Conference #1791
34th Annual Fall Conference on Hot Topics in Primary Care


November 11 - 14, 2026
Paradise Island, Bahamas

REGISTER FOR:



 
See Tuition information for pricing and attendance options.
 
No specific health and safety information
(See Health & Safety tab for complete info)

 
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
 
8:15 AMAn Integrative Approach to Acute & Chronic Pain Management
Iman Majd, MD
 
9:00Managing Depression in Women
(Rx = 20 minutes)
Gil Lichtshein, MD
 
9:45Questions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
10:30Case Studies in Vaginitis
(Rx = 15 minutes)
Martin Quan, MD
 
11:15Approach to the Patient With Knee Pain
James C. Puffer, MD
 
12:00 PMCardiology Pearls
(Rx = 15 minutes)
Karen Stout, MD, FACC
 
12:45Questions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
Thursday, November 12, 2026
 
8:00 AMCommon Cardiac Symptoms: When to Worry & How to Evaluate
(Rx = 15 minutes)
Karen Stout, MD, FACC
 
8:45Common Injuries in the Young Athlete
James C. Puffer, MD
 
9:30Questions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
10:15Contraception Update: 2026
(Rx = 45 minutes)
Martin Quan, MD
 
11:00Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
James C. Puffer, MD
 
11:45Supplements: Which Ones Do We Need?
Iman Majd, MD
 
12:30 PMQuestions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
Friday, November 13, 2026
 
3:00 PMSmall Group Breakouts – Session One

● Common Mental Health Conditions in Women

Gil Lichtshein, MD
 
 ● Hands-On Ear Acupuncture for Pain Management
Iman Majd, MD
 
 ● Medical Dilemmas in Sports Medicine
James C. Puffer, MD
 
 ● Menopause Hormone Therapy
Martin Quan, MD
 
4:45Small Group Breakouts – Session Two

● Common Mental Health Conditions in Women

Gil Lichtshein, MD
 
 ● Hands-On Ear Acupuncture for Pain Management
Iman Majd, MD
 
 ● Medical Dilemmas in Sports Medicine
James C. Puffer, MD
 
 ● Menopause Hormone Therapy
Martin Quan, MD
 
Saturday, November 14, 2026
 
8:00 AMPsychiatric Pharmacogenomics in Everyday Practice
(Rx = 20 minutes)
Gil Lichtshein, MD
 
8:45Case Studies in Hypertension
(Rx = 45 minutes)
Martin Quan, MD
 
9:30Questions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
10:15Diagnostic Testing in Cardiology— Who, What, and When
Karen Stout, MD, FACC
 
11:00Psychedelics in Psychiatry
(Rx = 35 minutes)
Gil Lichtshein, MD
 
11:45Heart Failure: Diagnosis & Treatment
(Rx = 15 minutes)
Karen Stout, MD, FACC
 
12:30 PMQuestions & Answers / Group Discussion
Faculty Panel & Audience
 
 
Rx = Pharmacotherapeutic CEUs for nurses will be granted for these sessions
 

CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

Our 34th Annual Fall Conference on Hot Topics in Primary Care is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals involved in the primary care of their patients. Covering a wide array of topics, our expert faculty will discuss the latest evidence-based advancements in primary care, present emerging clinical data, and provide skills and strategies for application and implementation into your practice. This educational activity aims to increase learner knowledge, improve the competence and performance of all attendees, and contribute to their ability to work together as part of a coordinated healthcare team.

Topics for this year’s conference have been selected based on the educational needs underlying identified professional practice gaps. The gaps were derived from a variety of sources including evaluations and outcomes data from past participants, clinical expert input, Symposia Medicus’ online survey, and other medical and nursing data such as current clinical guidelines, research findings, literature reviews, and patient safety considerations.

An outstanding faculty has been assembled for this conference. Each faculty member was selected based on their individual area of expertise and ability to communicate current, evidence-based, and practical information to participants.

The conference format includes didactic lectures, question and answer sessions, case studies, and small group breakouts. Following a group of lectures, the question and answer sessions allow attendees to ask the faculty critical and challenging questions about caring for patients during various primary care situations.

The breakout sessions, designed to facilitate even greater interaction between faculty and participants, offer an opportunity to engage in group discussions on subjects relating to your particular area of interest. Please indicate your breakout session topic choices on the conference registration form in this brochure. Space is limited, so please reserve early.
 

