The Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME) Annual Meeting is a forum for health care professionals, researchers, and CPD professionals to share developments in continuing professional development practice, interprofessional education, and innovations in program design.
This year’s event convened March 16 – 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. under the theme “Advocacy in Action: Empowering CPD/CE Professionals to Lead Change” to share insights into the future directions of CPD for health professionals.
Members of own CPD team at the University of Toronto delivered presentations on varied topics, including:
The Evolution of Professional Services Staff: From Coffee Lady to Lead Planner in CPD
Authors: Nancy Carey, Natalie Halsband, Brien Wong, Marta Guzik Eldridge, Trevor Cuddy, Morag Paton
Delivered by Nancy Carey (Associate Director, Conference Management, CPD), this presentation chronicled a transformative staff-led initiative within the CPD office that repositioned professional services staff from behind-the-scenes support to strategic partners in building world-class educational experiences. Grounded in third-space and higher education theory, the new model clarified job roles, strengthened faculty-staff partnerships, and cultivated a workplace culture of recognition and inclusion. Early outcomes include minimal staff turnover, increased professional development, and expanded application of this model across the Medical Education continuum.
Rapid CPD Program Design: The Narrative-Based Medicine Lab
Authors: Trevor Cuddy, Christopher Chipman, Damian Tarnopolsky, Karen Gold, Allan Peterkin, Chelsea Matson, Monica Cribari, Nicole Nobrega
Trevor Cuddy (Director, CPD Portfolio) shared the story of the Narrative-Based Medicine Lab (NBM Lab) from its early days aiming to address the gap in narrative medicine training in Canada to a growing suite of accredited and digital workshops, multi-session series, and advanced certificate. To date, the NBM Lab has reached over 1,000 healthcare professionals with flexible, humanities-integrated education. Participants report increased empathy, better communication, and renewed professional fulfillment. The NBM Lab stands as a model for rapid, market-responsive CPD grounded in patient-centered care.
Developing a Scholarly Framework for the Value of CPD Accreditation
Authors: Morag Paton, Carrie Bernard, Trevor Cuddy, Ayelet Kuper, Graham McMahon, David Rojas, Suzan Schneeweiss, Martin Tremblay, Cynthia Whitehead, David Wiljer
With national regulatory bodies changing CPD requirements, this presentation introduced a proposed program of research to explore the fundamental value of CPD accreditation. Employing a framework and scoping review methodology, the research identified 10 preliminary domains, including quality improvement, equity and bias, and workload. These elements form the foundation of future accreditation scholarship. The project aims to support CPD units in articulating value, advocating for resources, and advancing the field.
Ayelet Kuper (Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto) delivered a plenary session on Positioning Your Organization for Success: The Strategic Role of CE/CPD. That explored how CPD can become a force for transformative change in healthcare.
David Wiljer (Academic Director, CPD) was co-author on several presentations, including:
- Partnering with Experts: Understanding, Valuing and Mobilizing Lived Experience Knowledge for People Living with Obesity and Other Chronic Conditions
- Leveraging Professional Competencies for Patient Resources: A Co-Designed Guide to Support and Empower Patients and Families for Digitally Compassionate Care
- Co-Created Principles for Organizational Digital Compassion in Health Care
These presentations highlight how the University of Toronto CPD community is driving thoughtful, inclusive, and evidence-based innovation across the CPD landscape, from organizational change to humanities integration. There was also lots to celebrate at this year’s annual meeting.
Suzan Schneeweiss (Associate Dean, CPD), began her role as President-Elect of SACME for the 2025-26 term.
Branka Agic (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto) was one of several recipients of the President’s Meritorious Service Award, which celebrates long-standing contributions.
Victoria Bond (CAMH) received the Fox Award for Best Oral Presentation – Early Career Educator for Leading Wellness: How a Virtual Community of Practice Is Supporting Healthcare Professionals Who Are Developing and Leading Wellness Initiatives.
Delve into the SACME Annual Meeting Proceedings Report for a recap of all presentations and learn more about this year’s award winners.