e-MDs, an industry leader in the development and implementation of electronic health record (EHR) and practice management (PM) solutions, announced the successful conclusion of their 5th annual User Conference & Symposium (UCS09). The conference, with well over 600 participants, was sold out for the second straight year. It was hosted July 23-25 at Austin's newest high-tech learning facility, the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

In collaboration with Primary Care Network, a leading educator in continuing medical education (CME), the conference was expanded to provide CME accredited courses. "Now, more than ever, it is vital to provide instruction to healthcare providers in the field of Health Information Technology," said Sandy Bihlmeyer, Executive Director of Primary Care Network. "The education provided at the CME sessions presented practical strategies that will help clinicians implement systems and processes that will ultimately improve patient care."

The new targeted and more advanced curriculum was well received by all participants:

"Another successful and informative e-MDs User Conference! I am always amazed at all the new information that I learn every year I attend," said Dr. Leonard B. Kancher of The Center for Longevity and Wellness in Metairie, Louisiana. "This is a very powerful system and the user conferences help us to understand more and more about its functionality. In addition, the AT&T Conference Center was an excellent environment for learning."

"I never expected to learn everything I did at the e-MDs User Conference, it was an absolutely fabulous experience," said Brenda Southerland, Billing Office Manager at HealthStar Physicians of Hot Springs, PLLC. "I was impressed by the availability of the staff, there was always someone who was willing to help and I loved the new AT&T Conference Center. I have already told the staff and physicians at my practice I cannot wait to go back again next year."

e-MDs UCS09 Symposium events included multiple presentations on the current status of the Health Information Technology industry, including the recent stimulus provisions in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

UCS09 continued in the tradition of idea exchange and improved utilization of e-MDs Solution Series™ product suite, and the client-focused sessions addressed clinical and operational best practices, audit protection, workflow optimization, and revenue enhancing processes.

"The performance of our 2009 User Conference & Symposium exceeded all expectations," said Michael Stearns, M.D., President and CEO of e-MDs. "Medical professionals, practice managers and other e-MDs users benefited from a well-rounded curriculum that addressed improving patient care and clinical compliance as well as the evolving landscape of healthcare IT and policy. We understand how vital it is for e-MDs to serve as an educational resource to our community of healthcare professionals. Each year this conference has grown larger and I am always pleased to have the opportunity work closely with our users."