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

As a result of participating in this conference, you should have increased knowledge and enhanced competence to:

  • Describe the importance of pharmacogenomics and its impact on choosing the appropriate medication
  • Identify medical conditions that may require supplement use
  • Recognize radiographic findings seen in common musculoskeletal injuries
  • Discuss the pros and cons of long-acting reversible contraceptives
  • Interpret ECG and lab data in the context of chest pain

Enrollment for this conference is limited in order to provide the best possible learning environment.
Early registration is advised.


You can register and receive conference lodging group rates in the following ways:

  • Online via this website (unless otherwise directed) OR:
     
  • Call (925) 969-1789 Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm (Pacific Time), with
     Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover; OR
     
  • By mail; make check payable to Symposia Medicus and send along with registration form to:
    399 Taylor Blvd, Suite 102, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-2287

Conference registration will be confirmed via email

Please call (925) 969-1789 for additional questions or information.
 

TUITION PRICING
 
  EARLY
If postmarked by
September 2, 2026
REGULAR
If postmarked after
September 2, 2026
 
Physicians $990 $1,240
 
Nurses, PAs, & All Others $890 $1,140

 
Discounts are available for retired healthcare providers, active U.S. military, residents, and groups of three or more. For more information, please contact Symposia Medicus prior to registering.
 
Tuition includes continuing education, online access to the educational session materials on our conference webpage, continental breakfast on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, and break refreshments for conference registrants. Tuition also includes a group reception for faculty, registrants, and their guests.
 

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS

After attending this conference, participants are entitled to a certificate of credit which will be available online. Successful completion of this activity is determined by attending the live activity, reviewing the educational session materials, and submitting the case studies test, evaluations, surveys, and verification of attendance form. Each participant should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

ACCREDITATION

This accredited continuing education activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME and ANCC Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

Symposia Medicus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Symposia Medicus is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Physicians
Symposia Medicus designates this live activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This ACE activity was developed with standards to address California Assembly Bill (AB) 1195 cultural and linguistic competency (CLC) and CA AB 241 implicit bias (IB) to reduce health disparities.

AAFP
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

ACOG
Application has been made with the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) for cognates, Formal Learning.

ACP
The American College of Physicians (ACP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Physician Associates
NCCPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician associates may receive a maximum of 18 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurse Practitioners/Nurses
The ANCC contact hours awarded for completion of this conference are 18.

Provider is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP2335, for 21.6 contact hours.

Pharmacists
The California Board of Pharmacy accepts as continuing professional education those courses that meet the standard of relevance to pharmacy practice and have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Pharmacotherapeutic CEUs for Nurses
This activity is designated for a maximum of 3.75 pharmacotherapeutic credits towards meeting the requirement for nursing pharmacology continuing education. Sessions awarding pharmacotherapeutic credits are denoted with an Rx in the schedule. Please contact your state’s Board of Nursing for specific educational requirements as they may vary state to state.

 
Gil Lichtshein, MD
Clinical Affiliate Associate Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences; Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University; Boca Raton, Florida
 
Iman Majd, MD
Director of Osher Center for Integrative Health; Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington
 
James C. Puffer, MD - Conference Co-Chairperson
Professor Emeritus, Clinical Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Los Angeles, California
 
Martin Quan, MD - Conference Co-Chairperson
Professor of Clinical Family Medicine; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, UCLA Department of Family Medicine; Los Angeles, California
 
Karen Stout, MD, FACC
Professor, Internal Medicine/Cardiology; Adjunct Professor, Pediatrics/Cardiology; University of Washington; Seattle, Washington

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

In accordance with ACCME and ANCC guidelines, Symposia Medicus maintains a policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Prior to the planning of this educational activity, all individuals in control of content disclosed all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Symposia Medicus will mitigate any and all relevant financial relationships before the conference begins. Beyond disclosure and mitigation of relevant financial relationships, faculty are required to disclose when they plan to discuss pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices that are not approved by the FDA and/ or medical or surgical procedures that involve an unapproved or “off-label” use of an approved device or pharmaceutical. Symposia Medicus is committed to providing learners with commercially unbiased continuing education activities. This information is intended to assist learners in forming their own judgments about the content presented. Disclosure information will be included in the educational session materials for this activity and speakers will provide a disclosure slide for each presentation, which they will also disclose verbally on site.

