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DEAN’S MESSAGE
Educational Workgroup on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Re- December, and attracts around 7,500 health care professionals and oth-
sponse, a partnership with the UT System Institute for Transforma- ers interested in the management and cure of breast cancer. The CME
tional Learning (ITL) and the Texas Department of State Health office also supports other meetings such as the Sports Medicine Sym-
Services (DSHS). The Workgroup was created in 2014 to assess and posium, now in its 44th year. “Pediatrics for the Practitioner” is an
enhance the state’s existing capabilities to prepare for and respond to annual conference that draws approximately 250 pediatricians and
pandemic disease such as Ebola. The group is now overseeing the cre- family practice physicians from across San Antonio, Laredo, the Rio
ation and maintenance of a website, Texas Infectious Disease Readiness, Grande Valley and other parts of the state . Many participants say they
https://www.txidr.org, which will facilitate state-wide information shar- rely on this meeting as their main source of education each year.
ing, education, training and research associated with infectious diseases
of public health significance. The website will offer courses, modules, The CME office also coordinates interactive workshops. For ex-
videos and other educational modalities supportive of healthcare and ample, the 11th Annual International Fixation Symposium (IEFS),
public health provider education and training on infectious diseases, taking place Dec. 8 – 10 in San Antonio, will let participants explore
along with CME credits. the surgical management of traumatic and diabetic conditions of
the lower extremities with local, national and international experts.
A focus on improving patient care is another factor contributing to This symposium offers hands-on cadaveric workshops as well as di-
the success of our CME program. In 2011, the Office earned “Accred- dactic lectures led by some of the world’s foremost experts on care
itation with Commendation”, a six-year term awarded to accreditors of the diabetic foot.
that demonstrate a commitment to quality improvement activities and
an interprofessional focus that provides education opportunities not The School’s CME program also brings the latest information
only to physicians, but also to other health care professionals. presented at national meetings to local physicians. The American
Society of Clinical Oncology Annual (ASCO) meeting is the world’s
The CME office plays a significant role in major medical confer- premier oncology event, drawing tens of thousands of participants
ences, including the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), each year. To bring a comprehensive summary of the ASCO Annual
the largest breast cancer meeting in the world. Each year it is held in Meeting’s presentations and clinical data to local healthcare profes-
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visit us at www.bcms.org 31
