WHO WE ARE: PALTmed-Colorado (Post-Acute and Long-Term Medical Association - Colorado, previously CMDA – The Colorado Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, and 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.  We are the official state chapter of PALTmed.  The PALTmed-Colorado website is www.cmda.us.  

PALTmed-Colorado MISSION STATEMENT: PALTmed-Colorado 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 2025, the organization name changed to Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association - Colorado. 

Several CMDA members have represented Colorado nationally through PALTmed (formerly 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, PALTmed President 2026; Sing Palat, MD, CMD, CMDA President, AMDA Board Member 2021-2023; Allison Villegas, PA-C, CMDA Vice-President, AMDA House of Delegates Representative 2021-2025; Lea Watson MD, AMDA Board Member 2023-2025.

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

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

MEETINGS: PALTmed-Colorado community meetings take place monthly and are open to the public for education, updates, and collaborating with community partners. The PALTmed-Colorado Learning Community meets monthly for to grow the core community knowledge of PALTC medicine with high-impact clinical presentations by local leaders.  The annual educational conference features high-caliber local and national experts along with a lively trade show.  The PALTmed-Colorado 32nd Annual Conference will be held May 7, 2027 in Denver, Colorado.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership in PALTmed-Colorado is available under various levels in 1-year increments.

ADVOCACY:   PALTmed-Colorado 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 practitioners. Our advocacy efforts start at the bedside and extend to public health, academic centers, other professional medical societies, and PALTmed.