By Victoria Shaffer, PhD, President

Dear SMDM community,

In the last several weeks, I have watched the current US Administration unveil a set of policies and executive orders that have a direct impact on funding for research in the US; the capacity of researchers to engage in research on specific topics including DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and “gender ideology”; programs designed to support training for underrepresented groups in the sciences; protections for individuals with minoritized identities; and broad public health initiatives. In addition, the actions taken on international policies such as immigration and trade have created a global tension that threaten our Society’s ability to continue as an international organization that values international collaborations, diversity of thought, and research on health and well-being.

The impact of any one of these actions on our community, let alone their cumulative impact, cannot be overstated. The safety and well-being of many SMDM members is directly impacted by these new policy changes. There are direct and indirect threats to our identities as scientists, as well as to many of our other personal and professional identities. Direct health effects of these changes will be felt in the near future (i.e., vaccines, access to care). The jobs and livelihoods of many SMDM members are in jeopardy. Some research is being defunded in the US, and there are direct threats to employment and academic institutions more broadly (e.g., issues of academic freedom in publications and teaching activities). The sustainability of our organization, which relies on membership and attendance at Annual Meetings from scientists all over the globe for its existence, is uncertain as there are direct and indirect threats from the US government to other countries.

I am feeling overwhelmed by the scope of the changes and scared for the future of science in the US and in the world. I am anxious about how public education will change at my academic institution, which is funded by a state government that is highly supportive of the current US administration. I am angry that I am being instructed to comply with requests for information that might target my students or research participants. I am stressed by inquiries from campus administrators about whether I have yet been contacted by members of congress with questions about federally funded research projects. I am deeply saddened by legislation and executive orders that are designed to roll back protections for people I care about. If you are feeling any or all of the above, know that you are not alone.

Yet, as overwhelming as this moment is, we are not powerless. I want to take this moment to share with you a vision of how SMDM, as an international society dedicated to rigorous science, can be a community amongst and, perhaps more importantly, against the chaos.

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to move ahead with our activities in support of the mission of SMDM: To advance medical decision making research and practice to improve health outcomes. We are planning the 2025 Annual Meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the 2026 Annual Meeting in Oslo, Norway. Our Annual Meetings will continue to feature programming critical to advancing our science, including scholarship on distributive cost effectiveness and improving health equity. In Ann Arbor, our keynote speaker will be Dr. Amaka Eneanya, a groundbreaking advocate for removing race from clinical algorithms such as kidney function and who will speak directly to the need to move away from race-based models for more accurate and equitable healthcare for all. We will also continue to fund meeting-based events designed to provide support and mentorship to SMDM members including our 1-1 mentoring program, the Advocates for Equity event, Trainee luncheons,

and Q+ Affinity group activities.

I hope that you will continue to see the SMDM Annual Meetings as the highlight of your professional year, an opportunity to be surrounded by colleagues and friends, to share your work, and to learn from others. Yet, I must also acknowledge the obstacles that we face. Some of you may face financial challenges or personal risks if you travel to our meetings. Others may question the appropriateness of coming to a country that is engaging in these actions. I would love for you to continue to support SMDM both scientifically and financially but certainly respect the complexity of the moment.

I anticipate that, in the coming weeks and months, our community will serve as a valuable resource and a strong source of support for our members. I am thankful to the hundreds of you who volunteer your time to review for our journals, participate in our mentorship program, serve on SMDM committees, and much more. Every action that we take to strengthen our mutual bonds makes a difference. As President of SMDM, my hope is to safeguard what we have built and continue to grow our field so that it will be a bright spot for researchers all around the world in an uncertain scientific climate. We can and must be a network of support for each other, a resilient community that validates and amplifies our scientific collaborations and personal connections despite the challenges that we face.

I hope to see as many of you as possible in Ann Arbor so that we can raise a glass, together, to our acts of resistance that include being who we are in the spaces in which we live.

-Victoria Shaffer

SMDM reaffirms its support for multidisciplinary scientific evidence in the study of decision making as expressed in its mission, purpose, vision, and values that appear on our website here. 

Scott B. Cantor, PhD; Ellen G. Engelhardt; Rowan Iskandar, PhD, MA; Beate Jahn, PhD; Hawre Jalal, MD, PhD; Natalia Kunst, PhD; Scott LaJoie, PhD, MSPH; Ellen Lipstein, MD, MPH; Kathryn A. Martinez, PhD, MPH; Daniel Matlock, MD; Kine Pederson, PhD; Laura Scherer, PhD; Alan Schwartz, PhD; Victoria Shaffer, PhD; Ryan Suk, PhD; Channing Tate, PhD, MPH; Torbjørn Wisløff, PhD

By Anton L.V. Avanceña, PhD and Ryan Suk, PhD; Co-Chairs of Q+ Affinity SIG

Statement from the SMDM Q+ Affinity Group

As the Q+ Affinity Group of the Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM), we reaffirm our strong commitment to fostering an inclusive academic society and providing a safe, supportive space for our LGBTQ+ members and allies. With the current political climate where LGBTQ+-focused research funding is being terminated, DEI initiatives are being dismantled, and policies are increasingly restricting individual and academic freedom, we recognize the significant impact these changes have on our members’ lives. These challenges extend beyond academia, affecting individuals’ safety, healthcare access, and physical and mental wellbeing as they navigate environments that may no longer support them.

