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.
2009 was another busy year for APDEM. We participated in the NRMP Fellowship Match in Endocrinology for the second year in a row, maintaining over 75% participation and continuing to communicate closely with the NRMP to make the Match as fair and effective as possible. APDEM also co-sponsored the first annual Endocrine Self Assessment Program In Training Examination (ESAP-ITE) with The Endocrine Society. The ESAP-ITE is a self-assessment exam for clinical fellows in endocrinology which functions as a tool for assessment and evaluation for program directors and fellows, and had strong participation in its inaugural year.
APDEM's Annual Meeting was on June 11th in Washington, DC. At the meeting, members discussed the NRMP Match, the ESAP-ITE exam and the development of the new RRC Program Requirements in Endocrinology. Dr. Ashok Balasubramanyam of Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Debra Simmons of the University of Arkansas and Dr. Pamela Taxel of the University of Connecticut led a panel discussion about ACGME site visits, sharing their experiences with APDEM members with an aim to help members prepare for successful site visits of their own. The panel discussion was followed by a dynamic and informative question and answer session with members.
APDEM will continue to work on these issues and others which are important to its members. Currently, we are in the process of developing a Site Visit Toolbox on the APDEM website which will allow program directors to share information and resources with one another for successful ACGME site visits. APDEM is also staying closely involved with the development of the new RRC Program Requirements in Endocrinology. As you know, APDEM has asked for your comments throughout the revisions process and will continue to ensure that program directors have the opportunity to add their input to the curriculum. The ESAP-ITE will be administered again in April 2010, and we will continue to develop the exam into a highly useful tool for program directors and for fellows. APDEM will also continue to encourage participation in the 2010 NRMP Match and will provide avenues for members to voice their suggestions for making the Match as effective as possible to the NRMP.
As always, APDEM continues to maintain close relationships with its Sister Societies in endocrinology. APDEM extends thanks to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Diabetes Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Thyroid Association, the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and The Endocrine Society for their current and future support.
We appreciate your continued support, participation and suggestions. If you have any questions or would like to get more involved with APDEM's exciting work in the coming year, please do not hesitate to us at (301) 941-0243 or e-mail staff@apdem.org.
Sincerely,
Susan Mandel, MD MPH
President