directors. But don’t delay: The deadline for nominations is Oct. 21.

To learn more about SHM’s 20-plus committees and submit a nomination, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org/committees.

To learn about board eligibility, visit the “About SHM” section at www.hospitalmedicine.org and select “Election Information.”

Why get involved in committees or SHM’s board of directors? Here are some of the reasons current leaders in the field got involved:

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM

Eric Howell, MD, SFHM, SHM president; chief of the division of hospital medicine, John Hopkins Bayview Hospital, Baltimore

The most valuable thing to me is interacting with the nation’s HM leaders, not just other board members. Serving on the board provides connections with many of the best and brightest in our field, from “masters” to brilliant staff, and many, many insightful and thoughtful members.

Serving on the board has been a huge help in my career. The networking is fabulous and absolutely cannot be understated. Plus, you learn a ton from serving on the board, from cutting-edge topics to being involved in areas of HM that might not be present at your home institution. There are multiple opportunities to grow and advance your own leadership skills, from running for a board of directors officer position (treasurer, secretary, president) to opportunities to participate in the Leadership Academy to the AHA to QSEA and more.

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM

Nasim Afsar, MD, SFHM, SHM board member; associate chief medical officer, assistant clinical professor, medicine and neurosurgery, executive director of quality and safety, medicine and neurosurgery, UCLA Hospitals, Los Angeles.

If you want to work on challenges facing our specialty, with an incredibly insightful, dedicated, and thoughtful group, come on board. Participating as an SHM board member is invaluable. We have such a dedicated and accomplished group of colleagues focused on the challenges in health care, and we are working toward solutions for the future.

It has enabled me to have a broader perspective on the field of hospital medicine as well as the various roles hospitalists play locally and nationally.

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM

Alexander Carbo, MD, SFHM, SHM Membership Committee chair; assistant professor of medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston

There are several benefits to serving on an SHM committee. It allows you to meet and collaborate with a fantastic group of individuals, and easily establishes connections that would otherwise take much longer to foster. It also allows you to participate in the field at a national level: If there is something that you are passionate about, committee service can provide a platform for that passion.

It is great fun to participate in SHM committees and to be a part of the process in which this society shapes policy and provides educational opportunities for hospitalists.

Serving on an SHM committee has certainly expanded my network of contacts within hospital medicine!

We are trying to listen to what front-line providers want and need to know about patient safety and quality improvement, and to provide that information for them.

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM

Kim Dickinson, MA, RRT, SFHM, SHM Administrators Committee chair; executive vice president, Acute Services Hospitalists Now Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

I have appreciated the opportunity for continued personal leadership development and the ability to interact closely with others in our industry. I have found hospitalists to be very transparent regarding improving patient care best practices.

It is fun. You meet a subset of people you may have never known. Deep friendships are formed. HM is a large specialty in a very small world. People I have worked with in past committees resurface in my life with regularity.

Our committee has been active in providing broad education about the best practices in HM administration, as well as providing a fellowship track for nonphysicians. This is a landmark achievement for us. Recognition for being part of the HM transformation of health care is immensely satisfying.

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM

Tierza Stephan, MD, FACP, SFHM, SHM Practice Analysis Committee member, hospitalist regional medical director, Allina Health, Minneapolis

Serving on the Practice Analysis Committee has helped me to be a more informed, credible source of hospitalist information for senior leaders in my organization. It has definitely provided me a set of knowledgeable hospitalist colleagues outside of my health system to whom I can turn to for advice and help with problem-solving.

Hospitalists across the country share an amazing number of similar issues despite every hospital having its own unique culture. It’s helpful to hear others talk about the solutions they’ve considered and tried, what went well, and what didn’t. I’ve learned more about the complexity of analyzing a hospitalist practice.

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM

Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM, SHM IT Executive Committee chair, associate professor of medicine, chief of the division of hospital medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque

My time on SHM committees has been one of the most professionally satisfying activities I have engaged in. In addition to meeting and working closely with national leaders and role models, it has expanded my local idea of what our HM group was capable of achieving by seeing the accomplishments of others and allowing me to incorporate many aspects of these practices without having to develop it from scratch. It also has given me a great sense of pride in our specialty, which has also added to my job satisfaction.

Much of this would not have been possible without the support structure I have built through SHM, which all began with serving on one committee. That has grown to chairing committees, serving as SHM faculty, being a mentee, then mentor, then lead mentor in SHM’s mentored implementation programs.

Committee membership gives you a source of professional satisfaction that is different from your local work. It ties you into a network of people with similar interests while also making you more effective in your local work.

