If you're planning your summer travel, you've probably already blocked out dates for the naahp conference 2024 in Cincinnati. It's that time again where health professions advisors from all over the country gather to swap stories, catch up on the latest admissions trends, and maybe grab some of that famous Cincinnati chili.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran who has been to a dozen of these or a newcomer wondering what the big deal is, this year's national meeting feels a bit different. There's a lot of change happening in the world of health education, and getting together in person is really the only way to make sense of it all.
The Big Picture in Cincinnati
The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) doesn't do things halfway. This year, the event is taking over the Duke Energy Convention Center from June 26th to June 30th. The theme is "The Power of Many," which honestly feels pretty spot on. Advising can sometimes feel like a solo gig, especially if you're at a smaller school, so the chance to realize you're part of a massive network is always a bit of a relief.
Cincinnati might not be the first place that pops into your head when you think of "vacation," but it's actually a great spot for a conference. It's walkable, the food scene is surprisingly legit, and it's central enough that a lot of people can drive in.
Why This Year Feels Important
Let's be real: the last few years have been a rollercoaster for anyone working in education and healthcare. From the fallout of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action to the ever-shifting landscape of standardized testing (looking at you, MCAT and CASPer), there's a lot to talk about.
The naahp conference 2024 is basically the "state of the union" for pre-health advising. It's where you find out if what you're telling your students actually matches what the admissions committees are looking for. You can read all the listserv emails you want, but nothing beats sitting across a table from a Dean of Admissions and asking, "Okay, so what are you really seeing in applications this year?"
The Networking Side of Things
If you ask anyone why they keep coming back to these meetings, it's rarely just for the PowerPoint presentations. It's the hallway conversations. It's that fifteen-minute chat between sessions where you find out another advisor is struggling with the same caseload issues you are, and they've found a software or a shortcut that actually works.
The Exhibit Hall (or the "Hall of Resources") is usually the heart of the action. It's where all the medical, dental, and pharmacy schools set up shop. It's a bit like speed dating for professionals. You can collect a year's worth of brochures, sure, but you also get to put faces to names. Having a direct contact at a school your students frequently apply to is worth the registration fee alone.
Breaking Down the Sessions
While the full schedule is always packed, there are a few key areas that everyone seems to be buzzing about for 2024.
Holistic Review and the New Normal
Admissions committees have been talking about holistic review for years, but the "how" is constantly evolving. With some schools going test-optional and others doubling down on "soft skills," advisors need to know how to help students tell their stories without sounding like they're reading from a script. Expect a lot of sessions on how to coach students through the personal statement and the "meaningful experiences" sections of their apps.
Mental Health and Resilience
This isn't just about the students, though that's a huge part of it. The burnout among pre-health students is real, but it's also real for the advisors. The naahp conference 2024 is likely to feature more discussions on how to support student well-being without losing our own sanity in the process. We're seeing more emphasis on "grit" and "distance traveled," and learning how to evaluate those things fairly is a big topic.
Tech and AI in Advising
You can't go anywhere in 2024 without talking about AI. How are admissions offices using it to screen apps? How are students using it to write essays? (And how do we spot it?) There will definitely be some spirited debates in the breakout rooms about the ethics of ChatGPT in the application process.
Making the Most of Your Time in "Cincy"
If you're going to be in town for four or five days, you might as well enjoy it. The area around the convention center is pretty vibrant. Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is the place to go if you want good food or a decent cocktail after a long day of sessions. It's got that cool, revitalized industrial vibe with plenty of outdoor seating.
And yeah, you have to try the chili. Whether you go for Skyline or Gold Star, it's a local rite of passage. Just don't call it "chili" in front of a Texan—it's more like a spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti with a mountain of cheese. It's weird, but it's delicious.
If you need a break from the windowless conference rooms, the Smale Riverfront Park is a great place to walk and clear your head. There's something about seeing the Ohio River that helps you reset before the next round of meetings.
Tips for First-Timers
If the naahp conference 2024 is your first national meeting, it can be a little overwhelming. Here's some unsolicited advice:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You're going to be walking on concrete and carpeted convention floors for eight hours a day. This is not the time to break in new dress shoes.
- Don't try to see every session. You'll burn out by Thursday afternoon. Pick the ones that are most relevant to your specific student population and leave yourself some "blank space" to just process what you've learned.
- Bring business cards (or a digital equivalent). People still exchange them, and it's the easiest way to remember who told you about that great shadowing program in rural Nebraska.
- Go to the regional meetings. NAAHP is divided into regions (like NEAAHP, SAAHP, etc.). These smaller meetings within the larger conference are where you'll find the people you're most likely to interact with throughout the year.
The Takeaway
At the end of the day, the naahp conference 2024 is about community. Our jobs are weirdly specific. Most people don't understand why we care so much about a change in a chemistry curriculum or a new prerequisite for a physical therapy program. But at this conference, everyone gets it.
We go to these things to get recharged. Advising can be draining, especially when you're delivering tough news to a student whose dreams don't quite match their GPA. Being around other people who do the same work helps remind you why you started doing this in the first place—to help the next generation of healthcare providers find their path.
So, if you're still on the fence about going, just do it. Book the flight, find a roommate to split the hotel cost, and get ready for a busy few days in Cincinnati. It's going to be a big year for the profession, and you won't want to miss the conversations happening on the ground. See you at the Queen City!