American Thyroid Association Holds 80th Annual Meeting

Newswise — The American Thyroid Association (ATA) will hold its 80th Annual Meeting September 23-27, 2009 at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Attendees will include nationally and internationally recognized thyroid clinicians and researchers who will gather to present new research as well as treatment guidelines for thyroid diseases, the most common disorders of the endocrine system. Topics include thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, the impact of pregnancy on the thyroid and global iodine deficiency. The meeting is also designed for the worldwide community of endocrinologists, surgeons and other physicians, health care professionals and scientists who wish to broaden their knowledge of the thyroid and thyroid disorders.

Over 100 presentations, workshops and poster sessions will provide up-to-date information on thyroid research and thyroid disorder treatment. Presentations include:

* “Screening for Thyroid Disease: Defining High Risk Populations,” Sept. 25, 6:45 am* “Global Impact and Issues in Iodine Deficiency,” Sept. 24, 9:00 am* “Thyroid Nodules in Children,” Sept. 25, 9:00 am* “Future Directions in Advanced Thyroid Cancer Therapies,” Sept. 26, 6:45 am* “Australia’s Iodine Nutrition Experience: Lessons Learned,” Sept. 24, 8:15 am* “Iodine Deficiency and Chemical Exposures,” Sept. 24, 9:00 am* “Thyroid Hormones and Pregnancy: Clinical Trials Update” Sept. 25, 11:15 am* “Treating Hyperthyroidism,” Sept. 27, 8:00 am* “Treatment Guidelines for Medullary Thyroid Cancer,” Sept. 26, 9:00 am* “Management of Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer,” Sept. 26, 9:00 am* “Risks and Benefits of Anti-Thyroid Drugs,” Sept. 27, 8:00 am* “Radioiodine Therapy: Managing Side Effects,” Sept. 25, 10:15 am* “Management Issues in Thyroid Cancer,” Sept. 24, 6:45 am* “Recent Developments in Iodine Deficiency in Europe,” Sept. 24, 9:00 am

The ATA’s Van Meter Award; Paul Starr Award; Sidney H. Ingbar Distinguished Lectureship Award, Distinguished Service Award and the John B. Stanbury Award will be presented in special ceremonies during the five-day conference.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality.

A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders. The official journal “Thyroid” of the ATA is published monthly. “Clinical Thyroidology” is published online monthly for the benefit of clinicians and scientists around the world.

Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet. To further benefit patients, the ATA publishes an online journal “Clinical Thyroidology for Patients.” The Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and patient education groups: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the Graves’ Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction with the ATA annual meeting.

The 80th Annual Meeting of the ATA will be in Palm Beach, Florida, from September 23-27, 2009 at The Breakers Hotel. All registration and program information is available at http://www.thyroid.org. We welcome your participation.

ATA 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 550, Falls Church, VA 22041 * (703) 998-8890 (Fax) (703) 998-8893 * http://www.thyroid.org