President's Corner
The Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (APDEM) continues to educate, support, empower, and represent endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism program directors. APDEM works hard to foster excellence in the field by providing a medium for discussion and education about the latest issues facing the training programs and program directors.
The main issue for APDEM in 2007 has been the decision to join the Match. There was much discussion about the processes used in the past and those used by other internal medicine sub-specialties. The APDEM Annual Meeting, which took place in Toronto, Canada on June 3, 2007, was a forum for much of the discussion about the Match. At this point, APDEM has established a sufficient response rate from the program directors to make a decision regarding participation in the National Residency Matching Program (www.nrmp.org) for the 2009 recruiting season. Indeed, with over 85% of programs supporting the match, we have taken the first steps for endocrinology to participate in the Match for the 2009 season. Information to each of you will be forthcoming from both APDEM and the NRMP.
We will continue to keep open the lines of communication with those few programs who remain reluctant to enter into the match process. I hope that we are able to have an open dialogue on how the process works when we convene at next year's annual meeting. Moreover, as the process moves forward in the months ahead, I encourage you to contact me with comments, questions and suggestions. I also urge you to utilize the new e-forum (apdem.org/eforum) available on the APDEM website to discuss the process and ask questions. This will allow others with the same questions can view the answers and participate in the dialogue.
APDEM is continually making enhancements to the website. The website allows members to list information about their programs, and enables fellows to search specific criteria to determine the program that best meet their needs. Information and timelines about the match will be posted on the website.
APDEM has also developed working committees to focus on important issues. Members are encouraged to join one or more of the committees that have been created. Currently, APDEM has the following committees available for members to join, most of which only require a small amount of telephone conference call time. To join, contact APDEM Staff at 301-941-0243. Following, is the list of committees:
- Competency Issue Committee
- Curriculum Committee
- Development Committee
- Pediatric Liaison Committee
- Membership Committee
- Website Committee
APDEM continues to maintain close relationships with its Sister Societies in endocrinology. APDEM extends thanks to the following for their current and future support:
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
- American Diabetes Association (ADA)
- American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
- The American Thyroid Association (ATA)
- The Endocrine Society (TES)
- The Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES)
The decision to join the match has been a big focus this year, and it continues to be a long-term goal of APDEM to serve as the representative voice for all endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship training programs. APDEM is dedicated to ensuring that the quality of training in endocrinology is uniformly acceptable across the range of programs and that the fellowship candidates, when they have completed their training, are capable of entering the clinical and academic work force in our specialty. Moreover, APDEM is positioned to facilitate the transfer of essential data between fellowship candidates, fellowship trainees and training programs. In this way, universal inclusion within the APDEM umbrella will enhance all aspects of the practice of endocrinology.
I would also encourage any suggestions regarding topics for the APDEM council and membership to discuss in 2008. We are looking to develop a mechanism to support programs as they proceed through the accreditation process with the ACGME and the RRC. This will include forums on preparation, documentation (including the curriculum) and the site visit itself.
We appreciate your continued support, participation and suggestions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or the APDEM Administrator, at (301) 941-0243 or e-mail staff@apdem.org.
With best regards,
Alan Dalkin
APDEM President
Acd6v@virginia.edu