2007 Scientific Sessions Largest NLA Meeting Ever

The NLA 2007 Annual Scientific Sessions were held in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 31 through June 3. The venue and weather combined to make this one of our best meetings yet.

The meeting launched on Thursday evening with the NLA-SAP Challenge, an interactive event held in a game show format. We weren't sure what would happen, as the NLA has never attempted anything like this before.

We needn't have worried - it was a smashing success. Dr Alan Brown emceed the program, hosting the expert panel, shown above from left to right: Dr Neil Stone, Dr Dean Bramlet, and Dr Eliot Brinton. The panelists selected questions from a Jeopardy!-style board, and before answering, the audience voted in teams with keypads. This combination of fun and education drew praise from attendees, who told us that they'd like to do this again. We will.

Friday's activities included the always-popular CVD Dancing workshop. Led by a pair of professional dance instructors, participants improved their cardiovascular health as well as their dance-floor moves—in preparation for Saturday's President's Dinner and Dance.

A fascinating item on the schedule was titled, "Debate—LDL: Fixed Dose vs. Titration to Target," presented by Dr Michael Davidson and Dr Christie Ballantyne. As you can see below, the Sessions were very well attended and empty seats were hard to find.

Saturday saw the changing of the guard, as NLA President James McKenney handed over leadership of the NLA to Dr Anne Goldberg. Over the past years, as the NLA has grown in size and stature, Dr Goldberg has worked at almost every level, serving on committees, boards, and NLA meeting faculties. We wish her an enjoyable and successful term.

One of the most engaging presentations on Saturday, "How Do You Impact Lifestyle Modification and Sustain Weight Loss in Practice?" was delivered by John Foreyt, PhD, who never fails to have the audience laughing with his sharp observations about our crazy food culture, in addition to his insights on the science of TLC.

Also on Saturday, the American Board of Clinical Lipidology held the 2007 Convocation Ceremony for the previous year's Diplomates. This was the second time we've held this formal event, following last year's in Boston. The guest speaker was Dr Richard Havel, who addressed the subject of Dr John Gofman's groundbreaking work in the field of clinical lipidology. To the accompaniment of a live chamber music trio in the background, each of the Diplomates was announced, then received by the ABCL board and presented with a honor's cord and diploma of achievement. Congratulations, ABCL Class of '06!

The Poster Session held Saturday afternoon was a competition for the NLA Young Investigator Award. We had an excellent response to our call for posters, and Dr Anthony Busti led a strong contingent, one of whom, Amy Bain, PharmD, won the award. Below, Dr Virgil Brown evaluates a poster in the competition.

Our support for this year's meeting was outstanding, and the exhibitors' hall was filled to capacity. We thank our sponsors for helping to make this year's event a success.

Taking a moment during the exhibitors' reception, Christopher Seymour and Nicole Woodsmall of the NLA meet with members Beth Jackson, MSN, and Randy Burden, PharmD.

Our thanks to everyone who participated in this year's Scientific Sessions. See you next year in Seattle!