Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Still time to make plans to attend 2010 Vasculitis Patient Symposium

http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/2010vasculitis-symposium

Symposium Logo
 
First Time in Western USA, Leading Vasculitis Experts and Patients to Assemble for Vasculitis Foundation Symposium
 
All Star Vasculitis Symposium, in Long Beach, California
 
July 30 - August 1, 2010
 
 Register Today!
 
 Excellent Opportunity to Learn About the Latest Research Findings and Treatment Recommendations for Over 15 Forms of Vasculitis
 
I attended vasculitis symposiums in Cleveland and Baltimore. I found them both to be very organized, educational, and informative. Seeing so many volunteers and doctors give so much of their time, made it very gratifying for me. I understood that a lot of people care and I am not alone in my vasculitis journey. -- Mercy LaVilla, diagnosed with PAN in 1999, remission in 2005
 
Wealth of Knowledge in One Place
 
The All Star Vasculitis Symposium will be held July 30 - August 1, 2010 at the beautiful Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California. This is the first Vasculitis Foundation symposium held in the western USA. 
 

Five Reasons to Attend
 
1. Benefit from the knowledge and experiences of attendees at the world's largest meeting of vasculitis patients, family members and medical experts

2. Expand your disease knowledge by learning about treatment advances, research, quality-of-life issues, and integrative medicine 
 
3. Connect with other vasculitis patients and families for fun and fellowship

4. More than 35 sessions covering all 15 forms of vasculitis, presented by world-renowned experts

5. Network opportunities bring hope, encouragement, and empowerment

Still Not Convinced? 
See the list below of presentations and speakers scheduled to date.
 

General Sessions 

Vasculitis 101 - Overview of Vasculitis and the Individual Diseases
Introduction:  Vasculitis, a family of diseases, how do they relate to each other? Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Director, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine

Churg Strauss Syndrome, Microscopic Polyangiitis, Wegener's granulomatosis 
Luis Felipe Flores-Suárez, MD, Head, Primary Systemic Vasculitides Clinic
Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias


Giant cell (Temporal) Arteritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Takayasu's Arteritis, Central nervous System Vasculitis
Cornelia Weyand, MD, PhD, Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University

Cryoglobulinemia, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Polyarteritis nodosa, Secondary VasculitidesPhilip Seo, MD, Co-Director, The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

Ask the Experts Q&A Panel
Drs. Merkel, Flores-Suárez, Weyand and Seo
  
Vasculitis and Our Pediatric Patients and Their Parents 
Join parents and young patients as our pediatric vasculitis experts discuss the management and most current treatment options for younger patients. Attendees will be able to ask questions, meet other parents/patients, share experiences, concerns, and what works for them.
Andreas Reiff, MD, Head, Division of Rheumatology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
David Balfe, MD, Medical Director, Pulmonary Stepdown Unit, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 
New and Emerging Therapies in Vasculitis
Welcome and Introductions

Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Director, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine

Understanding Immunology for the Patient with Vasculitis
Paul A. Monach, MD, PhD, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine

What's Happening Now in Vasculitis Clinical Research:  The Vasculitis Research Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC), the European Vasculitis Study Group (EUVAS) and other Vasculitis Research Programs 
Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Director, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine 
Recently Completed Clinical Trials in Vasculitis and Implications for all Patients: 
Rituximab (RAVE Trial results)
Ulrich Specks, MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic
 
Other Therapeutic Advances 
Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, Director, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research  
Ask the Experts Q & A Panel
Drs. Langford, Merkel, Monach and Specks

Small Vessel Vasculitis
For attendees interested in Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, Churg Strauss syndrome, relapsing polychondritis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, polyarteritis nodosa, cryoglobulinemia, vasculitis associated with connective tissue diseases), central nervous vasculitis, Behcet's disease, and other small vessel diseases.

