By Melissa Varnavas

About a month after I joined ACDIS, in the fall of 2008, members began requesting information on how to network with other CDI professionals locally. A few enterprising volunteers in Massachusetts and Illinois actually had networking efforts in play, predating ACDIS.

If you are attending the conference this week, please visit the local chapter section of the ACDIS website to see what your local chapter leaders had planned. (Be sure to reach out to local leaders via the ACDIS App too.) The Utah chapter filled balloon letters to represent their state. The South Carolina and Florida chapters brough inflatible palm trees. Maryland ACDIS chapter brough handmade lettering and the most amazing configuration of imaginative table decorations we've ever seen. We got folks in Cubs gear, folks wearing Panther’s paraphernalia, some sparkly garb representing area code 505 (if you see them, you have to ask them--and thanks for making me an honorary member for the day!). I saw a wonderful woman in Gator gear and a woman from Kentucky sporting a race horse hat. I absolutely fell in love with each and every attendee who showed their local chapter pride today.

Every year, it seems, I am genuinely moved to tears by the graciousness and generosity of our ACDIS attendees, membership, and local networks. This is year is no different. I cannot thank you enough for helping to make ACDIS a true community.

Day 2 of the 10^th annual conference began with one of the most anticipated events of the conference: ZDogg MD. The level of excitement in the room was palpable as the room filled up to standing room only and attendees sought to make their way to the front to get a picture with ZDogg himself.

While there was a healthy amount of fun, games, and laughter throughout the session, ZDogg also shared the empowering story of his own disenfranchisement with the healthcare industry and his thought about how to make the future of healthcare better – what he calls “healthcare 3.0.”

This afternoon the core members of the ACDIS leadership team joined onstage in room 121-122, from 5-6 p.m., for a intimate conversation with a few dozen association members.

Healthcare organizations need to make crucial decisions based on the perceived risk of their patient populations. To do this, organizations need a complete picture of their population.