President's Update, April 2014
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| Hossein Gharib, M.D. ATA President |
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings from Minnesota where spring is just around the corner!
I am pleased to give you this progress report half way through my presidency. The Program Committee members are working hard to develop a superb program for the 84th Annual Meeting of the ATA . The program for the Thyroid Cancer Satellite Symposium on June 20, just prior to Endocrine Society Congress, is finished and many of you have already registered for the course. Dr Bryan Haugen and his Task Force plan to discuss what is new in the revised ATA Thyroid Nodule/Cancer Guidelines. And, the ATA will support and celebrate the 7th annual World Thyroid Day on May 25, 2014.
I would like to take a minute to recognize our dedicated ATA staff in this issue of the Signal. I think most of you know our staff, but below is a brief description explaining how long they've worked with and what they do for the ATA.
From Left to Right: Shirlyn Barger, Kelly Hoff, Bobbi Smith, Sharleene Cano, and Adonia Coates
The ATA looks to its headquarters' staff to be there when needed, to personally answer the phone, and to solve issues as they arise. ATA members expect knowledgeable advice and direction on meetings, research grants, membership needs and well-organized committee calls and program services. Staff also look to members to take an active interest in the ATA, volunteer for committees and give candid feedback and constructive suggestions on all ATA programs.
We have 5 people in the Virginia office and 1 person in North Carolina, who works closely on daily content matters for the website. We are pleased that our staff has impressive years of commitment to the ATA
Sharleene Cano was a new University of Virginia college graduate, when hired by the ATA 3 years ago. In search of a career path that would allow her to simultaneously serve the public, develop her education, and grow as a young professional, she feels fortunate to be at the ATA. Her work in membership and publication management, research and abstract administration, and trainees' advancement provide a great variety of responsibilities which she considers exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Sharleene is gratified to work with a society that leads in understanding and treatment of a disease that affects millions. Professionally, she is already actively involved in the American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) demonstrating her many leadership qualities in this career path.
Kelly Hoff began her non-profit career in 1998 at the Society of Nuclear Medicine while pursuing her undergraduate degree at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Being intrigued by courses in administration, database and systems management, she focused her professional efforts in those areas. She applies her organizational and technical know-how to bring the data and technology aspects of the ATA's systems into the 21st century. Kelly's experience in the association world has also enabled her to effectively manage key corporate partner relationships as part of the ATA Corporate Leadership Council team. Kelly values the opportunity to support ATA's many initiatives which make a positive difference in the lives of thyroid patients and the ATA physicians who have dedicated themselves to thyroid research, treatments, and discoveries.
Shirlyn Barger, CPA, began her work for the ATA as the auditor for Dalal & Company. She was impressed with how the Board of Directors and management governed and managed the ATA with integrity and dedication. Hired as the ATA's first CPA in 2009, she has led the way to more sophisticated accountability in all our reporting and financial aspects. The Nittany Lion Alumna left "Happy Valley" with a BS in accounting and worked for Coopers & Lybrand in Minneapolis and Washington, DC. Between the auditing gigs, she worked for several companies, was self-employed, and had three sons. She appreciates the intelligence and kindness found in the ATA staff and membership.
Adonia Calhoun Coates, CMP, came to the ATA in 2007 just as the New York hotel room block was sold out 6 weeks in advance of the annual meeting! She hit the ground running and hasn't looked back since. A seasoned professional, Adonia has over 14 years of comprehensive experience, including an earned designation of certified meeting professional (CMP). Highly people oriented, she loves engaging with members, all of ATA's various stakeholders including industry, other healthcare professionals, sister societies and vendors. A thyroid patient herself, Adonia is very passionate about thyroid disease and takes pride in contributing to the mission, goals and initiatives at the ATA.
Jane Arrington
Jane Arrington has been our web curator since 2004. She lives and works as a high school business teacher in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has an in-depth knowledge of the ATA website structure and content; and, updates information on a daily basis from requests submitted by all staff. She also maintains a rigorous attention to the website organization and user experience.
Bobbi Smith, CAE, has been in the nonprofit sector since she became the first full-time ATA administrator in 1988, when she was hired by then ATA Secretary, Dr. Leonard Wartofsky. Years later, she earned the credential of "Certified Association Executive" while working for the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy as the director of the foundation and government relations. Dr. Paul Ladenson engaged her to become the ATA's first executive director in 2001. She is proud to have continued to serve during the leadership of 3 recent Secretary/COOs: Greg Brent, Rick Kloos and John Morris. Bobbi views the ATA membership as having the highest standards of service and professionalism; demonstrating this on a daily basis through dedication of time, expertise and support to their society; which makes the ATA a rare and gratifying place to work.
I would like to express my enduring gratitude to Bobbi Smith and her team for truly outstanding service to our organization through the years.
Hossein Gharib, MD
ATA President