03/05/2026
The WSMA Leadership Development Conference, held annually in Chelan, provides an incredible yearly opportunity to approach leadership from different perspectives alongside physicians from across the state in all specialties. Learn more and register to join us May 15-16, 2026 at wsma.org/LDC.
This year, we're exploring how physicians can be leaders in advocating for their patients in the exam room and in the community. Speakers will highlight social determinants of health, equip you with communication strategies to restore patient trust, and help you turn what you've learned into a plan of action for when you return to work.
On the agenda:
- David Ansell, MD, MPH, on implementing universal social determinants of health screening in primary care—and how it’s advancing health equity.
- Jim Krieger, MD, MPH, with a keynote on policy and nutrition access and Jackie Litzau from Help Me Grow Washington on how they’re facilitating connections to community resources, from nutrition to supportive housing.
- Kelly Casperson, MD, popular public speaker, s*x educator, and podcaster with a keynote on health communication.
- Heather Sulejman on approaching fraught issues with patients and colleagues and how to foster openness to discussion and productive conversations.
- Lora Shahine, MD, on using social media to communicate health information.
- Patty Burgin and fellow coaches Rhumeena Bhalla, Karen Souter, MD, and Michel Spruance will help attendees take what they've learned at the conference and, using foundational skills and behaviors of executive coaching, turn it into a plan of action for when they return to work.
We hope to see you this May!
