The Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) convened for the 74th annual conference this year at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brewing with fantastic speakers and stunning artwork, the conference welcomed over 440 attendees and nearly 40 speakers to celebrate the history and cutting-edge future of medical illustration.

Looking and learning

Day one of AMI 2019 began with a line-up of fascinating workshops for varied interests and skill-levels available for continuing education credits. With topics on virtual reality, 3D sculpting, techniques in animation, and more, workshop attendees had the unique opportunity to explore some important new media techniques in medical visualization! Shortly after, the much anticipated AMI2019 Online Salon its opening event, filled with magnificent artwork and no shortage of mac and cheese.

Fossils & Faux-Cells! The Main-Stage Speakers

The first day of talks at AMI 2019 welcomed Keynote speaker Paul Sereno, world renowned paleontologist-archaeologist known for his work at the University of Chicago and as a National Geographic Explorer. Showcasing gorgeous paleo-art, Sereno called attention to his experience using CT scanning technology, 3D printing, and modern visualization techniques to create work influence an enormous field of international research. Following the keynote was a fast-paced and engaging business talk by esteemed marketing coach, Leslie Horn Trosset. Trosset called medical illustrators, “the unsung heroes of our world” and pointed out the fears that hold back many artists in self-promotion. She left the audience with a call to action on interacting with the audience through the power of original content.

After the annual business lunch came three biomedical talks: acclaimed scientist Dr. Francois Luks, neurosurgeon Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, and biocommunicator Dr. Isabel Romero Calvo. A crowd favorite at the AMI conferences, the lightning talks covered topics from dinosaurs to virtual reality to open source software, with speakers Lauren Conroy, Melanie Connolly, Aimee Cammilleri, Sarah Chen, and Eva Mae Baucom. Ending with the round table sessions and the Salon Awards Banquet, attendees left Friday of the conference feeling enriched, enlivened, and inspired!

The following day of talks began with highly anticipated speaker, award winning illustrator for RCSB Protein Data Bank, and Muriel McLatchie Memorial lecturer David Goodsell. Goodsell blew the audience away, showing incredible artwork and innovative SciViz applications that raised audible gasps throughout the auditorium. Following Goodsell was the knowledgeable Janet Hicks of the Artists Rights Society (ARS), explaining both the history of ARS advocacy to protect visual artist’s rights and the new opportunity for illustrators to claim reprographic royalties earned through collective licensing in foreign countries. The final main-stage speaker for the afternoon, Denise Barreto, spoke immediately after lunch, but had no trouble grabbing audience attention with an engaging and vitally important discussion on inclusivity in leadership.

The final day of the conference began with a series of 20-minute art-style talks with speakers Bill Westwood, Gene Wright, Julia Molnar, and Amanda Almon. Topics included a wide range, from the profound influence of iconic medical illustrator, the beloved Robert J. Demarest, to critique methods in modern education, to health technology-induced patient engagement (for better or worse). After brunch, speakers Eleanor Milman & Molly Huttner talked in-depth ethics, Carrie Shaw inspired with a look at storytelling and empathy in VR, and Quay Kester brought the unique perspectives of imagery to patient understanding. The final three main-stage speakers were last but certainly not least: Ted Kucklick went through a rapid-fire look at the fascinating history of medical devices; Dave Mazierski took the audience on an engrossing journey, looking at the potential (and potentially dark) connections between two wildly influential anatomical atlases; and Northwestern neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Walsh captivated attendees with a call to “Disney-fication”, asking why the patient waiting room experience couldn’t hold the same magic and engagement as waiting in line at the most beloved places in the world.

Go your own way: Concurrent sessions

Attendees of the AMI conference are particularly unique in background experience, objectives, and interests. As such, AMI 2019 gave these attendees an impressive number of exciting choices on topics to learn about, with eight concurrent talks alongside the tech showcase, the brand new interactive expo, and the Vesalius Trust poster session!

