|
|
President's Message
Ready? Set? Go! NACCT Is Coming!
Alan Woolf, MD, MPH, FAACT, FACMT |
Are you ready for this? Yes! NACCT is what we look forward to and are waiting for every year. The North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) is coming to the Cosmopolitan Resort Hotel in Las Vegas in October and it promises to be a spectacular event! The 'Cosmo' is a uniquely entertaining venue and we expect a record number of attendees this year. Make your reservations now, because the stylish hotel rooms at this resort (a block of which are set aside at a special convention rate) are sure to fill up quickly. And this year we have arranged for two special 'early bird' meeting registration rates spaced a month or two apart. Take advantage of the earliest special rate to save the most money.
The NACCT Planning Committee, led by Elizabeth Scharman, with representatives from AACT, AAPCC, and ACMT, has once again put together a premier educational program that you will not want to miss. There will be so many highlights. Here is just a sampling.
Let's start with the AACT Pre-Meeting Symposium, to be held on October 2nd. Bob Hoffman has again brought together an outstanding faculty to lead a day-long authoritative discussion of the latest advances in antidotes for a variety of toxic emergencies. Grant Cave from New Zealand will discuss new findings in lipid emulsion therapy, Leslie Boyer from Tucson, Arizona will discuss a new scorpion anti-venom, Silas Smith of NYC will discuss treatments for chemotherapy-related toxicity; Steve Curry from Phoenix will update us on the use of carnitine therapy in certain hepatic diseases; Kirk Cumpston from Richmond, Virginia will review the new agent: icatibant; David Jang from NYC will describe new uses for methylene blue in the treatment of shock; Gerry Boss from San Diego will review the status of cyanide antidotes; Mark Ghannoum from Montreal will discuss management of contrast-associated nephropathy; and Bob himself will update attendees on approaches to the treatment of excessive bleeding as a side-effect of use of the newer anti-coagulants. What a line-up! You cannot afford to miss it.
NACCT itself will be full of extraordinary events. Just to point out a few highlights. Our keynote speaker this year is James Blumenstock, who is the Chief Program Officer, Public Health Practice for the Association of Public and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). His topic is very timely given the current challenging economic and political climate our country is facing: "Partnership Opportunities for Poison Centers & Public Health." Barry Rumack will present the lectureship associated with the AACT Career Achievement Award on October 4th. His topic will be "Acetaminophen: a Perspective on the Past, Present and Future". This promises to be an unforgettable presentation by a true champion of clinical toxicology. The AACT Symposium, to be presented on the morning of October 5th, will offer a unique opportunity to hear another giant in the field of heavy metals toxicology, Joseph Graziano review the history of and discuss the latest developments regarding a tragic mass epidemic that has been unfolding in West Bengal over the past 20 years, in his talk "Poison in the well: exposure, consequences, and remediation of arsenic in Bangladesh".
The best in new scientific research is presented in the eight scheduled Scientific Abstract Platform " Poster Sessions. Mark Kostic, Chair of the Abstracts Review Committee, tells me a record number of abstracts of original case reports and investigations were submitted this year. You will see and hear the cutting edge of new directions in clinical toxicology being explored worldwide at NACCT. I always come away from this meeting with about 5 new ideas for research projects, based on the intriguing topics I hear about.
And I haven't even mentioned the incredible perennial events that are so worthwhile, from the Toxicology History Society abstracts presentation, the hands-on toxicology simulation exhibit presented by Medical Education Technologies Inc., the Quiz Bowl competition, the Poison Centers' Public Education 3-day track, 'Articles You May Have Missed', the AACT's Trainees Research Symposium, the 'Year In Toxicology', a variety of symposia sponsored by our sister societies: the CAPCC, AAPCC, ACMT, EAPCCT and APAMT, and on and on and on!
And by the way, stick around on October 7 and 8th to take part in the Advanced Hazmat Life Support (AHLS) course co-sponsored by the AACT in partnership with the AHLS Administrative Group, led by Frank Walter and his faculty. Here is a golden opportunity to update your knowledge of topics in emergency preparedness.
Finally you've got to spend at least 5 glorious days in Las Vegas, this American tourist magnet! The Cosmo Resort is conveniently located centrally right on the Las Vegas Strip, steps away from such sights as the Bellagio Resort, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and Harrah's. Where else can you rub shoulders with 2-3 Elvis impersonators at any time of day or night, just walking down the street! The gambling is there for those who dare. The shows are terrific, with acts ranging from dancers to magicians to vocalists. And the town has some unique sights and sounds, along with spectacular shopping and world-class restaurants.
So mix a little business with pleasure this year. Come to NACCT and renew old friendships, make new ones, hear all you need to know in clinical toxicology, and enjoy a wonderful time. The meeting brochure and instructions for reservations and meeting registration can be found at the AACT website: www.clintox.org. Ready? Set? Go!
|
|
|
 |
|
DISCLAIMER: All material available on www.clintox.org is for informational purposes only, and
is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified
healthcare provider. All information is observation-only, and has not been supported by
scientific studies or clinical trials unless otherwise stated. Every effort has been made to
ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to
that effect. The use of the site and its content is at your own risk.
|
|