Symposia Medicus values the well-being of our attendees, faculty, and staff and collaborates with the conference venue to ensure the safety and protection of all on-site participants.

In recognition of the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, proof of vaccination and/or face mask use requirements may change from the time of conference announcement and your registration, until the conference takes place. Current policies and attendance requirements for this conference are provided here, and we encourage you to refer to this information as needed, particularly as it gets closer to your on-site date, so that you can take any action you feel appropriate to be in compliance.

At this time, the following is in effect for on-site attendance:

HEALTH & SAFETY AWARENESS

We care about the health and safety of our conference attendees. It is important to think about safety as part of your travel preparations. For General Travel Safety Suggestions, visit https://symedblog.org/travelsafety/.

 

CONFERENCE LODGING INFORMATION

Conference group rates have been arranged at the Atlantis Resort. Rooms at our group rates are limited and on a first come, first served basis. PLEASE RESERVE EARLY as rooms may sell out and/or room rates may increase. If you wish to extend your stay, group rates may be available three days before and three days after the conference.

Two nights’ deposit (room rate only) must accompany your reservation. The balance of your lodging, hotel fees as stated below, and all incidental charges are due to the hotel. The hotel accepts most major credit cards.
 

Coral Tower Run-of-House (Single/Double) - $321/night
(Terrace or water view)

Coral Tower Water View (Single/Double) - $341/night
(Water view)

Each guest room is 253-297 sq. ft. and features one king-size or two queen-size beds and a full balcony overlooking the lush Atlantis landscape or the sparking blue ocean waters, sitting area, flat-screen TV, shower/tub combination, safe, in-room coffee & tea, and mini bar.
 

Royal Tower Run-of-House (Single/Double) - $371/night
(Terrace, harbor, or water view)

Royal Tower Water View (Single/Double) - $411/night
(Water view)

Each guest room is 400 sq. ft. and features one king-size or two queen-size beds, French step-out balconies with terrace, harbor, or water views, sitting area, flat-screen TV, shower/tub combination, safe, in-room coffee & tea, and mini-bar.
 

Both Towers are located near entertainment including the casino, full-service spa, nightclub, Dolphin Cay, pools, waterslides, and restaurants.

The Daily Resort Fee of $65 plus VAT taxes has been DISCOUNTED to $24 plus VAT taxes per night. The Resort Fee includes: two refillable water bottles, in-room coffee & tea, unlimited local phone calls, internet access in rooms and lobby areas (up to four devices per room), casino lessons, resort shuttle service (between the towers), access to Aquaventure water park, fitness center access for up to two people, per room (use of cardio studio, universal & free weights; all other facilities such as tennis, fitness classes, and personal trainer at an additional cost), and access to the Atlantis movie theater. Complimentary self and valet parking are also included when booking with Symposia Medicus. Items listed are subject to change.

Rooms may also be available in the Cove and Reef Towers; please call us for availability and rates.

  • Conference group rates are per room, per night and do not include the following (subject to change):
    - 10% Value Added Tax (VAT)
    - 11.62% tourism development levy and promotion board levy (billed as PITDA & NPIPD)
    - $10 (per person, per night, 12 years & older) mandatory gratuity
    - $8 (per person, 12 years & older) one-time bellman gratuity
     
  • Maximum guestroom occupancy is four, regardless of age (5th occupant allowed if 3 years or younger – no exceptions)
     
  • Mandatory third and fourth additional occupant charge (12 years & over) is $50 per person, per night (plus taxes, fees, and gratuities as stated above)
     
  • Children 11 years & under are complimentary – not to exceed stated maximum occupancy
     
  • Bed Type Requests: You can select one or two beds; however, requests cannot be guaranteed until check-in
     
  • Rollaways & Cribs: Rollaway beds and cribs are complimentary and only allowed in rooms with a king bed (based on availability and subject to change)
     
  • Check-in time is 4:00pm - Anyone arriving earlier than 4:00pm will be checked in as soon as rooms become available but are not guaranteed check-in prior to 4:00pm. Additional fees may be charged for early check-in, based on availability.
     
  • Check-out time is 11:00am - Anyone checking out after 11:00am will be charged an automatic late check-out fee of $150. Late check-outs can only be confirmed by the front desk on the date of departure.
     
