In the age of modern medicine and technology, renowned physician, educator and bestselling author Abraham Verghese, M.D., fears doctors have begun to neglect the patient in front of them and, instead, treat the “iPatient” on the screen. On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, at the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 64th Annual Convention in San Francisco, Calif., Dr. Verghese will use his keynote lecture, A Doctor’s Touch, to address the importance of the physical examination in modern medicine.

The presentation, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, will align equine medicine with human medicine as Dr. Verghese explains his vision of humanistic medicine: care grounded in caring and the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.

Dr. Verghese is the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor, and Vice Chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where he emphasizes to students the importance of bedside medicine and physical examination in an era of advanced medical technology.

He also is a critically acclaimed author whose memoirs and novels on medical themes have sold millions of copies, topped bestseller lists, and earned major movie deals; and whose New York Times articles arguing for greater focus on the physical patient have made waves in the medical community. Dr. Verghese received the National Humanities Medal in 2015 from President Obama, “for reminding us that the patient is the center of the medical enterprise.”

The 64th Annual Convention will take place at the George R. Moscone Convention Center, Dec. 1-5, 2018. The Annual Convention is the world’s largest continuing education event dedicated to equine practice, offering approximately 130 hours of CE presented by renowned researchers, academicians and practitioners; and a 300-exhibitor trade show showcasing the latest technologies, services and products to improve practice. To view the educational program and register to attend, visit convention.aaep.org.

About the AAEP
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
 

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