Dear AACE Community,

Last month brought meaningful conversations about patient access, the physician workforce and the future of AACE. This month, I look forward to building on those conversations and connecting with our global endocrine community.

October Highlights

• Illinois Association of Clinical Endocrinology 2026 Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois (Oct. 3): AACE President Dace L. Trence, MD, MACE, and I had the pleasure of connecting with members at the Illinois Association of Clinical Endocrinology Annual Meeting. Our regional visits provide valuable opportunities to hear directly from endocrinologists and discuss how AACE can support their practices and patients. An added highlight was attending a presentation by Johnson Thomas, MD, editor-in-chief of our digital publication, AACE Endocrine AI, who shared insights on how health care professionals can apply artificial intelligence in practice.
• The Access Gap: Treating Patients with Obesity in the GLP-1 Era, Washington, D.C. (Oct. 7): I also attended this event hosted by The Atlantic, which included thoughtful discussions about the challenges patients face in accessing obesity treatment. These conversations reinforced the importance of improving access so that advances in care can reach the people who need them.
• Fall Board Meeting, Dallas, Texas (Oct. 15-17): Our Fall Board Meeting focused on strategic priorities and the future of our organization. Together, we approved the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers for 2027 and explored new initiatives to support our global community. Our Board of Directors also met with industry partners through the Corporate AACE Partnership (CAP), a collaborative program that brings industry and AACE together to advance patient care. Thank you to our CAP partners for supporting our mission, members, and patients. I am grateful for the commitment of our Board and leadership team as we continue advancing our 2026-2029 strategic plan.
• American College of Physicians Council of Subspecialty Societies meeting (Oct. 19): AACE Past President Dr. Jonathan Leffert and I joined leaders across medical specialties to discuss challenges facing the physician workforce. We explored the importance of addressing workforce shortages, supporting the next generation of physicians and ensuring continued access to quality health care for all patients. It was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with organizations working toward our shared goals.
• ASAE CEO Roundtable (Oct. 21): I also participated in the ASAE CEO Roundtable, chaired by Anne Forristall Luke. It was an excellent opportunity to engage, exchange ideas and learn from fellow leaders. I always appreciate gaining new perspectives that can inform our work at AACE.

November Engagements

• American Thyroid Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia (Nov. 4-7): I look forward to attending the American Thyroid Association Annual Meeting and connecting with endocrinologists and other health care professionals dedicated to advancing thyroid care. The meeting will highlight advances in thyroid research and clinical care, including emerging treatments and the role of artificial intelligence in thyroid disease management.
• American Medical Association Interim Meeting, Orlando, Florida (Nov. 6-10): I’ll join leaders from across medical specialties at the American Medical Association Interim Meeting to discuss issues affecting physicians and their patients. Building on our workforce discussions in October, this meeting provides an opportunity to exchange perspectives on access to care, physician workforce challenges and how we can better support health care professionals in delivering quality patient care.
• Sociedad Mexicana de Nutrición y Endocrinología International Congress, Guadalajara, Mexico (Nov. 10-14):  I look forward to connecting with our AACE community in Mexico, hearing about their priorities and discussing how we can work together to advance endocrine care in the region. Stop by AACE booth No. 3 to meet with me and our team and explore educational resources for your practice and patients, including Spanish translations of our patient journeys.
• AACE MENA Annual Conference, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Nov. 20-22): Dr. Trence and I look forward to joining our Middle East and North Africa community for this year’s AACE MENA Annual Conference in Dubai. The three-day program will feature leading experts sharing the latest advances in diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and other endocrine conditions through educational sessions, interactive discussions, and research presentations.
  The day before the conference, on Nov. 19, we are also hosting our second AACE Thyroid Ultrasound Workshop at American Hospital Dubai’s Oud Metha location. The workshop combines online learning with hands-on training, giving participants an opportunity to expand their knowledge and strengthen their clinical skills. I am grateful to our clinical advisors and partners for contributing their time and expertise to these educational experiences.