Local chapter update: Get your state-gear ready for San Antonio

Those fortunate enough to have attended the ACDIS national conference before know how much fun it can be. The first day of the conference, attendees are encouraged to show their ACDIS pride by dressing in purple and orange. This allows attendees to easily spot one another in the hotel lobby or enroute to the conference center, strike up a conversation, and make a new CDI acquaintance.

Similarly, on the second day of the conference attendees are encouraged to don some state-themed clothing—a sports team jersey, for example, or other easily discernable symbol (like lobster claw headbands for those from Maine). Chapter leaders may take the lead on this and determine what state-theme they wish wear. This allows attendees to quickly identify CDI professionals from their neighborhood without squinting at name badges, and is a fun and easy conversation starter for future networking.

Chapter leaders may also choose to gather a group of volunteers to decorate tables in the exhibit hall for the second day of the conference and invite other attendees from the state to join in the fun. ACDIS recommends decorating with items of some height such as helium balloons with the state abbreviation or theme. This is a great way for local chapters to identify new members and perhaps even new speakers or leaders for their groups.

Additionally, some local chapter leaders host after-hour events for those attending the national conference from their state. This year, ACDIS encourages local chapter leaders to leverage the closing night reception for this purpose. Registration for the closing night reception is separate from the conference itself but appetizers, drinks, and raffles will be provided. Leader can bring their lunch decorations and find a spot in the reception hall to congregate and relax with other local attendees.

No matter what your plans may be, make sure to let ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald and ACDIS Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas know what they are no later than May 4. ACDIS administration will email attendees by state on the local leaderships’ behalf informing them of all the fun things planned for the event. 

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. If you have an upcoming event you would like to include, please email Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Linnea Archibald (larchibald@acdis.org).

April:

• The Westchester/Hudson Valley ACDIS chapter meets on Thursday, April 12, 2-4 p.m., at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, in the Centennial Room. Click here to download the event flyer. For information, contact Kerry Seekircher (kseekircher@northwell.edu).
• The Wisconsin ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Wheaton Franciscan Medical Building Conference Center in Milwaukee. Lunch will be served. For information, contact Diane Draize (diane.draize@ascension.org).
• The Central New York chapter meets Thursday, April 19, 1-3 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, featuring a discussion on new types of myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation by Gregory Kenien, MD, physician champion for St. Joseph’s. RSVP by April 13 to Jennifer.Walts@sjhsyr.org.
• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, April 20, 12-2 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association in Elkridge. For information, contact Candace Blankenship (evalani3@msn.com).
• The Indiana ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Click here to download the agenda. Click here to download the registration form. For information, contact Leigh Wolff (lwolff@beaconhealthsystem.org).
• The Michigan ACDIS chapter meets on Wednesday, April 25, 12-1 p.m., via webinar. The topic will be clinical validation. For information, contact Susan Fantin (susan.fantin@comcast.net).
• The Colorado ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, April 26, 3-7 p.m., at Centura Corporate Headquarters in Centennial. For information, contact Diane Kohler (dianekohler@centura.org).
• The St. Louis Missouri ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, April 26, 6-8 p.m., at Missouri Baptist in St. Louis. For information, contact Mariann Dinello (mariann.dinello@ssmhealth.com or 314-344-6286).
• The CDI Educator ACDIS networking group meets on Friday, April 27, 12-1 p.m. PST, via webinar to discuss the topic of auditing your CDI program. Click here to download the save-the-date flyer. For information, contact M.E. VanGelder (me.vangelder@honorhealth.com).

May:

• The Suffolk County Long Island ACDIS chapter meets Friday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook. Please RSVP by April 27. To RSVP and for information, contact scacdis@gmail.com.
• The Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, May 30, 8-10 a.m., at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. For information, contact Gina Stewart (gstewart@e4-services.com).

June:

• The South Carolina ACDIS chapter tentatively plans to meet Friday, June 8, at MUSC in Charleston. For information, contact Mary Hopkins (mary.hopkins@hcahealthcare.com).
• The Massachusetts ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Agenda to follow. For information, contact Lara Faustino (lara.faustino@bmc.org).

Save-the-date:

• The North Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, August 24, for their summer conference at Mission Health in Asheville. More details to follow. For information, contact the leadership team (ncacdis@gmail.com).
• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, September 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Towson. Click here to download the save-the-date flyer. For information, contact Candace Blankenship (evalani3@msn.com).
• Missouri's three ACDIS chapters meet Saturday, October 20, for the third annual Show Me State conference at SSM DePaul in St. Louis. For information, contact Mariann Dinello (mariann.dinello@ssmhealth.com) or 314-344-6286.