In concurrents 8 and 9, John Daugherty gave an enchanting look at the extraordinary life and work of medical illustrator Dr. Paul Peck; meanwhile, Justin Klein gave an insightful look at going from lonely freelancer to full-blown creative agency owner. Later on, impressive researcher Dr. Alison Doubleday discussed the genuine power of the field of biomedical visualization, remarking on measurable impact and the drive to innovate. Meanwhile, the AMI held its very first Interactive Expo, where AMI salon entrants allowed attendees to view interactive submissions in the way they were truly meant to be viewed: real interaction! Submitters showed a number of projects, including virtual reality simulations, desktop video games and apps, and card games!

Techniques Showcase presenters spent an exciting block showcasing a number of tips, tricks, and talents, with speakers: Shlomo Spaeth, Laura Roy, Vincent DiPaola, Kevin Brennan, Carolina Hrejsa, Melanie Connolly, Emily Ling, Mandy Root-Thompson, and Liza Knipscher. Topics included new techniques in the Unity game engine, stunning watercolor, digital library management, and insightful software mastery! Simultaneously, concurrent presenters Russell McLaughlin, Debbie Irwin, and James Archer talked on the importance of well-designed experiences, including voice, music, and more. Elizabeth Nixon-Shapiro and Pauline Rowsome went through their own techniques and sharp knowledge in effective and popular whiteboard animations. Researcher Drew Danielle Belsky gave an enriching perspective on the role of medical illustrators as a family of storytellers. Finally, Dr. Isabel Romero Calvo returned to moderate an interesting, unique new panel on modern science and the influence of Leonardo DaVinci, with panelists Christa Wellman, Michael Walsh, and Tiha Long

Winner highlights

The annual Awards Banquet inspired attendees by recognizing the excellence seen in the salon, research, and volunteering, as well as the incredible achievements of iconic members. Thomas Nowacki was inducted as a Fellow of the AMI (FAMI) having attained over 1000 Fellow points by generously contributing skill, time, and effort by performing volunteer service.

The year's salon awards were numerous as well. In the student section, Felix Donghwi Son was presented with the Student Best In Show Award for Still Media for the piece, “Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease.” Student Best in Show Award for New Media was given to Lisa Qiu for “Novel HIV Vaccine Research and Development.”

In the professional category, the Professional Member’s Choice Award for New Media was presented to XVIVO Scientific Animation for “Dental Biofilm, Dysbiosis, & Disease.” The esteemed Ralph Sweet award, or the Professional Member’s Choice Award for Still Media was a tie, awarded to Amy Zhong for the innovative fold-out piece “Blepharoplasty Teacher“ and awarded to Cynthia Turner for the gorgeous piece, “Flora.”

Award for Still Media was a tie, awarded to Amy Zhong for the innovative fold-out piece “Blepharoplasty Teacher“ and awarded to Cynthia Turner for the gorgeous piece, “Flora.”

Cynthia Turner’s excellence didn’t stop there - after the presentation of salon awards, Turner was awarded the 2019 AMI Lifetime Achievement Award, after a remarkable career of impeccable artwork and powerful action on behalf of artists rights.”

The Max Brödel Award for Excellence in Education is given to an AMI member who holds a remarkable regard for learning and a generosity of spirit in teaching. The 2019 Max Brödel Award was given posthumously to iconic, esteemed, and beloved late illustrator, Robert J. Demarest, with an introduction that warranted misty eyes from the audience and an adoring standing ovation from the crowd. Bob’s daughter, Nancy O'Donnell, accepted the award on behalf of the family.

Don’t be an illu-stranger - come see us next year!

The 2019 AMI meeting was a hearty success, with fantastic speakers and topics and no shortage of inspiration, discussion, and friendship.

Next year’s annual meeting in Phoenix will be the 75th anniversary of the AMI, and will undoubtedly be a special event. We hope you’ll join us!

Thank you to our Sponsors!