Your most-frequently-asked OMED questions are listed below. If you have a question that is not addressed, please contact us directly.
Q: What is OMED?
Hosted by the American Osteopathic Association, OMED is an annual medical conference bringing together thousands of osteopathic physicians, medical students and other health professionals from across the country.
Q: What does OMED stand for?
OMED stands for Osteopathic Medical Education Conference.
Q: When and where will OMED 2018 take place?
OMED 2018, the 123rd osteopathic medical conference and exposition, will take place Friday, Oct. 5, through Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center with ancillary meetings at the Marriott Marquis San Diego.
Q: How can I access the OMED program?
The 2018 OMED program is available online.
Q: Do I have to attend only the sessions in my specialty?
No. Conference attendees may attend any of the offered sessions as part of the core OMED credits. However, please note that many specialties require their members to attend specific sessions, and since the AOA does not keep track of attendance for all sessions, individuals are encouraged to do so for themselves.
Q: May I bring my family to OMED?
Yes, families are welcome at OMED, and can be registered as guests. Children 13 and under may receive complimentary registration. Please note that only paid attendees are permitted into the educational sessions.
Q: Who are the Keynote Speakers?
Our OMED 18 Keynote Speakers are health care innovator Nicholas J. Webb and health care policy expert Peter B. Bach, MD, MAPP. Webb will speak on Friday, Oct. 5, and Dr. Bach will speak on Saturday, Oct. 6, during the OMED General Sessions.
Q: What is the Experience Zone and what events take place there?
The Experience Zone (Exhibit Hall) is the center of the action at OMED! Not only is it a hub for gathering and networking, but it’s also a place to discover new technologies, therapeutics and tools to help you provide cutting-edge care for your patients. Please visit OMED Exhibits for more info about events in the Exhibit Hall.
Q: What are the Experience Zone hours?
The Experience Zone will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.
Q: Where can I rent a scooter?
Scooters can be rented from Scootaround at (888) 441-7575 or www.scootaround.com.
Q: Where can I send feedback or suggestions?
The AOA constantly strives to improve your OMED experience. All feedback and suggestions are appreciated. Email conventions@osteopathic.org or call the AOA’s Customer Resource Center at (888) 62-MYAOA (888-626-9262).
Q: How do I get the OMED 2018 event mobile app and is it available for download?
The OMED 2018 app will be available soon from the App Store and Google Play. Once the app is available, you can view a short video on using the app and its many features, including session details, speakers, exhibitors, maps, live activity feeds and OMED alerts.
Q: When will the OMED Daily News be available and what issues will be covered?
The print edition of OMED Daily News will be available Saturday to Tuesday of OMED. Issues will include daily schedules as well as information on key activities and events.
Q: What fun things are there to do around San Diego?
There are many places for events, dining, shopping, nightlife and attractions in San Diego.
Q: What does adding your specialty to your registration mean?
Attendees can select up to four specialties and should be a member of the college which they are selecting. Revenue is shared among the specialties and the AOA.
Q: How do I book a hotel room and are there special rates?
Yes, there are special discounted hotel rates available during OMED.
Q: Is there a discounted rate for the military?
Yes, OMED 2018 offers a discounted registration rate of $645 for members of the military. View all OMED registration rates.
Q: What are the hotel reservation change/cancellation policies?
Reservation changes and cancellations can be made through Experient until Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. Please contact your hotel directly beginning Friday, Sept. 14, 2018.
For the Marriott, reservations must be cancelled within 72 hours prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid room and tax charges. For the Hyatt, reservations must be cancelled within 24 hours prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid room and tax charges. Please reference the hotel cancellation policy when making your hotel reservations.
Q: How do I book my flights for OMED and is there a discount code?
United Airlines offers discounted airfare for travel dates Oct. 5-24, 2018. You may make your reservations online at www.united.com and enter discount code ZER5808484 in the “Offer Code” box or call United at (800) 426-1122 and mention the discount code.
Q: What is the closest airport to San Diego? How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
San Diego International Airport and John Wayne Airport are the closest airports. Most hotels do not offer shuttle service. Learn more about transportation options during your stay.
Q: Is there a parking discount available?
There are no special parking discounts available. Please check with your hotel for parking rates.
Current parking rates at the Marriott Marquis San Diego are $35 for self-parking and $50 for valet parking overnight; $10 for the first hour and $7 each additional hour for self-parking at a maximum rate of $42 per day; and $12 the first hour and $7 each additional hour for valet parking at a maximum rate of $55 per day. On-site parking is available at the San Diego Convention Center. Rates may range from $15-$35 on days when there are special events downtown.
Q: What is the maximum CME I can earn at OMED 2018?
Physicians may earn up to 40.75 AOA Category 1-A CME credits during OMED, including:
- 7 AOA Category 1-A CME credits for optional didactic sessions on Friday
- 1 AOA Category 1-A CME credit for conference-wide General Session on Friday
- 7.5 AOA Category 1-A CME credits for didactic sessions on Saturday
- 1 AOA Category 1-A CME credit for conference-wide General Session on Saturday
- 1.25 AOA Category 1-A CME credits for breakfast seminar on Sunday
- 7.5 AOA Category 1-A CME credit for daily didactic sessions on Sunday
- 7.5 AOA Category 1-A CME credit for didactic sessions on Monday
- 8 AOA Category 1-A CME credits for didactic sessions on Tuesday
In addition, physicians may earn 3 AOA Category 2-B CME credits for the student poster competition on Sunday.
Note that CME hours are subject to change. Please check OMED Daily News for updates.
Q: How can I find out how many CME credits I have?
You may contact the AOA’s Customer Resource Center at (888) 62-MYAOA (888-626-9262) or crc@osteopathic.org.
Q: When will I receive a certificate of completion for my OMED credits?
Upon submission of the online attestation form, a verification letter for your earned credits can be immediately printed and/or emailed to the registration email. The AOA also reports the credits you earned directly to the AOA Customer Resource Center, which posts the credits to your online CME Activity Report found on Osteopathic.org. Please note that the AOA only provides letters of verification for credits earned during previous conferences upon request, so please direct those inquiries to (888) 62-MYAOA (888-626-9262).
Q: Will I receive a certificate if I am not a current AOA member or a DO?
Yes, a verification letter of credits earned can immediately be printed upon submission of the online attestation form. Also upon completion of attestation, you will be able to email and/or print the certificate immediately to send to anyone of your choice.
Q: How do I access lecture slides?
Lecture slides will be posted after OMED.
Q: I'm a student or resident. How can I register a parent who is visiting a poster presentation?
These requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact Dawn Amaskane or Laura Jelinek for further details.
Q: How do I register for my Board Exam taking place during OMED?
Please contact your specialty board for all matters concerning certification exams. If you do not have the phone number for your board, visit AOA Board Certification or contact the AOA Customer Resource Center at (888) 62-MYAOA (888-626-9262) or crc@osteopathic.org.
Q: Where can I find information for OMED 2018 abstract submissions?
Learn more about Research Abstracts, including guidelines and submission instructions.
Q: When will future OMED conferences be held?
The following conferences are planned:
- OMED 2018: Oct. 5-9, in San Diego, California
- OMED 2019: Oct. 25-28, in Baltimore, Maryland
- OMED 2020: Oct. 16-19, in Austin, Texas
- OMED 2021: Oct. 22-25, in Phoenix, Arizona
- OMED 2022: Oct. 27-30, in Boston, Massachusetts