Secretary’s Update, February 2015
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| John C. Morris, M.D. ATA Secretary/ Chief Operating Officer |
MTC and PTC Satellite Symposium - March 4 in San Diego
The final touches are being added for our Satellite Symposium at the Endocrine Society meeting, highlighting ATA guidelines on Medullary and Pediatric Thyroid Cancers. It will be presented on Wednesday, March 4 starting at noon in the San Diego Convention Center and promises to be a great success, as was our symposium at the 2014 Endocrine Society annual meeting. This year's program, which has been organized by the members of the two recent guidelines task forces, including chairs Sam Wells, Andy Bauer, and Steve Waguespack will be terrific . I hope to see everyone there.
ITC
The abstract submission site for October's 15th International Thyroid Congress (ITC) in Lake Buena Vista will be opening in early April . Online housing is open now and meeting registration will open in mid to late April. Rebecca Bahn and her program organizing committee are finalizing an outstanding scientific program for all, which will include world renowned experts in thyroid diseases to speak to our world-wide attendees, in the shadow of EPCOT® at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels on Disney World property. Although the ITC happens every 5 years, because we (i.e. ATA) are the hosts this year and the venue will be unique and exciting, I feel safe to say that this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the newest and best thyroid-related science and medicine among colleagues from around the globe. Not-to-be-missed!
Nominations
This is the time of year that we begin the process of identifying and selecting candidates for officers of ATA for this fall's election. The first step is to receive nominations for board of director positions and president from our members. Please take a few minutes to think about those members who you feel will be good leaders for our organization and submit their names for the nominating committee to consider as candidates. The nominating committee will be deliberating upon your suggestions later this spring and submitting the slate for ATA Board approval in June.
It is also time to nominate your colleagues for ATA awards. In the year of the ITC, we have only one lectureship award – the Van Meter. Consider nominating a deserving colleague for the Distinguished Service Award and the Stanbury Pathophysiology award, which will be presented at the ITC. We are fortunate to be able to give highly deserved recognition for the outstanding work of our members, in various areas of activity. A list and summary of these awards, as well as a link to the nomination procedure, can be found here .
Strategic planning
Finally, the Board of Directors of ATA, along with ATA staff and chairs of several ATA committees has just completed a strategic planning retreat that was highly productive and exciting. The document that summarizes the plan, which was the product of this meeting, is currently being finalized and will be circulated to all members in the upcoming weeks. In its current draft version it includes 4 major areas of strategic focus: 1. Catalyzing meaningful and fundable thyroid research; 2. Promoting ATA visibility globally; 3. Enhancing ATA's interactions with thyroid patients and patient groups; 4. Increasing ATA's financial resources. You will be seeing and hearing more of this as the BOD completes its deliberations and formulates action plans towards these goals. It is very likely that you and the committees on which you serve will be asked to help accomplish tasks that are part of the ATA strategic plan over the next 3 years.
That's all for now. Personally, I am looking forward to spring and warmer weather, which is only 2 more months away for Minnesota! See you at the symposium in sunny San Diego!
John C. Morris, MD
Secretary/Chief Operating Officer