Inaugural ACAAM Resident Recruitment Fair a Success

The first ACAAM Virtual Addiction Medicine Training Recruitment Fair was held September 14, with residents from around the country meeting addiction medicine fellowships and learning about the specialty from a panel of program directors.

Thirty-nine addiction medicine fellowships participated in the event, which featured virtual breakout “tables” where interested residents could visit with fellowships one-on-one.

Residents learned about addiction medicine’s evolution and current status from ACAAM President-elect Jeanette Tetrault, MD FACP FASAM. Further insights about addiction medicine training and career paths were provided by a panel of program directors moderated by Vice President for Medical and Academic Affairs Tim Brennan, MD MPH. The panel included Abi Plawman, MD (MultiCare Health System program in Puyallup, WA); Sheila Specker, MD (University of Minnesota); and Kenneth Zoucha, MD (University of Nebraska), as well as Anita Karnik, MD (University of Arizona-Phoenix); Alma Ramic, MD (Loyola University); and Maureen Strohm, MD (HCA Healthcare, Las Vegas).

Seventy-three residents registered for the Fair. About three dozen of these registrants tuned into the live event, with those who did not attend citing unanticipated last-minute conflicts with their residency responsibilities and expressing ongoing interest in addiction medicine.

The residents who attended were from 15 states, and nearly half were in family medicine training. Residents in internal medicine, preventive medicine, and pediatrics were also on hand.

The Fair was part of ACAAM’s effort to increase awareness of addiction medicine, being spearheaded by the program director-led Pipeline Task Group. Dr. Zoucha chaired the Fair planning group, which will begin work soon on another Fair next spring. Please watch for information about how to get involved!