Vol XX, December `05

• Spring Research Network Conference addressing issues such as informed consent and offering updates on ongoing research studies.
  
• Wall of Caring, the Foundation's annual fundraising event that gives the organization's supporters and friends an opportunity to pay tribute to the individuals and organizations that encouraged them to pursue careers in geriatrics and long term care and that continue to inspire them every day.
  
• Futures Program, a popular primer on long term care and geriatrics for fellows and residents. Every year, this program is filled to capacity with young physicians interested in learning more about careers in this care setting and networking with AMDA members. This year's course co-chairs are Cari Levy, MD, CMD, and Cheryl Phillips, MD, CMD.
  
• Art of Caring - Works of "heART", an art auction to benefit the Foundation. This special, first-time event will give Annual Symposium participants an opportunity to bid on artwork by nursing facility residents and celebrities, as well as photographs by well-known physician, photographer, and AMDA member Jeffrey Levine, MD, CMD. Attendees also will enjoy live music and a dessert reception.
  
• AMDA Foundation booth, located in the exhibit hall, will offer meeting participants a chance to learn more about the Foundation and the many programs, studies, and projects it supports every year. This year, watch for the first-ever Foundation Annual Report.
  
• Program sessions on the long term care panel of the FPIN and translating research into practice.
  
• AMDA Foundation/Pfizer Quality Improvement Awards. Recipients will present updates on their projects, including "The Development of a Sleep Enhancement Program within Residential Aged Care" and "Effects of Natural Light Therapy on Sleep in the Elderly."

Watch the January issue of this newsletter for further details about all of these activities. In the meantime, click here for a complete schedule of AMDA Foundation programs in Dallas.