Springtime is here and there is a 'buzz' of new activity all around us, including throughout the ATA. The Spring Meeting entitled 'Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Exploring the Possibilities' is rapidly approaching. This meeting will begin with a Research Summit on Thursday April 25 focusing on thyroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, transport and action, as well as updates on thyroid hormone analogs and thyroid stem cell biology. On Friday April 26, the Clinical Symposium will focus on the goals and challenges of treating hypothyroidism, clinical, pharmacologic and regulatory issues involving T4/T3 combination therapy, slow release T3 and compounded thyroid hormone and thyroid hormone analogs. This comprehensive symposium will also explore special topics related to hypothyroidism including genetics, ethics and unique management in children, pregnant women and the elderly. We have 103 registrants as of mid-March. You can still register for this exciting meeting on the ATA website. I hope to see you at the Summit and Symposium. The Program Committee is nearing completion on an outstanding program for the 83rd Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico October 16-20, 2013. The meeting will begin with focused reviews on Recent Developments and Future Challenges in Thyroidology. There are many exciting symposia, early risers sessions, meet-the-professor workshops and plenary/award lectures to stimulate thought and discussions across basic, translational and clinical thyroidology. Examples include a special session on iodine status and programs around the world, use of molecular diagnostic testing in patients with thyroid nodules, thyroid hormone and sirtuins, maternal autoimmune thyroid disease and ADHD in the offspring, update on risk stratification of thyroid cancer patients, thyroid hormone regulation of cholesterol and liver metabolism, local control of thyroid hormone availability, early stages of thyroid autoimmunity and a repeat of the popular thyroid cancer tumor board, just to name a few. There will also be paradigm-shifting plenary lectures on embryonic stem cells in thyroid development and "The Application of Integrative Sequencing for Precision Oncology", as well as the Clark T. Sawin historical vignette on Italian thyroidology with a tribute to Aldo Pinchera. You really must attend to see all that the Program Committee packed into this outstanding meeting. The Public Health committee has been diligently pursuing a rational and comprehensive plan for potassium iodide distribution in preparation for nuclear accidents. This work has resulted in some breakthroughs in Washington, which is no small achievement. We will now see if that persistent patience pays off. The Internet Communications Committee is working on the final redesign of the ATA website which should be launched in the next 6-8 weeks. Furthermore, a MACIS staging calculator was added this year and committee will continue to work with the Trainees and Career Advancement Committee to enhance and explore additional calculator tools which may be useful. The Surgical Affairs Committee is as busy and productive as ever with manuscripts addressing airway management, preoperative imaging and surgical approaches for recurrent/persistent thyroid cancer in various stages of development. The Research Committee is now reviewing a record number of applications (58) in the first round of grant submissions. The Clinical Affairs Committee has just published an informative review of three commercially available tests for patients with indeterminate cytology on thyroid FNAB. This 'white paper' describes the utility and limitations of the genetic mutation and rearrangement panel, the gene expression classifier as well as the peripheral TSH mRNA assay. The Development Committee has been quite active in nurturing a productive relationship with our industry partners through the Corporate Leadership Council (CLC). Preparation for the launch of the CLC Communication Portal is underway. CLC industry members have been notified and invited to submit industry news for review and inclusion in the online portal which we target to activate this spring. Finally, our strength as an organization is built on a foundation of a talented and active membership. We recognize this talent through our many awards (Ingbar, Starr, Van Meter, Pathophysiology Medal, and Braverman awards). We also rely on the volunteer talent of our officers and Board members. If you have not yet done so, please nominate colleagues for awards and positions of leadership within our Association. Submissions can be done electronically through our website and are due by March 31st. Have a wonderful and productive spring.
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Colleagues,