Standard of Care Therapy for Small Vessel Vasculitides
Paul A. Monach, MD, PhD, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine 

Dealing with the Chronic Medical Effects of Small Vessel Vasculitides 
Philip Seo, MD, Co-Director, The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center 
Ask the Experts Q & A Panel Drs. Seo and Monach
Large Vessel Vasculitis For attendees interested in Takayasu's arteritis and Giant cell arteritis (Temporal arteritis)

Standard of Care Therapy for Large Vessel Vasculitides 
Cornelia Weyand, MD, PhD, Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University 
Dealing with the Chronic Medical Effects of Large Vessel Vasculitides
Curry Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah

Ask the Experts Q & A Panel Drs. Weyand and Koening

Breakout Sessions Ear/Nose/Throat in Vasculitis 
Robert S. Lebovics, MD, F.A.C.S., Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, New York City, New York
Matthew L. Finerman, MD, Otosurgical Group, Medical Clinic, UCLA
 
Family, Friends and Caregivers Support Meeting (please, no patients) 
Donna Benton and Claudia Ellano-Ota, LCSW
Orange Caregiver Resource Center, California, St. Jude Brain Injury Network


Gastrointestinal Issues in Vasculitis 
Kenneth Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 
Kidneys in Vasculitis 
Patrick Nachman, MD, University of North Carolina Kidney Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Ramnath Dukkipati, MD, Medical Director, Interventional Nephrology, Harbor-UCLA 

Pharmacology 
Christine Vu, Pharm.D, Department of Pharmacy Services, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 
Assembling Your Medical Records/Seeking a Second Opinion 
Megan E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University
Carol Langford, MD, MHS, Director, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research 
Lung Issues for the Vasculitis Patient (asthma, chronic breathlessness, respiratory infections) Ulrich Specks, MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic
Vasculitis Spanish Language Session 
Luis Felipe Flores-Suárez, MD, Head, Primary Systemic Vasculitides Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias 
Building a Team:  Patient and Physician Communication 
Sharon Chung, MD, Division of Rheumatology, University of California - San Francisco
Grace Eisen, RN, Lake City, Michigan, VF Board of Directors 
Eyes in Vasculitis (inflammatory eye disease, low vision, cataracts, glaucoma, eye health)James A. Garrity, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic 
Lung Issues for the Vasculitis Patient (asthma, chronic breathlessness, respiratory infections) 
Ulrich Specks, MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic 
Stress Management: Coping Skills and Strategies 
Lisa Graziano, MA, Executive Director, Prader-Willi California Foundation
Understanding Lab Tests for Patients with Vasculitis 
Patrick Nachman, MD, UNC Kidney Center, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 
Reproductive Health Issues for Women and Men with Vasculitis: Fertility and Pregnancy 
Megan Clowse, MD, MPH, Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University
Getting Involved in Vasculitis Patient Advocacy 
Jane Dion, Founder and President, Churg Strauss Syndrome Association
Cassie Keane, President, Vasculitis Foundation Board of Directors
Cindy Webber, Co-Chair, Education and Awareness Council
 
Peripheral Neuropathy Associated with VasculitisAnnabel Wang, MD, Neurology, Neuromuscular Disorders, University of California - Irvine
 
Vasculitis Medication Review (dosing/toxicities)Kenneth Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic Vasculitis: Possible mechanisms. Role of autoimmunityNabih I. Abdou, MD, PhD, FACP, Center for Rheumatic Disease and Allergy
Disability and Workplace Issues for Vasculitis Patients
TaMiko Crockett, Public Affairs Specialist, Tri Counties Area, Social Security Administration
Essie Landry, Public Affairs Specialist, Tri Counties Area, Social Security Administration

 
Group Discussions With Faculty 
Behcet's Disease, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki Disease 
Curry Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah
Philip Seo,
MD, Co-Director, The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
 
Churg Strauss syndrome
Carol Langford, MD, MHS, Director, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research
Ulrich Specks, MD, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic 
 
 
Giant cell arteritis (Temporal arteritis)/Takayasu's Arteritis Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Director, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of
Medicine
Cornelia Weyand, MD, Ph.D, Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University 

Microscopic polyangiitis
Sharon Chung, MD, Division of Rheumatology, University of California - San Francisco
Megan E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University
Patrick Nachman, MD, UNC Kidney Center, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 

Pediatrics Andreas Reiff, MD, Head, Division of Rheumatology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
David Balfe, MD, Medical Director, Pulmonary Stepdown Unit, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 

