As a first-year trainee, I wasn't sure what to expect at SMDM. I was only just introduced to the MDM field in June. So, while I was excited about traveling to Toronto and attending the conference, I was also equally nervous. Will I understand the research that will be presented? Will I truly have the opportunity to network both with experts, as well as with other young professionals? As a young researcher new to the MDM field, will I fit in?

I took the MDM 101 short course, which introduced me to the MDM field, and all it has to offer. Though it was a mere three hours in duration, and I had wished it were a full-day course, I still learned some of the basics and jargon. I also participated in the Mentoring Program. My mentor and I met for coffee one afternoon and talked for about an hour. He told me how he got into the MDM field and he gave me some great advice about how to make the best of my job this year, my Masters program, potential PhD programs, and life in general. I found that meeting with him to be very helpful and I definitely think this program needs to become an SMDM tradition.

No, I didn't understand every single study that was presented at the conference, and it was overwhelming at times, but I definitely appreciated the diversity of research conducted. I did not realize how MDM impacted so many aspects of medicine and society. For five days, I was immersed in cost-effectiveness analysis, health status and utilities, simulation modeling, shared decision-making, and decision psychology. While this might sound super nerdy, I found it all quite fascinating. But as my mentor told me during our meeting, "This is one of the nerdiest conferences you will ever go to."

Also, I had the opportunity to attend both Dinner with Experts events. At both dinners, I met MDM senior experts, as well as other young professionals, some of whom were physicians, and others who were strictly research-focused. The dinners were educational and loads of fun! I found it to be very nice to be able to talk about our jobs and network while also being able to relax. In fact, the last night of the conference, one of the senior experts took a bunch of the trainees to a local karaoke bar. It was such a wonderful time-definitely a tradition-worthy activity!

SMDM Toronto was a great experience. While I was nervous at the beginning, in hindsight, I really had nothing to be nervous about. I learned that I didn't have to understand every single study that was presented-I just needed to try to challenge myself to understand a few new things. I had the opportunity to meet many people from all over the world. Yes, I had to put much effort into meeting new people (had to build up my confidence to introduce myself to some of the experts, attended the social events, and participate in as many trainee and new member activities as possible), but it was a lot of fun and I was able to network with many great people. And, last but not least, I learned that there is no one stereotypical MDM person. I was surprised to find out how so many people from such diverse backgrounds could have such similar interests! I fit in right away.

Reminiscing about the great times I had in Toronto makes me all the more excited for SMDM 2011. I am very much looking forward to seeing you all at the "nerdiest conference" in Chicago!

In offering my feedback as an SMDM international scholar on the SMDM 32nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, I would like to pick up where Kathryn McDonald left off in her presidential address by using anew the four "Ps."

The October meeting was an overall achievement of intentions, but to briefly cite my evidence-based experience, I am highlighting the Program, the Posters, the Presidential address, and the Practice. Every knowledge seeker would appreciate the abstract presentations and the symposia. I must admit some abstracts were highly technical for me but then it is always a favorable opportunity to be introduced to new HTA concepts and start from there to explore further. I found the HTA keynote lectures on bioethics, economics and research perspectives comprehensively, simply, and skillfully presented. The "Health Technology Assessment Around the World" symposium was a revealing compare-and-contrast exposition on developing and developed health resource systems. My short course on infectious disease modeling was a beneficial introduction as it gave me some ideas on what possible disease models I may work out on in the future. I could sense the "urgency for action" of the interest group meetings that I attended, specifically the infectious disease modeling and global health working groups. The mentoring program was a real glad way to feel we are most welcome to the society, aside from the great bonus of hearing career directional advice from experts. Thank you to my mentor Ken Smith! The poster presentations were the "big surprise" for me in this meeting, as I happened to listen to the constructive remarks of some poster visitors to the presenters. It was a real added treat for me to hear pointers. One presenter I met, Carrie Daymont, and who was a first time SMDM meeting attendee, mentioned "It's different here; the people give informative comments and are friendly."

It was a truly touching presidential address that Kathryn McDonald gave as sincerity of her SMDM ideals just spontaneously flowed out of her speech.

For the last "P," I could outright say SMDM truly practices what it preaches! As one of the international travel scholars in this year's meeting, I deeply thank SMDM (through the generous grant of the University of Toronto) for a personal, professional, playful, and powerful experience! And if you would like to contribute or get more involved in the scholarship program, please see below or email Bruce Schackman at brs2006@med.cornell.edu.

A first time SMDM Annual Meeting attendee, I walked to the registration table Sunday afternoon and passed numerous men and women dressed in bridal gowns and mulling about the hotel. I thought to myself, SMDM is an interesting group! Reaching the table, SMDM staff members warmly welcomed me and assured me that the gowns were not part of a new member hazing ritual.

I met Alan Schwartz who said that a local charity was going for the record for most people in bridal gowns in a single room. Next thing I knew, Alan, Marieke de Vries and I were sitting together in a ballroom along with 300 other "brides." The organization, a Toronto group that distributes clothing to those in need, broke the world record!

Two hours later, I was out my gown, attending the New Member Reception. There, I met SMDM Trustee and Historian, Stephen Pauker. He expressed an immediate interest in my work on shared decision-making and culture. He also offered me sage advice about "keeping it real." Our conversation reinforced my growing comfort as a new attendee.

Sunday evening continued on a positive note as I joined Marilyn Schapira, Deb Feldman-Stewart and other SMDM members for "dinner with the experts." Our conversations were warm and friendly and, again, folks were genuinely interested in each other's work. I fell asleep that night impressed with SMDM's concerted effort to make new members feel valuable and welcome.

Over the next two days, I attended plenary, concurrent and poster sessions where I deepened my understanding and met many more researchers doing exciting work. As a consumer psychologist with a longstanding interest in social marketing and healthcare and a more recent focus on cultural framing of patient decision aids, SMDM's sessions provided me with an incredible overview of the cutting edge theories, methods, issues and contributions that comprise medical decision-making research.

One important highlight was the Shared Decision-Making SIG meeting on Tuesday. I was impressed with the openness and value placed on feedback regarding ways to continually improve the SIG and the Annual Meeting. I felt the same "vibe" at the Annual Business Meeting Tuesday afternoon. The "icing on the cake" came when I returned to Honolulu and researchers from whom I had requested information responded within a few days. Amazing!

Overall, I came away from the 2010 SMDM Annual Meeting in Toronto with high respect for the women and men contributing to advances in this field as well a strong desire to earn the right to be counted among them. I'm looking forward to Chicago in 2011. Aloha and thank you all for a wonderful first time experience.