Since Derek loves to tell you when he’s read some sort of life-changing book that makes him seem incredibly erudite and worldly (note from Derek: I’m currently reading the fourth book in Robert Caro’s brilliant The Years of Lyndon Johnson series. Don’t tell me I don’t know how to have a good time), I thought I’d share a bit of insight on a far-less academically stimulating book I recently read that actually has quite a bit of relevance to what’s going on in the world of CMEpalooza (and today’s blog post).

The book was called “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever” and delved into the lives and history of the two most well-known movie reviewers of all time. Apparently, these guys didn’t like each other a whole lot off screen, but they managed to put aside their personal differences to form a powerhouse duo once the cameras were rolling. Just like our CMEpalooza power duo! (just kidding – Derek and I actually do get along. Well, most of the time) (additional note from Derek: this seems like an appropriate time to mention that in 1978, Gene Siskel bought the polyester white suit that John Travolta wore in Saturday Night Fever for $2,000. If anyone would like to buy the brown denim shirt I have worn during multiple paloozas for $2,000, please let me know.)

Anyway, Siskel and Ebert were famous for their reviews of “coming attractions,” which would leave the public salivating over the chance to take in the best blockbusters once they were released. Just like I’m about to do with our CMEpalooza Coming Attractions announcement!

1. On Monday (September 30), we’ll be launching our special sponsor event, this year entitled “CMEpalooza Electoral College.” Because I know that none of us are tired of politics right now, I figured we’d jump into the fray with this specially themed event. Cash prizes (ie, Amazon gift cards) will be offered, as usual.
2. The following week (beginning on Monday, October 7), the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge returns for another go. While I am ineligible to participate, our event sponsor (Talem Health) is kind enough to send me the free swag that we offer to every single entrant (there are, again, cash prizes for lucky winners). It’s really good stuff that I actually wear or use frequently, so I’d encourage you to give it a go.
3. Of course, the main event (CMEpalooza Fall) is happening on Wednesday, Oct. 16. There have been some recent updates to the agenda that you may want to check out.

And for now, the curtain is closed.

When Derek and I came up with the idea for our Tin Anniversary “10 Years in 10 Minutes” series earlier this year, it forced us to take a look back at some of our old agendas to see where everyone from 2014 had meandered professionally since then. Some people had jumped around to multiple organizations; very, very few were still with the same employer.

Allison Gardner, PhD, is one of those few who have stayed put – she recently celebrated her 15th year with Med-IQ. Allison has certainly taken on more responsibility since her CMEpalooza debut, though we’ll only take part of the credit for her professional ascension.

While we didn’t have time to talk about Allison’s undoubtedly fascinating 2007 paper entitled “CaMKII can participate in but is not sufficient for the establishment of the membrane block to polyspermy in mouse eggs” (it’s sadly behind a paywall), we did have time to banter about her earliest CMEpalooza experiences, the need to be prepared in educational emergencies, and those balmy Chicago winters.

One of the nice things about a long-ish career in one particular field is that you get to see some of the good people you work with succeed by moving on to bigger and better things where they can spread their wings. I had the good fortune of sharing ideas and travels with John Ruggiero at an early professional stop for both of us in the CME space, and could clearly tell even then that this was someone who was going places.

Everybody likes John, and for good reason (even if he will never tell you how old he is). John is unfailingly kind, witty, talented, and truly celebrates the successes of others. He probably has a mean bone somewhere in his body, but he hides it well.

Now in his role as Executive Director of U.S. Medical Affairs, and Head of HEOR & Real World Evidence/Learning at Daiichi Sankyo, John took a few moments out of his travels to join us in the latest installment of our special “10 Years in 10 Minutes” CMEpalooza Tin Anniversary series. Here, we talk about the importance of provider/supporter communication, how CMEpalooza predicted the COVID pandemic (sort of), and the secret password at McDonalds.