AIM sets inaugural summit on independent medicine in Chicago

The Association for Independent Medicine will host its first Independent Physician Summit in Chicago from Oct. 2-4, 2026, bringing together independent doctors, practice leaders and policy voices. The event is designed to help physician-led practices respond to consolidation, private equity pressure and sustainability challenges.

Why it matters: - Independent physician practices are facing pressure from healthcare consolidation, private equity investment, regulatory complexity and sustainability concerns. - AIM is positioning the summit as a national meeting point for physician-led practices that want to protect clinical autonomy and patient-centered care. - The event is meant to support coordinated advocacy at the state and national levels.

What happened: - The Association for Independent Medicine announced its inaugural Independent Physician Summit 2026: Building a Coalition to Unite, Advocate and Stay Independent. - The conference will be held Oct. 2-4, 2026, at the Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago. - AIM says the summit will bring together independent physicians and medical group leaders committed to preserving physician-led practices. - Registration is open at the conference website. - Early-bird pricing ends July 31, 2026.

The details: - The summit will feature discussions, panels and Q&As on protecting physician autonomy, navigating private equity and healthcare market pressures, strengthening practice sustainability, coordinating advocacy, and building collaboration across independent physician organizations. - Planned speakers include Dr. Marco Fernandez and Jack Dillon on the state of independent medicine. - Emma Freer of the American Economic Liberties Project will speak on why independent medicine matters now. - Preston Alexander of Forward Slash / Health and Dr. Adrienne Towsen of Towsen Clinic will present on surviving and rebuilding after a takeover. - Dr. David Norris and Dr. Ali Sabbagh will address financial resilience and practice protection. - Dr. Bobby Mukkamala of the AMA Board of Trustees will discuss payment reform, physician well-being and physician-led care. - Andrew Woods of Liberty Partners Group will lead a session on advocacy basics. - A keynote conversation with NHL legend Eddie Olczyk will focus on leadership, resilience and high-stakes performance. - Hayden Rooke-Ley, Oregon state Rep. Ben Bowman and Dr. Elissa Pirocanac will discuss how physicians can drive policy change. - Morgan Harper, Hayden Rooke-Ley, Dr. Adrienne Towsen and Dr. Elisabeth Potter will close with a session on turning insight into action. - Full conference details, including the agenda, presentation descriptions, hotel information and sponsorship opportunities, are available on the event website.

Between the lines: - AIM is using the summit to build a broader coalition around independent medicine, not just to host a conference. - The speaker lineup mixes physicians, policy advocates, legal and economic voices, which signals a focus on both practice management and political strategy. - The event reflects growing concern among independent doctors that market pressure is changing how medicine is practiced.

What's next: - Physicians and practice leaders can register now and seek early-bird pricing before July 31, 2026. - AIM is likely to use the Chicago gathering to build ongoing advocacy coordination among independent physician groups. - The organization says attendees will leave with practical strategies, resources and connections they can use immediately.

The bottom line: - AIM is making independence itself the central issue for physician-led practices, and the Chicago summit is the group's first major attempt to organize that fight at scale.