President's Update, July 2014

Hossein Gharib, M.D. ATA President

Dear Colleagues,

On Friday, June 20, 2014 the American Thyroid Association presented the "Guidelines on Thyroid Nodules & Differentiated Thyroid Cancer- Highlights, Consensus, and Controversies" as a satellite symposium at the Endocrine Society meeting in Chicago. The symposium, developed by Dr. Bryan Haugen, chair of the guidelines task force and ATA Past President, together with an outstanding faculty comprised of task force members, discussed the highlights of the newly revised guidelines (anticipated publication in Q1 2015) emphasizing what's new, what's changed and what's important in thyroid cancer diagnosis and management.

The guidelines preview and update was a very successful meeting, with over 500 practicing endocrinologists and endocrine fellows packing the large auditorium. We actually had to limit registration because of the room capacity; the majority of those registered were not ATA members, providing a spotlight on ATA expertise in developing guidelines to Endocrine Society members and attendees, both domestic and international, that was encouraged and enhanced by the ICE/ENDO venue. The immediate feedback was highly encouraging with many positive verbal comments on the format, scientific quality, and panel discussions. As always, the excellent work of ATA staff was crucial to the success of the event.

The ATA Board of Directors also convened on June 20 in Chicago. The Board received reports by the President, the Secretary, and all Committee Chairs. Dr. Greg Randolph, ATA Treasurer, gave his report on finance and budget. I am pleased to announce that, thanks to the good work of our treasurer and the Finance & Audit Committee, ATA financial state remains quite sound.

On behalf of other members of the program committee as well as his co-chair, Dr. Fred Wondisford, who could not be present, Dr. Mike Tuttle presented to the Board an update on the 84th annual meeting program in Coronado. The program is spectacular, offering cutting-edge science, current advances, as well as controversies, in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases. I know it will be well-received.

Registration for our annual meeting has already started and is moving along nicely. The abstract deadline is passed and we have a 20% increase over last year in abstract submissions. Our trainee program will attract many young fellows, and will start with the full day and run through Saturday. May I suggest you register early for our annual meeting and for the Hotel del Coronado.

Wishing you and your family a pleasant and peaceful summer.

Hossein Gharib, MD
ATA President