Polyarteritis nodosa/Cryoglobulinemia Eric Hoy, Ph.D, MS, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Ramnath Dukkipati, MD, Medical Director, Interventional Nephrology, Harbor-UCLA 

Wegener's granulomatosis
Nabih I. Abdou, MD, PhD, FACP, Center for Rheumatic Disease and Allergy
James A. Garrity, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic
Robert S. Lebovics, MD, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, St. Roosevelt Hospital
Paul A. Monach, MD, PhD, Vasculitis Center, Boston University School of Medicine 

 
 
And That's Not All!
Keynote Address: Vasculitis - Where We've Been, Where We're Headed Gary S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Director of Senior Staff Matters, Professional Staff Affairs Office, Cleveland Clinic 
 
Disease-Specific Round Table Discussion Sessions 
Moderators: VF Education and Awareness Council 
 
Young Adults Icebreaker (ages 16-25, patients only) 
Moderator:  Kim Golbuff, MBA
Motivational Presentation: Don't Stop Short of YOUR Miracle
Julie Garton-Good, DREI, C-CREC, Port Saint Lucie, Florida
 
Disease Group Dinners
To be announced 
 
 
Have Some Fun! 
 
All Star Recognition, Celebration Banquet and Hollywood Walk of Fame! Tonight we're putting on sequins, tiaras, glitter and glitz and celebrating! Join us on the VF red carpet for an evening of food, fun and entertainment. Participate in the costume contest and win a prize. Experience the paparazzi and adoring fans. Come as your favorite movie or TV star or TV doctor!  (Participation is completely voluntary! Come to have fun.)  
Long Beach and Southern California Attractions 
Over 100 area restaurants. Attractions include the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Queen Mary, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Los Angeles. Plan some vacation fun while you are here.
 
 
Learn More and Register 
 
Please go to http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/2010vasculitis-symposium for detailed information and to register. Seating is limited, please register as soon as possible. Registration fee includes Saturday and Sunday continental breakfast and lunch, Friday night dessert reception, Saturday night banquet, and daily refreshment breaks.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

NMVasculitis Meeting for June 2010 will be at The Range Cafe on Menaul

Our May meeting at the Hilton Cantina was great, because I got to meet with Dennis Wiita. We shared some stories and some "patient secrets" and talked about the upcoming 2010 Vasculitis Patient Symposium, among other things. Dennis is a really great guy and takes his condition in stride. When we met, he had been enjoying a stretch of pretty good days, so we wish that to continue. It is always a pleasure to spend time with Dennis.

The Cantina was okay, but not the cozy corner I am really looking for. So those present decided together that in June we are moving the meeting to The Range Cafe, located on Menaul just about a half block East of University.

Also, I will bring plenty of brochures. I hope lots of you will come and stock up for the summer. Take them to your doctors, to your hospital appointments, and share them with your friends and family. Many times, people only take one copy. Feel free to take a dozen, or more if you think you can share them to spread the word. I have plenty right now, and one of my goals is to get rid of them so they can be out there, doing their work of spreading awareness. Will you please help me? I look forward to seeing as many of you as can come to the June Meeting.

(Those of you who are out of town, let me know you are willing to help and I will mail some brochures to you.)

The Range cafe is a long time favorite place of mine, and I have held successful meetings there for other non-profit groups. So, I know it will be good. If it works out for NMVasculitis, then I would like to settle down here for a while and focus on encouraging more people to attend the meetings. If you do not want dinner, then just come have a drink and maybe a slice if pie. The pies at the Range Cafe are fresh and very good.

As always, the event starts at 6PM and lasts at least one hour, but can go longer if we are having a good time.

Range Cafe - 2200 Menaul Blvd. NE
The Range Café
2200 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM
(505) 888-1660

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week, The Range serves ordinary food, made extraordinarily well. New Mexico favorites such as blue corn enchiladas, burritos and award winning huevos rancheros are offered along side classic American favorites like Tom's Meatloaf and Chicken Fried Steak. Our in-house bakery serves up some of the best desserts in town in an eclectic, family atmosphere. See our menu section for our complete listing of The Range family favorites.

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