It is with great sadness, that I inform you of the passing this month of two giants in the field of Thyroidology. Dr Boris Catz passed away on May 2 and Dr Ernie Mazzaferri passed away on May 14. Boris Catz was Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California, and still seeing patients. Among his many accomplishments was his pioneering work with Samuel Perzik in the development of total thyroidectomy for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, cancer, multinodular goiter, and chronic thyroiditis not responsive to medical management. His generosity led to the annual Paul Starr Award which began in 1981 and recognizes an outstanding contributor to clinical thyroidology. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the ATA in 2001. Boris will be fondly remembered for his straight-talking, 'tell it like he sees it' style, and for his ever-present cigars. Ernie Mazzaferri retired from academic medicine as Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University in 1999. As is characteristic of Ernie, he continued active clinical and international academic work many years into that retirement. His wife Florence commented that he seemed as busy and happy as ever in his 'retirement'. Dr Mazzaferri was widely regarded as one of the foremost international authorities on thyroid cancer. He published more than 160 peer reviewed articles, wrote more than 150 medical editorials, case studies, and abstracts, and edited or co-authored 53 medical text books. Ernie received the Paul Starr Award in 1998, was President of our Association in 2006 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2009. He was an invaluable mentor to so many in our field, and I am fortunate to have benefited from his friendship and wise counsel. The ATA Spring Meeting focused on Hypothyroidism was a tremendous success thanks to the leadership and efforts of the co-chairs Tony Bianco, Ken Burman, Jacquie Jonklaas and the organizing committee. The Research Summit had nearly 100 attendees and approximately 130 attendees enjoyed the Clinical Symposium. One of our initiatives, to attract and retain research scientists in the ATA has been moving forward thanks to the input from the basic science task force led by Sheue-yann Cheng. We have reduced registration fees for the Annual meeting by 25% for PhD scientists, and we are now offering half-price membership fees for PhD scientists in the first 10 years after degree completion to attract promising young faculty to join our Association. We are also exploring new mechanisms for research grant funding and options to provide basic science research awards at our Annual meeting. Please encourage your research colleagues interested in thyroid research to join the ATA. World Thyroid Day will be observed (or was observed) on May 25. In observance of this international event, every country is expected to devote time and effort to promote thyroid health and iodine nutrition through activities that will increase awareness of the country's population regarding diseases and disorders affecting the thyroid. The ATA is planning a press release in observance of World Thyroid Day and we are asking the Friends of the ATA to help spread the word about thyroid health and iodine nutrition to colleagues, family and friends. The 83rd Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 16-20, 2013) is fast approaching. The call for abstracts closes June 26, and the agenda for this exciting meeting is available for viewing on the ATA website. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our Annual meeting, and I have been assured that the weather will be great.
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Dear Colleagues,