As chair of the Information Technology (IT) Executive Committee, I received a message from my administrative assistant that stated: “The Society of Hospital Medicine called and they need you to go to the White House next week.” I was invited to represent SHM at a town hall meeting on IT with the ONC director at the White House with SHM’s senior advisor for advocacy and government affairs. I have traveled with the CEO, Larry Wellikson, to visit major [electronic medical records] vendors and advocate for the IT tools we need for our members to provide the highest quality of care.

SHM’s new Learning Portal (www.shmlearningportal.org) enables hospitalists to earn online continuing-medical-education (CME) credits online from anywhere. And it lets hospitalists track CME—earned from SHM or any other organization—in one easy location.

Best of all: It’s free for SHM members.

Access to the Learning Portal is an SHM member benefit, and many of the online CME courses are free as well. Others are provided at a reduced price.

Upon logging in, hospitalists can take advantage of the easy-to-use website with the most recent courses, maintenance-of-certification (MOC) courses, and recent user activity in a familiar “dashboard” format. Users can also take courses at their own pace, pausing educational activities and picking them up later. The transcript function within the Learning Portal is a one-stop destination for tracking CME and coursework at any time.

The new Learning Portal also lets hospitalists monitor their individual state’s licensure requirements, tracking total CME required against the start and end dates of licensure.

In addition to being the new home for SHM’s online CME for hospitalists, it’s also the new home for SHM’s popular Hospital Quality & Patient Safety (HQPS) Online Academy. New users can access the materials through the Learning Portal, and current users still retain all their HQPS credit on the new platform.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

SHM’s new Learning Portal (www.shmlearningportal.org) enables hospitalists to earn online continuing-medical-education (CME) credits online from anywhere. And it lets hospitalists track CME—earned from SHM or any other organization—in one easy location.

Best of all: It’s free for SHM members.

Access to the Learning Portal is an SHM member benefit, and many of the online CME courses are free as well. Others are provided at a reduced price.

Upon logging in, hospitalists can take advantage of the easy-to-use website with the most recent courses, maintenance-of-certification (MOC) courses, and recent user activity in a familiar “dashboard” format. Users can also take courses at their own pace, pausing educational activities and picking them up later. The transcript function within the Learning Portal is a one-stop destination for tracking CME and coursework at any time.

The new Learning Portal also lets hospitalists monitor their individual state’s licensure requirements, tracking total CME required against the start and end dates of licensure.

In addition to being the new home for SHM’s online CME for hospitalists, it’s also the new home for SHM’s popular Hospital Quality & Patient Safety (HQPS) Online Academy. New users can access the materials through the Learning Portal, and current users still retain all their HQPS credit on the new platform.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

SHM’s new Learning Portal (www.shmlearningportal.org) enables hospitalists to earn online continuing-medical-education (CME) credits online from anywhere. And it lets hospitalists track CME—earned from SHM or any other organization—in one easy location.

Best of all: It’s free for SHM members.

Access to the Learning Portal is an SHM member benefit, and many of the online CME courses are free as well. Others are provided at a reduced price.

Upon logging in, hospitalists can take advantage of the easy-to-use website with the most recent courses, maintenance-of-certification (MOC) courses, and recent user activity in a familiar “dashboard” format. Users can also take courses at their own pace, pausing educational activities and picking them up later. The transcript function within the Learning Portal is a one-stop destination for tracking CME and coursework at any time.

The new Learning Portal also lets hospitalists monitor their individual state’s licensure requirements, tracking total CME required against the start and end dates of licensure.

In addition to being the new home for SHM’s online CME for hospitalists, it’s also the new home for SHM’s popular Hospital Quality & Patient Safety (HQPS) Online Academy. New users can access the materials through the Learning Portal, and current users still retain all their HQPS credit on the new platform.

Brendon Shank is SHM’s associate vice president of communications.

SHM asked Academic Hospitalist Academy course co-directors Jeffrey Glasheen, MD, SFHM, and Bradley Sharpe, MD, SFHM, why academic hospitalists should attend this year’s academy.

Question: What has you personally excited about this year’s Academic Hospitalist Academy?

Dr. Sharpe: I’ll be honest—it is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It is a tremendous opportunity to engage with academic hospitalists and help them develop the core skills they need to be successful.

Dr. Glasheen: For me, it’s about the energy, the talent, and the excitement that the attendees bring to the course. It ends up being a tremendously energizing week for me personally. To see the talent in the room begin to find outlets for success is truly invigorating.

Q: If you were talking one on one with an academic hospitalist, what would you say to encourage them to attend?

Dr. Sharpe: Based on previous attendees, these four days could truly change your life. We are confident you will leave with newfound energy and enthusiasm and key building blocks to help you be successful when you go back home. Don’t miss it.

Dr. Glasheen: There is a magical transformation that happens every year. Very talented individuals enter the program. Nearly uniformly, they are struggling with the same issues around mentorship, sense of purpose, direction, and resources for success. They all want to be successful but sense there is something that is missing, and within the course of four days, they find it.

