Elizabeth N. Pearce, MD, MSc President, American Thyroid Association

President's Update
August 2019

Greetings! Summer is clearly drawing to a close -- the days are getting shorter, schools are about to start, and the ATA Program Committee is reviewing short call abstracts. We are getting close to the annual meeting (October 30-November 3 at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago). If you have not registered, it is not yet too late. As you make your travel arrangements, note that this year it should really be worthwhile to stay all the way through Sunday morning, which will feature the perennial favorite tumor board (moderated by Mimi Hu) as well as a joint European Thyroid Association, British Thyroid Association, and ATA symposium, Evidence Based Use of T3 + T4 Combinations taking place simultaneously in Chicago and London, and co-chaired by Jacqueline Jonklaas and Colin Dayan.

The annual meeting program, co-chaired by Antonio Di Cristofano and Mona Sabra, will also showcase plenary lectures from Dr. Gil Mor, speaking about Pregnancy – A Unique Immunological and Microbial Condition, and Dr Terry Fry, speaking about CART Cell Therapy in Blood Malignancies. The Clark T. Sawin Historical Vignette this year is titled Women in Thyroidology: The Power of Scientific Kangaroo Leaps – Paradigm Shifting Scientific Contributions. It will be moderated by Rebecca Bahn and will focus on the work of two truly remarkable women thyroidologists, Deborah Doniach and Gabriela Morreale de Escobar. Medical, surgical, and ethical considerations for the care of patients with anaplastic cancer – a preview of the upcoming revised anaplastic cancer guideline – will be highlighted at the Arthur Bauman Clinical Symposium.

Work is underway to start implementing elements of the ATA's new strategic plan. Areas of focus in the plan include goals around increasing diversity/inclusivity; clinical, scientific, and research excellence; primary thyroid health education and advocacy resources; and operational, fiscal, and staffing excellence. Prior to the annual meeting, each of the ATA's committees is being asked to consider how its work can further these goals. At the opening of the annual meeting, there will be a short session to introduce the strategic plan to all attendees. As part of the annual work of President Elect Martha Zeiger, and in particular following the strategic planning meeting, there will likely be some realignments of the current list of committees and task forces. We anticipate starting a new task force (which likely will eventually become a standing committee) related to diversity and inclusion. We may also be eliminating some committees or task forces whose work has largely been completed, or can be managed without a formal committee structure. All current committees will be meeting on Wednesday, October 30, just before the annual meeting.

Please remember to vote in the ATA elections by Monday, September 16. ATA members should have received an individual link to the ballot by email. Election results will announced at the Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

I am delighted to announce that the Ridgway Legacy endowment, which supports the annual trainee conference at the annual meeting, has now achieved full funding. Huge thanks to all of those who have donated. Fundraising for the new Samuel Refetoff Fund, which is intended to support trainees and young investigators, to support ATA research awards, and to support the resistance to thyroid hormone symposium is now underway. You can make your own donation at https://www.thyroid.org/donate/.

In 2020, there will not be an annual ATA meeting, since the International Thyroid Congress will take place in Xi'an, China from September 8-13. However, mark your calendars now for two spring meetings. The first is a satellite symposium, Personalized Approach to Thyroid Disorders, at the Endocrine Society annual meeting. This will take place in San Francisco on March 27, and will be co-chaired by Laura Boucai and Francesco Celi. The second, a stand-alone spring meeting, will take place at the Westin New York Times Square, New York, NY from May 28-30. This meeting is titled Controversies in Thyroidology, and is being co-chaired by Whitney Goldner and Kepal Patel.

Finally, although Executive Director Bobbi Smith cannot truly be replaced, the search for her successor is currently getting underway, with a task force spearheaded by John Morris.

President, American Thyroid Association