Secretary's Update - August 2012

Things are shaping up for the Annual Meeting to be an exceptional and possibly record-breaking gathering. The scientific program that has been organized by Elizabeth Pearce, Doug Forrest and the members of the Program Committee will be outstanding. The venue in Quebec City will be beautiful and unique. And the interest of our members and guests, as reflected by registrations to date, abstracts submitted, and room reservations in the meeting hotels suggests that this year's meeting may set a new attendance record. It is an opportunity not-to-be-missed! Of course, being an ATA member brings with it an obligation to attend our annual meeting when possible, and participating in it when needed or asked. The loyalty, interest, energy, and willing participation in our annual meeting by our members are the things that make it great each and every year. 2012's meeting will be another, even greater example.

ATA is planning a Spring Symposium for 2013. In keeping with the format other ATA spring meetings the focus will be more narrow that our Annual Meeting, and include both research and clinical items of interest surrounding a current topic of high interest in Thyroidology. Jacquie Jonklaas and Ken Burman, along with other members of the Hypothyroidism task force, are deep into the planning process for an April 25-26 meeting in Washington, D.C. that will focus on clinical and research topics around hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone analogues, entitled "Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Exploring the Possibilities". It will include a half day of basic science topics on Thursday afternoon followed by a full day of clinical presentations on Friday, and will be held at the Westin City Center. Please mark your calendars.

As approved by the Board of Directors, ATA will be applying an increase our dues for 2013. Overall our dues have not increased in the last 3 years, except for small increases to match increases in the cost of THYROID subscription from our publisher. In view of the increasing pressures from declining support of industry, as well as expected inflation, we must match these pressures with an increase in our dues to maintain the excellent support we enjoy from our office and staff, as well as to continue to support our research programs, guidelines activities, the efforts of all our committees and task forces, and patient-focused initiatives. The increase will be only 5% if paid by December 15, and a 10% increase if paid after that date.

Congratulations to Peter Kopp for being selected as the new Editor-in-Chief for THYROID. Peter brings tremendous energy and editorial experience to this job and is already well into the transition process, which will be completed and "official" in the New Year. Through discussion with our publisher, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., he has already brought several new ideas and objectives forward for implementation and promises to further advance THYROID in its scope, visibility, and importance. He will of course be building upon a very strong foundation that has been constructed by the current EIC, Charles Emerson, and Charles' predecessors Terry Davies and Jerry Hershman. Already the premier journal for thyroid-related science, of all types, the impact factor for THYROID increased again this year to 4.792, a tribute to the efforts of the editorial board under Charles' direction. And with Peter's leadership, it promises to grow and flourish towards even greater heights.

The ATA election is underway and links to the electronic ballots have been sent to your inboxes. The slate of candidates recommended by the nominations committee for officers is a very strong one. PLEASE VOTE! Historically we have enjoyed only between 25% and 30% voter response in our elections and we should be able to do better. The process that has been implemented by our office, using SurveyMonkey.com, is efficient and easy. The ballot is open until Friday September 14. If you do not have the email containing the link for voting, please call the ATA office and we will be glad to re-send it to you. Results will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting for Active and Senior Members on Thursday, September 20 in Quebec City. PLEASE VOTE.

See you in Quebec City!

Sincerely,

John Morris, MD
Secretary/Chief Operating Officer