In December of 2023, Council and a small group of Society representatives convened for a strategic planning meeting. The result was a new 3-year strategic plan. The 2024-2027 Strategic Plan was shared with Society members in early 2024. Over the last year, members of Council and the Society have been hard at work implementing actions to advance our strategic goals. Below, we highlight notable achievements over the past year and plans for the future.
2024 Strategic Action Accomplishments
- Renamed our society to the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM) to facilitate the dissemination and advancement of our science and its applications
- Defined biopsychosocial science and medicine for dissemination on our website and in Society materials
- Reduced barriers for inclusion through implementation of Studies-in-Progress Poster Submissions for annual meeting
- Revised Awards Committee policies and procedures to enhance openness and transparency of our processes for recognition of members’ scientific excellence
- Created a Digital Editor position for the Society journal to advance the dissemination of biopsychosocial science to scientific and other communities
2025 Strategic Action Plans
- Rename journal to Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (BSAM)
- Develop midyear virtual flash courses or webinars to advance core competencies in biopsychosocial science
- Enhance social media communication of biopsychosocial science opportunities and member achievements
2024 Strategic Action Accomplishments
- Launched the Clinical Science Task Force; held first quarterly case-based science webinar
- Introduced a case presentation submission type for the annual meeting
- Held the second virtual Disease a Year meeting; offered continuing medical education (CME) credit to member and non-member attendees
- Outlined a new era of clinical and public health impact for the Society in Towards a Second Social Movement in Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine
2025 Strategic Action Plans
- Partner with an established organization (e.g., FABBS) to enhance SBSM’s efforts to inform policy
- Promote clinically relevant research and activities by SBSM members on social media, the SBSM website, and via e-mail
- Highlight community-partnered research at the annual meeting and offer virtual webinars focused on incorporating more community engagement and dissemination in our research
- Continue Clinical Science Webinar Series and hold 3rd annual Disease a Year meeting
2024 Strategic Action Accomplishments
- The Antiracism Task Force developed recommendations for equity-promoting policies and procedures for committees, special interest groups (SIGs), and other Society groups
- Held first meeting of the Inclusivity for Impact, Equity, and Engagement (I2EyE) Scholars Cohort Program
- Held 2ndannual Mid-Senior Member Mentoring Program; engaged in efforts to strengthen and innovate the program
- Multiple SIGs and Task Force groups held virtual seminars to enhance engagement throughout the year
2025 Strategic Action Plans
- Implement equity-promoting policies and procedures recommended by the Antiracism Task Force
- Develop a member data dashboard to facilitate tracking of number of members and member characteristics
- Implement recognition of sustained membership at annual meeting and on our Society website
- Develop success metrics for each program with a budgetary outlay; use metrics to assess these programs