  • Early Departure Fee: Please confirm your scheduled departure date with the hotel at check-in. An early departure fee equal to one night’s room and tax will be charged to any guest who checks out of the hotel before their confirmed departure date.
     
  • Credit/Debit Card Policy: Upon check-in, the hotel requires a credit card or debit card to ensure that funds are available. Holds are placed on your account for your entire stay (including taxes, fees, anticipated use of facilities, and $150 per day for incidentals); however, the amount may be immediately deducted from your account. The length of time for which these holds remain on your credit or debit account varies from bank to bank.
     
  • Parking: Self and valet parking are complimentary for conference guests
     
  • All cancellations must be emailed to registrar@symposiamedicus.org by the dates stated below
     
  • Conference cancellations must be made in writing (via email) to Symposia Medicus and a refund, less a 10% processing fee, will be given. No refunds will be made if cancellation is received after October 7, 2026; however, tuition, less a 10% processing fee, may be applied to a future Symposia Medicus conference.
     
  • Per our hotel contract, hotel reservation cancellations must be made in writing to Symposia Medicus and you will receive a full refund if emailed by September 9, 2026. Between September 10, 2026 and October 7, 2026, one night’s deposit is forfeited. After October 7, 2026, no hotel refunds can be made.
     
  • In the unlikely event of conference cancellation by Symposia Medicus, full tuition refunds will be made. Symposia Medicus will not be responsible for refunding travel or any other expenses.
     

Each registrant will have online access to the educational session materials on our conference webpage. The educational session materials will be available for download approximately one week prior to the conference. You will receive an email with instructions.

If you are unable to attend this conference, you may purchase an electronic copy of the educational session materials one week after the conference. Please email publications@symposiamedicus.org for more information.

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

You will fly into Nassau International Airport (NAS), which is approximately 10 miles from the Atlantis Resort.

Symposia Medicus has arranged for discount fares with Delta and United Airlines for this conference. Reservations can be made either through your travel agency or through the airlines at the website or Convention Desk numbers listed below.

In order to receive the discounted rate, you or your travel agent must refer to the Symposia Medicus Group ID number listed here.
 

Delta Airlines
For discounts on Delta Airlines, please visit www.delta.com, enter in your travel plans and then click on the “Advanced Search” link located below the “Passenger” box. Once you click on this link, a panel will appear and you will need to insert NY3V5 in the “Meeting Code” box.
For questions, please call the Delta Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 328-1111.

United Airlines
For discounts on United Airlines, please visit www.united.com and click on Advanced Search, located on the bottom left corner of the “Book Travel” box. Once you click on this link, another page will appear. At the bottom of this page, you will insert ZR7P576699 in the “Promotions and Certificates” box.
For questions, please call the United Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 426-1122.
 

Travel Policies

Registrants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances, including trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, travel delays, and other unexpected events. Symposia Medicus is not responsible for any costs incurred due to changes in travel plans or event modifications beyond our control.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Paradise Island, Bahamas, is located in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, blessed with enchanting beaches and a tropical climate.

The Atlantis Resort features Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park, including the iconic Mayan Temple’s Leap of Faith water slide, Lazy River, 11 incredible pools, five miles of magnificent beaches, a Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, oceanfront golf course, the Atlantis Casino, and the world’s largest open-air, marine habitat!

The resort, located on a white sand beach, also features a lagoon for snorkeling, a fitness center, and tennis courts. You can work out at the fitness center and then enjoy the saunas, massage treatments, and steam baths in the Mandara Spa.

Younger resort guests (ages 3-12) are invited to choose their own adventure within themed spaces designed specifically for their Atlantis imagination at AKA Kids Club, and teens (ages 13-17) can gather and hang out in their own 14,000 sq. ft. nightclub and internet lounge, CRUSH. The resort has several superb restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues, and a large shopping area with several specialty shops.

During conference breaks, you are sure to enjoy the outdoor activities of swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, sailing, golfing, or taking an exhilarating helicopter ride over the pristine blue waters of the Caribbean. Venture out of the resort and experience duty-free shopping, local art, live music, and festivals.

Whatever your pleasure, you’ll be sure to find it in the Bahamas, at our 34th Annual Fall Conference on Hot Topics in Primary Care.