The MGMA AAA 2009 Conference Provides Exceptional Education and Networking Opportunities
Brenda Dorman, MBA
President, MGMA AAA; Executive Administrator, Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
It is my pleasure to announce that this year’s MGMA AAA 2009 Conference will be held May 17-20, 2009 at the alluring InterContinental Miami on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. For those who are new to anesthesia or have never attended this conference, it is the premier anesthesia practice management event. While we continue to offer sessions on Pain Management, this year we have created a new pre-conference program. Due to the popularity of our “new to anesthesia” forum offered in previous years, we’ve expanded that series to a full day pre-conference on Sunday, May 17th. These sessions will cover many of the issues unique to anesthesia that every new or seasoned administrator usually spends years learning! Physicians wanting to learn more about how their practice works and how their administrator keeps it running smoothly will also find this pre-conference enlightening.
On Monday morning, physicians who attend the conference are invited to join Dr. Stanley Stead, Chair, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) Committee on Economics, and other colleagues for breakfast. As in past years, this “physician only” informal networking event gives physicians an opportunity to discuss current topics and exchange information pertinent to their practices.
Our keynote speaker (special thanks to Anesthesia Business Consultants, LLC for their generous sponsorship of this event) is M. Tray Dunaway, MD, FACS, CHCO, president and CEO of Healthcare Value Inc. Dr. Dunaway is a nationally known speaker who will share with us his vision on connecting the “dots of healthcare” by applying his Mutual Value Integration model to improve communications and find the chemistry to make business solutions viable. Afterward, he will follow up with a humorous look at working relationships with physicians in a concurrent session entitled Doctors are from Jupiter and You’re From . . . Well, Actually, We don’t Care Where You’re From!
In addition to these excellent speakers, many of whom are our own MGMA AAA members, roundtable discussions are moderated by members who facilitate discussion while attendees share their experiences on a variety of issues of common interests.
Social events are a perfect time to network with colleagues and catch up with friends and we offer many including breakfast, lunch and networking receptions. In addition, a special reception is held prior to the opening reception to allow first-time attendees an opportunity to meet people and start networking right away.
Each year we enjoy tremendous support from many key vendors of anesthesia services and products who are “on hand” as sponsors and exhibitors during the breaks to demonstrate their offerings, answer questions and solicit feedback. [Please visit the ABC booth to pick up copies of – or to subscribe in your own name to – the Communiqué and our companion publication, the regular Monday “Alert.” – Ed.] The exhibit hall provides a great forum for comparison shopping and evaluating products your practice may need either now or in the future.
The InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, overlooks Biscayne Bay in the heart of Miami and is just minutes from South Beach, the Port of Miami, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. The hotel was originally built as a casino in anticipation of legalized gambling in Florida which never evolved. It boasts 641 redecorated guest rooms and suites and is an “oasis of sophistication and world-class service.” Miami itself is an incredible locale for our meeting. It offers brilliant beaches, fine dining, an exciting and diverse culture, world-class shopping, and a vibrant nightlife – what more could you ask for!
Act now! View the brochure to register, www.mgma.com/AAA or call 1-877-ASK-MGMA (275-6462) and request information. ASA members who sign up with their administrator who is currently an MGMA AAA member may attend at the member rate. There is also a special rate available for non-members to include purchase of their initial membership and obtain the membership price for the conference. Please do not hesitate to contact me at dormanb@musc.edu should you have questions or need more information about the conference or any aspect of MGMA AAA membership. We hope to see you in May, 2009!!
