LUGPA’s mission to preserve and advance the independent practice of urology remains of paramount importance as we complete LUGPA’s first decade. Assuredly, we are looking forward to another exceptional annual LUGPA meeting for 2018, again held at the Fairmont Millennium Park Hotel in Chicago. This meeting is the most well-attended event on the LUGPA calendar, with over 500 individuals in attendance, representing more than 150 member practice groups throughout the United States.
The 2018 meeting theme, Preserving Our Future Through Innovation, promises to deliver an outstanding educational experience. Representing our unique view point within the international urology community, LUGPA’s event serves as a springboard, providing the fuel for groups to become both exhilarated and innovative in the coming year—and, as always, to ensure that our member groups are capable of thriving in their pursuit of excellence in clinical and administrative goals in today’s healthcare environment. If your group is independent and you aren’t already members of LUGPA, there is still time to join before the meeting—your practice’s success may depend on it.
Beginning on Thursday, November 1, the annual CME program will focus on “Disruptive Technologies: What to Know?” The program will feature innovative topics in a highly interactive setting, including sessions on:
Registration for the CME program is open to all urologists (including non-LUGPA members). More information can be found on LUGPA’s website, www.lugpa.org.
Thursday’s programming also includes separate educational programming for practice administrators, medical directors, and laboratory directors. Our unique program format allows for deep dives into the business and practice issues that may be causing your group conflict or consternation. This programming is an opportunity to get real-world wisdom and solutions for these ongoing and ever-changing issues.
Friday and Saturday’s programming will include timely presentations and discussions, inclusive of health policy and leadership concerns, led by a nationally renowned faculty.
Keynote speaker John C. Maxwell will speak about the need for leaders at every level—a critical imperative for the future of independent urology. Maxwell is a New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker who has sold more than 24 million books. Often called the country’s No. 1 leadership authority, Maxwell has been identified as the most popular leadership expert in the world.
Presenting on Leading Change and Innovation, Dr. Stephen Beeson is a nationally recognized speaker who has provided tools and tactics for engaging and training physicians for hundreds of medical groups. Dr. Beeson is founder of the Physician Effectiveness Project at PracticingExcellence.com. The Project is an online learning and skill-building solution designed to mobilize and engage physicians around patient centeredness, team leadership, and care coordination needed to drive the metrics that define high-value healthcare organizations.
Urology groups have expressed strong interest in the use of telehealth technology to improve patient care and expand their group’s outreach. Christian Milaster, President and Founder of Ingeneium Telehealth, will present “Telehealth in Urology: Opportunities and Obstacles,” as well as providing two breakout sessions on pragmatic approaches to initiating telehealth.
Health policy and political affairs will also take center stage, with incisive commentary from Dr. Mara Holton of LUGPA’s Health Policy Committee and Dr. Gary Kirsh, Chair of Political Affairs, along with LUGPA’s DC-based lobbyists John McManus, of the McManus Group and Tracy Spicer of DC Avenue Solutions. LUGPA continues to lead in health policy and government affairs through direct efforts with Congress, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and other regulatory agencies.
Other notable presentations will include breakout sessions on innovations in urology group practice, featuring:
Over its decade-long history, LUGPA is proud of its accomplishments to help our member groups confront the considerable challenges faced by independent urology practices. As we celebrate our successes at our 10th anniversary meeting, we must remain steadfast, dedicated, and flexible to assure the survival of the independent practice of urology. As I complete my second year as LUGPA President, I am honored to have held this position and I look forward to welcoming you at our Annual Meeting and further discussing my thoughts on our first decade, the challenges that lie ahead, and most importantly, why there is still wonderment within the practice of urology.