Annual Assembly

An Annual Assembly Experience Like No Other

The COVID-19 pandemic created new opportunities, despite many challenges, for the 2021 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care held February 17–19. This year, the meeting was offered in a completely virtual format tor the first time since AAHPM and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) partnered in 2005 to create the Annual Assembly. Although some were hesitant about a virtual Assembly experience, others were excited to experience the Assembly from home. With travel barriers eliminated, the Assembly welcomed more than 3,300 attendees and exhibitors virtually, a third of whom were attending the Assembly for the first time. Attendees experienced extraordinary education, including everything from live COVID Conversation sessions to more than 260 online posters. Wendy Sue Swanson, MD MBE FAAP, shared her knowledge about digital innovation; the Cambia Leadership Lecture taught us how to build workforce resilience; and the Film Festival moved hearts with the films "Child of the Earth" and "R.S."