As a first step in standing together, we urge SMDM members to help ensure that LGBTQ+ scholars and trainees feel a sense of belonging and have the support they need to continue their contributions to science and society. Our commitment has never been stronger in our mission to uplift, advocate, and create spaces where all members can thrive.

As part of this commitment, we will continue and expand our work to:

• Maintain safe and welcoming spaces within SMDM where LGBTQ+ scholars can connect, find mentorship, and share experiences without fear of discrimination.
• Engage in discussions with leadership to ensure LGBTQ+ members’ voices are heard and represented within the society.
• Uplift our diverse community’s contributions through dedicated sessions, publications, and collaborative initiatives that highlight the importance of diversity and belonging in medical decision-making and health research.
• Support and advocate for researchers conducting LGBTQ+ health research, particularly those impacted by funding cuts, by assisting in identifying funding opportunities, expanding professional networks, and integrating them into SMDM’s grant review program.

We invite our fellow SMDM members to stand with us in reinforcing these values and ensuring that our society remains a place where every individual, regardless of their identity, feels safe, valued, and empowered to pursue impactful research. Together, we will persist in our mission to advance science while safeguarding the dignity and rights of all members of our community.

Signed,

Anton Avanceña, PhD

Ryan Suk, PhD

SMDM Q+ Affinity Group Co-Chairs

By David W. Hutton, PhD and Brian Zikmund-Fisher, PhD, Co-Chairs of the 2025 Annual Meeting

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

We are delighted to announce details about the Clinician Crosstalk sessions on Wednesday, 18 June at the 47th Annual Meeting. Clinician Crosstalk includes four sessions, each crafted by an interdisciplinary team. Clinician Crosstalk is included with registration for the 47th Annual Meeting, and we encourage all SMDM regulars to plan to stay through for all of Wednesday morning. In addition, local clinicians may register to attend just the Wednesday sessions, which are supported in part by a grant from the Hess Foundation. All sessions on Wednesday will also be live-streamed for virtual attendance, to expand our reach to clinicians around the world. Registration (virtual or in-person) for Wednesday only is complimentary and CME credits may be selected for a small processing fee of USD 30.

Bridging Decision Science & Clinical Guidelines for Better Patient Care

Ahmed Bayoumi, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FCAHS

Cynthia Chude, MD, PhD

Amy Cizik, PhD, MPH

Dale Steele, MD, MS

Shared Decision Making in Action: Real-World Cases and Challenges #SDMIRL

Crystal Chu, MD, PhD

Ellen Lipstein, MD, MPH

Semra Ozdemir, PhD

Peter Schwartz, MD, PhD

Kristina Suorsa-Johnson, PhD

Haoyang Yan, PhD

Why Bother Developing or Using a Clinical Decision Tool? Dilemmas and Opportunities

Stijntje Dijk, MD, MSc

Meredith MacMartin, MD, MS, FAAHPM

Christina Penfield, MD, PhD

Michael Rubyan, PhD, MPH

Alexis Steinberg, MD, MS

“A Doctor, Patient, and Guideline Committee Walk Into an Exam Room…”: On the Interplay Between Evidence-Based Medicine, Guidelines, and Shared Decision Making

Katie Baughman, MD, MA

Cara Janusz, PhD

Joshua Rager, MD, MA, MS

Greg Sacks, MD, MPH, PhD

Daniel Wiener, MD

Sponsored for CME Credit by UAB Division of CME.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Alabama Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine (UASOM) and the Society for Medical Decision Making. The UASOM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institute.

By Emily Burger, PhD, and Torbjørn Wisløff, MSc, PhD; Co-Chairs of the 2026 Annual Meeting

Hello again, SMDM members! As we continue our journey toward the 2026 meeting in

Oslo, we’re thrilled to share more about what makes this city—and our upcoming

gathering—so special.

First, make sure to explore the Oslo’s cultural gems. The Vigeland Sculpture Park, housing over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, is a testament to artistic brillilance and the largest

sculpture park in the world by a single artist. For those intrigued by history, the Viking Ship Museum awaits with its remarkably preserved ships that bring Norway’s seafaring past to life. As a fun fact, did you know Oslo was named “Tigerstaden” or “Tiger City” by the poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, reflecting its vibrant and fearless character?

We’re thrilled to launch a special initiative for our 48th Annual Meeting: The SMDM Ambassador program. We are calling on members to help us expand the impact across Europe and beyond by leveraging your professional networks and language skills. We are seeking volunteers who will help spread the word and build excitement (and attendance) for our 48th Annual Meeting.

As an Ambassador, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our Oslo meeting achieves truly international participation, bridging diverse regions and ideas within medical decision-making. It’s an excellent chance to contribute to our community, expand your professional network, and showcase your expertise. If you’re interested, please reach out to us at Info@SMDM.org. Keep your eyes on the newsletter for more sneak peeks and tips to make the most of your Oslo adventure!

Want to get involved or have meeting ideas? Send an email to your co-chairs, Emily or

Torbjørn.

UPCOMING EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

Click on the image for each SIG event below to register. SIG events are open to members and non-members alike, and registration is complimentary.

EDITOR’S NOTE

By Helen Colby, PhD, Editor-In-Chief

As we navigate challenging times, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the thoughtful and heartfelt message from our President, Victoria Shaffer, who highlights the challenges our community is facing and the strength we can find together. Her words serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting one another and continuing our commitment to advancing medical decision-making.

I hope you’ll consider joining us at the upcoming Annual Meeting in Ann Arbor. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, share ideas, and come together as a community. I look forward to seeing many of you there!

SMDM Homepage