OMED23 highlights: Get the lowdown on main stage speakers, specialty tracks and Orlando magic

This October, thousands of DOs gathered at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to “capture the magic” at OMED 2023. The largest gathering of osteopathic physicians, students and allied health professionals in the world boasted brilliant main stage speakers, 200+ hours of programming across 23 different medical specialties, 12-foot-tall dancing flamingos and dueling pianos over an unforgettable weekend in Orlando.

If you missed catching OMED23 in person, you can still enjoy all of the sessions and presentations virtually on the OMED platform through Dec. 31, 2023. Virtual conference registration is open through mid-December. Highlights from OMED23 included:

Keynotes

The main stage speakers were hand-picked to represent standout DOs who are doing amazing work in their fields.

Brigadier General Mary Krueger, DO, commanding general of Medical Readiness Command East and the 24th chief of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, highlighted the accomplishments of outstanding DOs serving in the military, presenting a photo slideshow of some of our armed forces’ most notable osteopathic physicians past and present.

Cole Zanetti, DO, shared the newest developments in artificial intelligence, one of the most dominant themes of the conference. In his talk, Dr. Zanetti discussed how future and emerging technologies can reduce osteopathic physicians’ “pajama time”—the time spent doing charts at home—and improve physicians’ quality of life and patient care across many domains.

Omar Lateef, DO, CEO of the RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago, covered strategies for addressing systemic inequalities in health care, sharing his organization’s policies of mission-driven partnerships with other health systems, their vendors and suppliers and local community businesses. He presented the university’s West Side United initiative as a health equity model to follow, illustrating how “corporate clout” can help underprivileged communities thrive.

CME sessions and tracks

Programming at OMED23 spanned 23 medical specialties and included sessions presented by many affiliate organizations.

A feature highlight this year was the AOIA Future of Medicine Track, expanding on Dr. Zanetti’s keynote presentation with osteopathic physicians and industry leaders to cover topics such as generative artificial intelligence, digital health practice and education and how these innovations can improve physician well-being and patient care outcomes.

In another feature, several diversity, equity and inclusion sessions focused on how physicians can effectively deliver health care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors by tailoring their care to meet patients’ social, cultural and linguistic needs.

In addition to specialty programs, content aimed specifically at students curated by the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) was presented in the student track, including tips for preparing for the residency match, how to master clinical rotations, suturing skills stations and content for premed students as well.

Resident-specific topics were interspersed throughout the conference and denoted by a special “R” marking on the conference program. Sessions focused on navigating life as a resident physician, preparing for practice as an attending and patient care pearls and skills mastery topics.

OMED23 also hosted a research and student poster competition, with accepted abstracts published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.

Social highlights

OMED may be about education and professional development, but the conference wouldn’t be complete without the rich social scene and networking events that round out the in-person experience.

Thursday night kicked off with the OMED Welcome Reception, which featured a special visit from a couple flamingos on stilts and some uniquely Orlando magic. On Friday night, the incomparable AOF Honors Gala was held in the elegant ballrooms of the Swan Hotel.

Saturday closed out with a bang with a conference-wide networking social, AOA awards and a pair of dueling pianos on the main stage. Finally, for those who managed to wake up after all that excitement and make it to the annual A.T. Still Fit for Life Fun Run, the fresh morning air of the runner’s paradise of central Florida in the fall was their reward (also, presumably relatively clean coronaries).

While you may have to make the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association’s signature cocktail on your own now, you can still experience a piece of the OMED23 magic by accessing virtual content now through Dec. 31, 2023, from the comfort of your home or office. Review the conference program for a full lineup of sessions.

See you in San Antonio next year for OMED 2024!

Related reading:

AOA honors leaders, researchers and affiliates for advancing osteopathic medicine

What med students need to know about the business of medicine