Jarrard Inc. Senior Vice President Michael Knecht attended and presented at the 2025 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Conference for Institutional Advancement. These are his key takeaways.
WHEN & WHERE: New Orleans, April 23 – 26
THEME: Grow. Innovate. Advance.
More than 650 attendees, from some of the country’s pre-eminent academic medicine institutions, descended upon the New Orleans Marriott for their annual meeting. The GIA is comprised of professionals representing development, alumni affairs, marketing, communications and community relations from medical schools and academic health systems.
The educational offerings from this conference supported seasoned institutional advancement leaders as well as newcomers to their chosen fields. Attendees enjoyed access to thought-provoking sessions around best practices and ample networking.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
1. Seismic Shifts Are Underway in Academic Medicine
Although academic medicine has never been known to remain static even in the best of times, the overwhelming driver of all conversations, both formal and informal, surrounded the unprecedented waves of policy announcements to date by the new Administration. Cuts to research funding, pressure to eliminate DEI programming, immigration crackdowns on student visas and the dismantling of federal agencies charged with safeguarding of America’s health were the topics of plenary remarks and tabletop chats. Regardless of “red state/blue state” locale, leaders from our country’s most revered medical institutions are clearly struggling to find their footing in the current climate.
2. Embracing Diversity Never Mattered More
Despite calls from some to turn away from the concepts of diversity, health equity and inclusion, academic medicine institutions are working to maintain historic, mission-based commitments to their students, faculty, staff and communities in new and creative ways. The value of these concepts was showcased in a poignant and personal way by Literary Luncheon presenter Dr. Uche Blackstock who shared her own journey in the NY Times bestseller “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.” The novel chronicles her time beginning as the daughter of a Harvard-trained, community-activist female physician in Brooklyn, through her own medical school days at Harvard, to serving as an emergency physician on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and finally consultant, MSNBC contributor and sought-after lecturer on DEI. Powerful lessons were imparted to those charged with creating supportive educational and clinical environments for people from all backgrounds.
3. Investing in Technology and Talent Is Always Smart
Our nation’s AMCs remain global leaders in the creation of new technology and clinical breakthroughs. Yet many are still grappling with their own acceptance and use of some technologies such as AI. Many AMCs are adopting the newly developing AI platforms, not only in clinical and educational areas, but also in their communications, marketing and philanthropy functions. Several sessions highlighted specific applications for graphic design, writing and donor identification/engagement. In addition to AI, significant time at the GIA conference was spent on talent recruitment, development and retention. Sessions receiving particular interest surrounded the leadership skills needed to foster strong relationships among team members and how to break down silos to create resilient inter-disciplinary teams. Regardless of the times at hand, AMCs understand the importance of leveraging technology alongside the power of committed teams.
