Jill Waalen, MD, MS, MPH, FACPM
ACPM President
As many of us return from Baltimore, energized and inspired by PM2026, some reflections and a preview of the path forward:
First of all, a huge thank you to the Conference Planning Committee, led by Chair, Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky, and Vice Chair, Dr. Chelsea Isom and the track chairs and committee members (*listed below). What great content they put together! And to the ACPM staff who made it all flow so flawlessly, under the leadership of Executive Director Melissa Ferrari and her team: Kate Shreve, Anita Balan, Noah Isenstein, Will Hirzy and Cara Molinari and the IMN staff. And to all ACPM members who contributed as moderators, speakers and poster presenters, as well as attending committee and section meetings and social events, all adding to the success of the conference. We leave with new knowledge and perspectives, new and renewed relationships and a sense of momentum as we enter a new year for the College.
A highlight at this year’s conference was the launch of Prevention First, ACPM’s new comprehensive framework for transforming our fragmented healthcare system into a system designed to produce health. Prevention First is what Preventive Medicine is about as a whole. It defines a goal that we can work on together, even as we work in our individual prevention-related spheres, drawing both on our common Preventive Medicine training as well as the diverse expertise we have developed in our individual professional pursuits.
Those who attended the conference were given an assignment, which is extended to all ACPM members. First: read Prevention First. Then reflect on what resonates with you and where you can contribute. As presented at the meeting, version one is just the beginning – providing a foundation for all of us to build on as we work to fill in the gaps and operationalize the Pillars.
Just one example from my own experience at the conference. Attending the Concurrent session “VA is the Future of Preventive Medicine” presented by Dr. Genevieve Embree, I was struck by how the innovations Dr. Embree is leading at the Durham VA – developing an Office of Public Health and using Preventive Medicine physicians as force-multipliers to help primary care providers to incorporate a greater focus on prevention in their practices—align with Prevention First Pillar 1: Reform Medical Training to Build a Prevention First Health Care System. Her work securing VA funding for Preventive Medicine Residency positions can contribute to strategies for Prevention First Pillar 2: Building a Preventive Medicine Workforce.
From the opening talks by Drs. Ken Kizer and Shereef Elnahal to the closing session with Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, the conference was filled many other ideas, models and innovations that can continue to inform and be incorporated into the Prevention First framework.
So how can you contribute? For now, let the ideas flow and share them with colleagues and leaders of the College. And watch this space—and other communications from the College as the Prevention First campaign rolls out– for more ways to contribute—as we look forward to Prevention First 2.0 and beyond.
PM2026 Committee
Board Liaison: Dr. Richard Bruno
Poster Review Committee PM2026 Committee
Co-chairs: Drs. Kim McDonald and Daniel Carnegie
Members: Drs. Bryant Webber, Charles Schade, David Blaney, David Blodgett, Deborah Thompson, Elizabeth Hesse, Margaret Shih, Mary Carol Jennings, Pauline Thomas, Rhonda McCarthy, Sheryl Bedno, Stehpen Fischer, Tammy Servies
Community and Population and Public Health Track
Chair: Dr. Marissa Khajavi; Vice Chair: Dr. Melissa Reyes
Members: Drs. Victoriana Schwartz, Eseosa Fernandes, Devin Kelly, Christine Thorne, David Sayers, Alankrita Olson, Rachelle Alexion, Cara Dooley, Nadia Saif
Clinical Preventive Medicine Track
Chair: Dr. Rachel Annam; Vice Chair: Dr. Case Keltner
Members: Drs. Ryan Moran, Wesley Conn, Jason Bernhard, Karla Vega Colon, Patricia Vu, Morgan Keefe, Bala Simon
Advances in the Specialty of Preventive Medicine Track
Chair: Dr. Terra Forward; Vice Chair: Dr. Aristotle Sun
Members: Drs. Laura Power, Luke Mease, Steve Chun, Larry Lentino, Jordan Gildehaus
Global and Planetary Health Track
Chair: Dr. Namita Kolkar; Vice Chair: Dr. Michael Jan
Members: Drs. Mehdi Aloosh, Will Douthitt, Hang Nguyen, Ngozi U. Obi, Oluwatomisin Williams, Christina M. Pitre
CME Review Committee
Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Tong
Members: Drs. Wendy Braund, Joseph Iser, Dorothy Lane, Brian Erly
Liaisons
Drs. Malika Garg (Member Engagement); Sumana Kondle (Social Engagement); Robert Gilchick (Fundraising and Sponsorship); Michele Soltis (Continuing Medical Education)
