Abstract
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As well as providing an opportunity to learn new information about breastfeeding and lactation, the conference is also an excellent venue for networking with other physicians with similar interests and hearing how they have managed issues that are common to many of us. These interactions are just as important as the formal part of the program, often leading to lifelong friendships and collaborations that would never have been possible without the ABM. Next year the conference will be held in Cleveland, OH, November 12–16. I hope that you will seriously consider joining us at the conference—whether you are a member or not.
The ABM Board also had an opportunity to meet face-to-face at the Annual Meeting. Normally we meet by teleconference, so meeting in-person, to be able to see each other across the board table and to hear each other well, encourages better communication when we aren't together. This face-to-face meeting also provides an opportunity for in-depth discussion about important issues affecting the Academy and breastfeeding worldwide.
Several members finished their term on the Board at the meeting. We said farewell to Elien Rouw from Germany as well as Debra Bogan, Michelle Brenner, Jerry Calnen, and Becky Sanez from the United States. I would like to thank them all for the commitment they have made to ABM over the last 3–6 years and the work they have accomplished over that time. In particular, I would like to thank Jerry for his contribution as President-elect, President, and Past-President over the last 6 years. I would also like to thank Arthur Eidelman for his leadership over the last 2 years as President.
We welcomed five new Board members—Julie Ware, Ann Kellams, Eyla Boies, Sarah Reece-Stremtam, and Natasha Siriraman—and welcomed Ruth Lawrence on her return to the Board. Julie Taylor was also elected President-elect and will assume the role of President in 2 years.
Committees also have an opportunity to meet at the conference. These committees, made up of Academy members from anywhere in the world, undertake activities to maximize the visibility and function of the Academy. For example, the Protocol Committee is responsible for developing the ABM protocols (published in this journal and found at www.bfmed.org/Resources/Protocols.aspx), while the International Committee's mandate is to ensure the Academy maintains a global perspective. Many committees are looking for new members. Some committees require a significant time commitment and people with specialized skills; for others, the commitment is less demanding, but all require their members to respond to e-mails in a timely fashion and participate in teleconferences if required. If you are interested in becoming a member of a committee such as the Protocol, Membership, Education, International, or Communications Committee, no matter where you live, please e-mail abm@bfmed.org and your message will be forwarded on to the appropriate Committee Chair.
We are all looking forward with excitement to the possibilities for ABM in 2014. I hope you will join with us.