5 Key Takeaways from the ACOG District II Meeting in Brooklyn

Meroka recently attended the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) District II Annual Meeting in New York City. The gathering brought together leaders, experts, and practitioners from across the OBGYN field to discuss critical issues facing women’s healthcare today. 

This year’s theme, “Navigating Now: Leading Through Change,” could not have been more relevant in today’s rapidly shifting healthcare landscape. 

Here are five key takeaways from the event that left a lasting impression on our team, and reinforced our mission to support independent OBGYN practices in their efforts to deliver top-notch care.

1. Artificial Intelligence Presents Opportunities and Challenges

The conversation surrounding health equity and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare was a major focus of the meeting. 

The integration of AI in obstetrics and gynecology has the potential to enhance patient care, particularly when it comes to addressing disparities in healthcare delivery, but this promise will not be automatically delivered. During the discussions, experts emphasized the need for AI solutions that prioritize equitable access to care, ensuring that technological advancements do not widen the gap for underserved populations.

Innovation without inclusion only widens disparities.

The meeting made it clear that, as AI becomes more prominent, it is essential for practices to not only adopt these technologies, but to make sure they are using them in a way that promotes health equity. 

Another fascinating discussion involved the legal ramifications of AI in women’s healthcare, particularly the uncertainties surrounding HIPAA compliance for AI-assisted tools.

Physicians are increasingly relying on transcription apps to reduce administrative burdens, and while these apps avoid including identifiable patient information, questions remain about the broader implications of these technologies. For independent practitioners, the cost of fully integrating AI into electronic health record (EHR) systems remains prohibitively expensive. Understanding how AI can be safely and affordably adopted without compromising patient privacy will be a challenge we need to tackle together.

2. Reproductive Health Access and Legal Challenges Are Complex

A session entitled “Reproductive Health Access and the Courts” featured prominent voices in reproductive health and current legal challenges. The speakers provided insight into the evolving legal landscape following recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, particularly regarding mifepristone litigation and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) disputes.

This session was especially relevant given the growing legislative challenges that have thwarted access to reproductive healthcare. ACOG is currently tracking more than 650 legislative initiatives, all of which have profound implications for women’s healthcare. These proposals range from issues surrounding reproductive rights to access to care, and they highlight the importance of ensuring providers have a voice in shaping policy.

The speakers highlighted ACOG’s role in navigating these legal battles and its strategy to protect evidence-based medicine from legislative interference. 

3. It Is Time to Add Menopause Care and Urogynecology

One of the most practical takeaways came from a session entitled, “Clinical Updates in Menopause Management and Urogynecology.” This discussion offered an in-depth look at the latest developments in treating menopause-related conditions and the growing importance of incorporating urogynecology services into OBGYN practices. 

Urogynecology, which focuses on pelvic floor disorders, is quickly becoming an essential component of women’s healthcare as more patients seek solutions for issues like incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

4. Rapid Changes Means Leaders Must Be Forward-Thinking, Adaptable, Empathetic

Leadership also was a central theme at the meeting.

Dr. Claudia S.P. Fernandez from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill delivered a standout session entitled, “Change Management and Leadership.” In a field as dynamic as healthcare, strong leadership is essential for navigating the constant changes in clinical guidelines, legal regulations, and patient care expectations. To be effective, Fernandez emphasized the need for healthcare leaders to be adaptable, empathetic, and forward-thinking as they guide their teams through times of transition.

For Meroka, this session reinforced our approach to supporting independent OBGYN practices. We know change is inevitable, and having the right leadership and management strategies in place is key to ensuring long-term success. Whether it is adopting new technologies, expanding service lines, or adjusting to regulatory shifts, effective leadership helps practices thrive in an environment of constant evolution.

One area in desperate need of leadership is maternal health, and another major focus of this year’s meeting was ACOG’s Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI).

The SMI targets critical areas to reduce maternal mortality, including maternal sepsis, obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension, and cardiac conditions during obstetric care. Notably, new clinical pathways are emerging to tackle these issues, along with venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism prevention. The emphasis on early warning signs in maternity care is an essential step forward in improving outcomes. These guidelines will not only strengthen clinical practice but also save lives.

5. Independent Practices and Physicians Need Better Support

One of the most sobering discussions at the conference highlighted the significant barriers faced by OBGYNs who take leaves of absence and attempt to return to practice. Over the years, programs designed to help these physicians refresh and retrain have dwindled, leaving a gap in the system. We must reimagine these educational programs to ensure we are supporting this often-overlooked workforce. 

Tapping into this group could not only provide vital services, but also alleviate some of the staffing shortages plaguing healthcare.

The conference also addressed the increasing financial pressures faced by OBGYN practices, and how optimizing medical coding and billing processes can help. 

A session entitled, “Coding Updates and Medical Coding Process Improvement” explained how proper coding not only ensures compliance, but also maximizes revenue. Accurate coding directly impacts a practice’s bottom line because it reduces denials, improves reimbursement rates, and streamlines administrative tasks.

For independent practices, which often lack the extensive resources that larger healthcare organizations have, staying up-to-date with the latest coding guidelines and programs to re-board physicians who have taken a leave of absence, is especially critical. At Meroka, we are excited to take all that we learned during this session back to our clients, helping them implement coding improvements that boost financial performance and ensure compliance with ever-changing regulations.

Looking Ahead: How Meroka is Applying What We Learned

Attending the ACOG District II Annual Meeting provided invaluable insights into the current and future landscape of obstetrics and gynecology. From the role of AI and health equity to the evolving legal challenges and the importance of leadership, we left the meeting inspired and informed. 

At Meroka, we are committed to using these insights to further our mission of empowering independent OBGYN practices. We believe that by staying at the forefront of industry changes and equipping our clients with the right tools and knowledge, we can help them continue to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while remaining independent.

We are excited about what the future holds for independent OBGYN practices and look forward to implementing the lessons we learned at the ACOG District II meeting. 

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to lead through change!