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.

For the last interview of our “10 Years in 10 Minutes” series, I had a chance to talk with Scott Bradbury, Vice President of Education at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, who was part of the panel for our Tech Tools We Can’t Live Without session in the fall of 2014. While I was happy for an opportunity to catch up with Scott, I rewatched the session with some trepidation. I honestly could not remember what “tech tools” each of the panelists discussed and had some concern that 10 years on, one of them might have made a recommendation equivalent to “Betamax is the wave of the future!!” I should note that around this same period of time, I did a presentation where I recommended people start using Screenr, Google+ Hangouts On-Air, and SlideShare. The first two no longer exist and few people still use the third one. You can understand my concern.

Fortunately, the panel for our “Tech Tools” session was much more knowledgeable than I, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the tools recommended during the session are still in use today. For his part, Scott focused on a small little tool that some of you techy types may have heard of before called YouTube. It’s done a little better than Screenr over the past 10 years.

Join Scott and I as we talk about what he’s been up to in his role with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, his experience with the early days of CMEpalooza, and a more modern tech tool that he can’t live with out. I managed to keep this one much closer to the 10 minute mark, so a pat on the back for me.

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.