In my role as SMA’s Executive Director I recognize that our physicians-in-training are incredibly active within the Association and are dedicated to learning and supporting each other as they navigate the beginnings of their medical careers. But recently I had the privilege of seeing their commitment and enthusiasm firsthand when I attended our 3rd Annual Physicians-in-Training (PIT) Leadership Conference at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, Tennessee. Our PIT leaders, in conjunction with SMA leaders and staff, put together a perfect blend of leadership development, scholarly activities, mentoring, and fun. 

First off, I would like to offer a very special thank you to UTHSC College of Medicine Executive Dean Dr. Scott Strome and Dr. G. Nicholas Verne, Chair of the UTHSC Department of Medicine, SMA President-Elect Dr. Christopher Jackson, and the incredible staff at UT for allowing us use of their incredible facility to host this event. The weekend featured abstract sessions as well as several faculty presentations:

• “Ask Me Anything” with Dr. Steven Baldwin, Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Medical Journal 
• “Primary Care and Urgent Care Synergy: Pieces of a Puzzle” presented by Dr. James "Bernie" Short
• “Proactive Medicine in a Reactive World” presented by SMA President Dr. Lawrence "Lee" Carter
• “The Audacity to Lead: My Journey in Academic Medicine” presented by Dr. Christopher Jackson

Complementing the conference’s educational offerings were social events and networking opportunities that allowed attendees the chance to get to know each other or reconnect. 

In addition to our wonderful hosts and faculty, I am grateful for the support of our conference sponsors and exhibitors – Irontribe Fitness, SMA Services Inc., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and ZeaHealth. They each contributed significantly to the success of this event.

As I reflect on this year’s meeting and look ahead to 2024’s conference, I am honored to work with such passionate medical students, residents, and fellows who are hard working, thoughtful, and dedicated when it comes to their careers and taking care of people. These individuals are clearly leaders who will be making a future impact in all our lives. I'm proud to be associated with their development and I hope you will become a part of their journey as well. 

No matter where you are on your career path, you are part of the SMA Family of Medicine and I encourage you to get involved if you haven’t already.

If you are a physician-in-training

• Join the Family of Medicine
• Become a part of the PIT Committee Leadership
• Submit an abstract for SMA’s 2023 Annual Scientific Assembly
• Join the PIT GroupMe

If you would like to support SMA’s physicians-in-training

• Sign up for SMA’s Mentoring Program 
• Donate to SMA’s Research & Education Endowment Fund
• Purchase a Sponsorship
• Exhibit at SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly or PIT Leadership Conference