AAMA : Blogs : My Experience at the 2014 AAMA National Summit of Medical Administrators

My experience at the 2014 AAMA National Summit of Medical Administrators was extremely eye opening and exciting. I come from the unique position of working with a large health facility run strictly in accordance with military guidelines and regulations. I was pleasantly surprised that the majority of the classes visions and mission statements presented were very similar for their customers as ours is in the military, in that we both strive to do our very best to “Take Care of Our Soldiers.”

The opportunities for information sharing and networking were invaluable. I made connections and contacts with individuals who I believe will assist in mentoring me in my future career aspirations, and also with individuals who I believe I will assist and mentor in their future goals.

All of the sessions had speakers who were well-versed and extremely experienced in their area of expertise. Of particular note was the session led by a retired Air Force Colonel, “Finding a Civilian Career after the Military.” The Summit provided excellent strategies for getting into the next career field that you want to pursue after the military.

Overall, I walked away convinced this is the way ahead for ensuring success and prosperity in the medical community at large. Since the conference, I have already seen doors open for some of my fellow military personnel who were able to pass the CAAMA test, based solely on their affiliation with AAMA.

I am very pleased with the experience I had at the Summit, and I am anxiously awaiting future opportunities to meet and fellowship with my CAAMA peers. I believe my experience at the Summit will positively impact my continued effort to bring the highest quality of care to Service Members in the Indiana Army National Guard and someday to the civilian sector.

Submitted by Christopher M. Williams, PhD, CAAMA, HFA MAJ, INARNG Deputy State Surgeon.