WHO WE ARE: CMDA – The Colorado Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, formerly the Colorado Medical Directors Association, is organized for the benefit of and to provide support and education for medical directors, providers, pharmacists, nursing home administrators, directors of nursing, and other professionals concerning the provision of post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) medicine.  The official CMDA website is www.cmda.us.  

CMDA MISSION STATEMENT: CMDA provides education, advocacy, and a community of professionals to promote the collaboration and delivery of the highest quality care in PALTC medicine. 

HISTORY:  In the early 1990s, a small group of interested physicians, nurse practitioners, nursing home administrators, and pharmacists met regularly as the Colorado Medical Directors Association with the Health Facilities Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).  In 1994, the first CMDA Annual Conference was organized.  CMDA became a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in 2006. In 2018, organization name changed to CMDA – The Colorado Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine to reflect the broadening vision of CMDA. In 2022, the number of members was 283.

Several CMDA members have represented Colorado nationally through AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, including Karyn Leible, RN, MD, CMD, Past CMDA President, President of AMDA 2011-2012; Fred Feinsod, MD, CMD, Past CMDA President, AMDA Board Member, AMDA Medical Director of the Year 2020; Cari Levy, MD, PhD, CMD, Past CMDA President, President of AMDA 2018-2019; Leslie Eber, MD, CMD, Past CMDA President, AMDA Board Member since 2019, AMDA Medical Director of the Year 2021, AMDA Vice-President 2024; Sing Palat, MD, CMD, CMDA President, AMDA Board Member 2021-2023; Allison Villegas, PA-C, CMDA Vice-President, AMDA House of Delegates Representative since 2021; Lea Watson MD, AMDA Board Member since 2023.

AFFILIATIONS: CMDA is the official state chapter of PALTmed the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association.

COLLABORATION: CMDA has collaborated with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Healthcare Association/ Colorado Center for Assisted Living (CHCA/CCAL), Colorado Dementia Partnership, Telligen Quality Improvement Organization, Colorado Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, Vivage Community Ethics group, Colorado Geriatric Journal Club, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine Division of Geriatrics, Foothills Medical Society, and other community organizations concerned with the delivery of quality PALTC medicine.

GRANTS: CMDA is recognized as a 501(c)3 and is registered by the State of Colorado as a Not-For-Profit Corporation.  CMDA can receive grants for educational purposes.  CMDA can dispense grants for educational purposes. CMDA has sponsored Colorado participants in the Futures Program of the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Medicine.

MEETINGS: CMDA meets monthly for evidence-based education, updates from CMDA community partners, and support for colleagues.  Each year, CMDA hosts an annual educational conference - in partnership with either CHCA/CCAL - featuring high-caliber local and national experts as well as a successful trade show.  CMDA’s 30^th Annual Conference will be held April 25, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

MEMBERSHIP: General membership in CMDA is available under various levels of membership dues for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, allied health professionals, students and retired professionals in 1- or 2-year increments.

Membership Programing and Benefits

The following programming is offered by CMDA:

• Monthly meetings and an Annual Conference
• CMDA Email distribution list
• Archived slides and videos from past meetings and conferences
• COVID-19 and other online Resources
• CMDA interdisciplinary podcast series
• PALTC Futures Program support
• Website for the Colorado Dementia Partnership
• Facebook page

CMDA hosts monthly meetings that are open to the public and creates email blasts to disseminate news, community and CMDA event notices, and PALTC education. Benefits to participants include the following:

• Connection to a larger community of professionals aiming to produce positive results for the health of PALTC residents, staff and providers
• Education on high quality and high standards of care in PALTC
• Networking with other professionals to share ideas, build support, hold accountable, and generate innovative solutions to enhance the care in PALTC
• Affiliation with a local organized, professional medical association with access to the resources of the national affiliate, AMDA The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine

Paid membership includes additional benefits of voting rights, eligibility to serve on the Board of Directors and CMDA subcommittees, discounted registration at the CMDA Annual Conference, and other exclusive content as determined by the CMDA Board.

ADVOCACY:  Supporting professionals in PALTC includes advocating for PALTC patients, communities, staff, providers, public health, and community organizations.  CMDA advocates for the highest standards of medical care, improved understanding of PALTC medicine, elevation of PALTC professionals, and improved quality of life for patients and providers. Our advocacy efforts start at the bedside and extend to the CDPHE, academic centers, other professional medical societies, and AMDA.