COLLEAGUES — I invite you to join me in Frisco, TX, on July 20, 2006 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Dallas – Frisco for the 57^th TAFP Annual Session and Scientific Assembly. This year’s conference will be my 15^th, after completing my 20-year military (Army) career.

Some of you may not even know where Frisco is located; others of us can remember this country as the rich, cultivated farmland that has now become consumed by the Metroplex. Like most Embassy Suites, each guest room in our host hotel is a comfortable suite; and yes, complimentary breakfasts and Happy Hours are ours to enjoy. Unlike most Embassy Suites, this hotel features meeting facilities and an exhibit hall, which means all of our CME and social events will take place under the same roof. The hotel is located at the north end of the Dallas toll road, so be sure to bring a fist full of quarters for the tollbooths.

The CME, as always, will be outstanding and worthy of your time. For those interested in the business and political side of TAFP, come in on Wednesday, July 19^th and sit in on the TAFP Commission and Committee meetings that begin Wednesday evening. Medicine in general, and our wonderful specialty of family medicine in particular, face many challenges. Getting involved in the Academy assures that your ideas and experienced recommendations are heard and contribute to the solutions that the Academy offers. We need your voice to keep this organization strong.

This will be my final meeting as your TAFP President. It’s been an honor to represent you. Join me when I give my final speech and honor some extraordinary individuals at the TAFP Awards lunch on Saturday, July 22.

Telephone or e-mail some of your “old friends” from medical school and residency and make a date to catch up and renew these friendships. Annual Session is always a joyous occasion, offering superb CME, great social events and wonderful opportunities to meet new members, residents and students eager to learn more about our way of life. And of course, you’ll get to chum around with your ol’ buddies you’ve collected over the years!  Join us in Frisco for the 57^th TAFP Annual Session and Scientific Assembly.  You can register and make accommodations arrangements with the links below. Hope to see you there!