Q: What have you heard from previous AHA attendees?

Dr. Sharpe: Here are a couple of emails I received: “I can’t say enough about the AHA. It was possibly the most important 3 days of my young career. Thank you both for the knowledge and guidance.” “I have fond memories of the whole AHA conference. The great Jeff Wiese!!! But most of all, the small group sessions were extremely helpful.”

Dr. Glasheen: To a person, they all say the meeting is “transformational.” They gain skills in teaching, confidence in evaluating learners, methods for scholarly success, and a roadmap for navigating the tricky world on academic medicine. But beyond that, they gain a peer network. They leave tied in with 80 other national colleagues that are struggling with the same issues. This network becomes their home away from home—people they can turn to with a question, catch up with at a national meeting, and look to as exemplars in the field.

SHM asked Academic Hospitalist Academy course co-directors Jeffrey Glasheen, MD, SFHM, and Bradley Sharpe, MD, SFHM, why academic hospitalists should attend this year’s academy.

Question: What has you personally excited about this year’s Academic Hospitalist Academy?

Dr. Sharpe: I’ll be honest—it is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It is a tremendous opportunity to engage with academic hospitalists and help them develop the core skills they need to be successful.

Dr. Glasheen: For me, it’s about the energy, the talent, and the excitement that the attendees bring to the course. It ends up being a tremendously energizing week for me personally. To see the talent in the room begin to find outlets for success is truly invigorating.

Q: If you were talking one on one with an academic hospitalist, what would you say to encourage them to attend?

Dr. Sharpe: Based on previous attendees, these four days could truly change your life. We are confident you will leave with newfound energy and enthusiasm and key building blocks to help you be successful when you go back home. Don’t miss it.

Dr. Glasheen: There is a magical transformation that happens every year. Very talented individuals enter the program. Nearly uniformly, they are struggling with the same issues around mentorship, sense of purpose, direction, and resources for success. They all want to be successful but sense there is something that is missing, and within the course of four days, they find it.

Q: What have you heard from previous AHA attendees?

Dr. Sharpe: Here are a couple of emails I received: “I can’t say enough about the AHA. It was possibly the most important 3 days of my young career. Thank you both for the knowledge and guidance.” “I have fond memories of the whole AHA conference. The great Jeff Wiese!!! But most of all, the small group sessions were extremely helpful.”

Dr. Glasheen: To a person, they all say the meeting is “transformational.” They gain skills in teaching, confidence in evaluating learners, methods for scholarly success, and a roadmap for navigating the tricky world on academic medicine. But beyond that, they gain a peer network. They leave tied in with 80 other national colleagues that are struggling with the same issues. This network becomes their home away from home—people they can turn to with a question, catch up with at a national meeting, and look to as exemplars in the field.

SHM asked Academic Hospitalist Academy course co-directors Jeffrey Glasheen, MD, SFHM, and Bradley Sharpe, MD, SFHM, why academic hospitalists should attend this year’s academy.

Question: What has you personally excited about this year’s Academic Hospitalist Academy?

Dr. Sharpe: I’ll be honest—it is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It is a tremendous opportunity to engage with academic hospitalists and help them develop the core skills they need to be successful.

Dr. Glasheen: For me, it’s about the energy, the talent, and the excitement that the attendees bring to the course. It ends up being a tremendously energizing week for me personally. To see the talent in the room begin to find outlets for success is truly invigorating.

Q: If you were talking one on one with an academic hospitalist, what would you say to encourage them to attend?

Dr. Sharpe: Based on previous attendees, these four days could truly change your life. We are confident you will leave with newfound energy and enthusiasm and key building blocks to help you be successful when you go back home. Don’t miss it.

Dr. Glasheen: There is a magical transformation that happens every year. Very talented individuals enter the program. Nearly uniformly, they are struggling with the same issues around mentorship, sense of purpose, direction, and resources for success. They all want to be successful but sense there is something that is missing, and within the course of four days, they find it.

Q: What have you heard from previous AHA attendees?

Dr. Sharpe: Here are a couple of emails I received: “I can’t say enough about the AHA. It was possibly the most important 3 days of my young career. Thank you both for the knowledge and guidance.” “I have fond memories of the whole AHA conference. The great Jeff Wiese!!! But most of all, the small group sessions were extremely helpful.”

Dr. Glasheen: To a person, they all say the meeting is “transformational.” They gain skills in teaching, confidence in evaluating learners, methods for scholarly success, and a roadmap for navigating the tricky world on academic medicine. But beyond that, they gain a peer network. They leave tied in with 80 other national colleagues that are struggling with the same issues. This network becomes their home away from home—people they can turn to with a question, catch up with at a national meeting, and look to as exemplars in the field.