🎓 Reconnecting, Learning, and Leading: The Essential Role of the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting

Each spring, internists from around the globe come together in camaraderie, curiosity, and a shared mission at the American College of Physicians’ (ACP) yearly Internal Medicine Meeting. In 2025, this dynamic event hosted in New Orleans reaffirmed its prestigious status—providing invaluable continuing medical education (CME), promoting professional development, and cultivating a tightly-knit community of internal medicine practitioners.

The Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 was not merely an update in clinical education; it celebrated connections, career reflections, and the principles that shape contemporary medical practice. One participant affectionately noted, “So wonderful to see you!”—a sentiment that resonated throughout the convention center, embodying the feelings of thousands present.

🔍 Why the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting Is Significant

1. Educational Superiority: A Wealth of Knowledge
Since it began, the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting has been recognized as a benchmark for internal medicine education. From its early gatherings—like the 1990s event in Philadelphia—to its current comprehensive format, the conference has evolved into an extraordinary academic experience. Featuring hundreds of engaging lectures, case-based workshops, and hands-on clinical skills sessions, the event highlights the latest evidence-based practices and medical innovations.

Participants frequently describe the meeting as a “cornucopia” of learning, presenting clinical gems at every turn. This year, the trending pharmacological agent tirzepatide was humorously referred to as “the Taylor Swift of pharmacology,” reflecting its increasing significance and potential influence in internal medicine. Such lively comparisons, paired with real-world relevance, ensure that the sessions are not only insightful but also enjoyable and unforgettable.

Topics range from new treatment guidelines and diagnostic challenges to discussions on ethics, health disparities, and healthcare reform. Whether you’re a novice medical student or a distinguished fellow of the College, there is something to capture everyone’s interest.

2. Inspiration: A Shared Mission in the Profession
The ACP’s annual meeting goes beyond simply earning CME credits or fulfilling requirements; it offers a glimpse into the evolving role of internal medicine and the fundamental values cherished by the field. Tailored tracks for medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians honor the continuum of professional growth while recognizing the unique contributions made by each group.

The meeting exemplifies ACP’s commitment to uphold professionalism and excellence in healthcare. From keynote speeches to breakout sessions focused on physician wellness and leadership techniques, participants depart feeling motivated and reinvigorated in their dedication to internal medicine.

Students praised it as “fantastic.” Experienced attendees acknowledged the depth that ACP brings—embodying its vision to enhance healthcare through clinical, educational, and ethical excellence.

As former Treasurer of the ACP, Dr. Janet Jokela expressed, “This meeting is invigorating and represents excellence in action.” Every session, connection, handshake, and shared laugh advances ACP’s broader mission—to nurture continuous excellence in internal medicine.

3. Community: More than Colleagues—A Family
Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting is the community it fosters. For many, it is the one occasion each year to reconnect with friends, mentors, and allies in advocacy.

In a time often marked by isolation and burnout, the annual meeting serves as a refuge—a space to reconnect, share experiences, lend support to one another, and recall the reasons we chose this journey. The professional relationships forged often blossom into lifelong friendships, mentorships, and collaborations.

This year also carried emotional significance, as attendees reflected on those absent—like a colleague facing health difficulties—reminding everyone of the delicate nature and resilience of the human experience. These personal moments enhance their empathy and become emotional anchors for the work they do with patients.

🎯 Looking Forward: Internal Medicine Meeting 2026 in San Francisco
The 2026 Internal Medicine Meeting will be hosted in San Francisco, offering new opportunities to learn, connect, and develop. Early registration is now open, and participation is strongly encouraged for anyone in the field of internal medicine—particularly students, residents, and early-career professionals seeking deep immersion in their practice.

In addition to incredible CME credits and access to leading experts, it promises a career-shaping experience filled with inspiration and a purpose-driven community. At a time when the field of medicine is rapidly evolving, belonging to a professional organization like ACP offers essential support, education, and advocacy for both physicians and the patients they care for.

📣 Final Reflection
The American College of Physicians is more than a medical society—it embodies a movement dedicated to improving healthcare, advancing physician development, and fostering ethical leadership. Its annual Internal Medicine Meeting showcases this mission at its most human level.

To echo Dr. Jokela: “I cannot envision my career without ACP and the national meeting.”

If you are an internist—whether you are just starting out or are already established—attending this event