ABMS Conference 2024: Where Healthcare Innovators Meet
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) will host its annual ABMS Conference 2024 from September 24-26. This gathering brings together board-certified specialists, educators, and credentialing organizations to examine what’s changing—and what must endure—in medical certification and education. It’s a chance to step back from the day-to-day, compare notes with peers, and look ahead at how physicians learn, are assessed, and maintain standards across their careers.
Innovation Meets Education
At its core, the ABMS Conference is a working forum for advancing assessment, lifelong learning, and professional standards in a fast-moving clinical world. Attendees explore practical approaches to improving physician competence and patient care, with an emphasis on what works in the clinic, the classroom, and the exam room. Expect idea-sharing grounded in experience, not just theory, and time to connect those ideas to your own practice or program.
Interactive Learning Sessions
This year’s program spans two and a half full days of active learning. The agenda includes two plenary sessions and approximately 40 targeted breakout sessions, so you can tailor your schedule to your interests and professional needs. The meeting also features 35 posters highlighting innovative concepts and early results—concise snapshots that invite questions, conversation, and collaboration.
Networking and Collaboration
Beyond the sessions, the conference builds in space for people to meet. Structured networking and informal conversations happen throughout the event, bringing together professionals from different specialties and organizations. Those touchpoints often spark collaborations, help refine ideas, and widen the circle of colleagues you can call after the meeting ends.
Highlighted Sessions to Watch
The opening plenary tackles a timely theme: how artificial intelligence is changing medicine. Titled "Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Embracing the Opportunities and Facing the Challenges," the session features expert voices unpacking both the promise and the risks of AI in healthcare. Expect discussion about where AI can support clinicians and learners, where caution belongs, and how to keep patients and professionalism at the center.
Expert Speakers
Keynote speakers include leaders who work at the intersection of education, assessment, and innovation: Jason Frank, MD, Director of the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education at the University of Ottawa; Michele S. Pore, MBA, CAE, Executive Director of Administrative Affairs at the American Board of Anesthesiology; and Victoria Yaneva, PhD, Manager of AI and NLP Research at the National Board of Medical Examiners. Their perspectives reflect day-to-day realities as well as long-term strategy.
Competency-Based Medical Education
The Lois Margaret Nora Endowed Lecture explores "Competency-Based Medical Education: Where We Were, Where We Are, and Where We Need to Be." The session traces the evolution of competency frameworks, clarifies current practice, and considers what’s next for designing training that better aligns with patient needs. The goal is to help professionals see how frameworks translate into meaningful progress—measurable skills, trusted milestones, and stronger outcomes.
Renowned Speakers
The lecture features medical experts who lead this work across institutions and specialties: Bronwyn H. Bryant, MD, from the University of Vermont Medical Center; David F. Martin, MD, Executive Director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; and David A. Turner, MD, Vice President of Competency-Based Medical Education at the American Board of Pediatrics. Together, they’ll connect the big picture to practical steps organizations can take now.
About the American Board of Medical Specialties
Established in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sets standards for physician certification in the United States and supports ongoing professional development. ABMS works with its member boards to strengthen quality, safety, and trust in the physician workforce. Today, more than 985,000 physicians are certified in 40 specialties and 89 subspecialties through the organization’s member boards—an ongoing commitment to rigorous preparation, fair assessment, and better care for patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the ABMS Conference 2024?
The conference brings healthcare professionals together to examine advances in medical education, certification, and innovation. It’s designed to share practical approaches, compare experiences across specialties, and shape what lifelong learning and assessment look like in the years ahead.
Who are the key speakers at the conference?
Featured speakers include Jason Frank, MD; Michele S. Pore, MBA, CAE; and Bronwyn H. Bryant, MD, among others. Their roles span curriculum innovation, assessment leadership, and specialty practice, offering a well-rounded view of where the field is headed.
What types of sessions will be held during the conference?
The program includes plenary talks, targeted breakout sessions, poster presentations, and dedicated networking opportunities. You can build a custom schedule that fits your interests—from high-level strategy to hands-on implementation.
How many healthcare professionals are expected to attend?
The event anticipates gathering over 400 healthcare professionals from various specialties and organizations. That mix supports rich conversation and peer learning, whether you’re new to the work or leading a mature program.
Why is AI a focus at this year’s conference?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into clinical care, assessment, and education, so understanding its benefits and limits is essential. The conference explores both opportunity and risk, with an emphasis on patient-centered use and responsible adoption.
