Hossein Gharib, M.D. ATA President

Dear ATA Colleagues,

I would first like to express my appreciation to each of you for the distinct honor of serving as President of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). This is no doubt a highlight of a long, interesting, and challenging journey that began for me in 1958 when I left my home in Iran. Indeed, this is a dream come true and I'd like to dedicate this honor to those, who like me, believe that hard work, honest efforts and hope eventually pays off.

I begin my work as president with a sense of pride in our past accomplishments and immense confidence in our future. I am pleased to report that the state of ATA remains strong. We are financially sound and maintain great strength in both practice and research in thyroid. Our Immediate Past President, Bryan Haugen, deserves credit for his effective and capable leadership. It will certainly be a hard act to follow. Equally important is the dedicated service of my longtime Mayo colleague, John Morris, ATA Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, as well as our professional ATA staff working under the direction of our Executive Director Bobbi Smith. And, of course, members of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, committee chairs and their members, deserve appreciation as well.

Last October, our Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was very successful and included one of the highest attendance records in recent years. Congratulations must go to the Program Committee, especially to Co-chairs, Ronald Koenig and Julie Ann Sosa. No sooner was the meeting over when we started planning for 2014! I am delighted to report that Fred Wondisford and Mike Tuttle have kindly agreed to serve as Co-chairs of the 2014 Annual Meeting Program Committee. I am very confident that under the able leadership of Fred, Mike, and their committee members, we will develop another outstanding scientific and social program for next year. Please send any suggestions you may have to us for topics and speakers for next year's meeting. Make sure to mark your calendars for our 84th Annual Meeting taking place October 29- November 2, 2014 at the historic and spectacular Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California. We hope to see you there with your family and friends.

Thus far into my tenure, I have reviewed the membership of all committees, made new appointments with appropriate changes, and selected new Chairs. Other plans for the coming year include publication and promotion of the revised Management Guidelines for Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer; development of VideoEndocrinology to offer members state-of-the-art techniques and imaging advances for thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and related disorders; embarking on a drive to expand international membership; promote diversity in our infrastructure; meet demands of our members; increase collaboration with our corporate partners, stressing the fact that our expertise is unique and our practice logical, evidence-based and patient-oriented; explore and expand joint activities with our sister societies; and enhance public and patient education with thyroid awareness campaigns.

I look forward with to working with you closely in the coming year.

My very best wishes to you and yours for a Happy Holiday Season.

Hossein Gharib, MD
ATA President