Who We Are
Mission - To enhance the practice of lipid management in clinical medicine. Consistent with the mission statement, the National Lipid Association's goals are:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The NLA will promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the organization. - Professionalism
The NLA will enhance medical knowledge, clinical skills, and related business activities that provide for more effective patient outcomes. Promoting and sustaining the highest ethical standards will be an essential component of these activities. - Public Service
The NLA will enhance efforts to reduce death and disability related to disorders of lipid metabolism in patients. - Multidisciplinary Approach
The NLA will strive to provide professional activities that serve the members of the NLA. All related health professionals will be able to join, train and be represented to the scope of their practice. - Continuous Growth and Development
The NLA will promote responsible outreach to all regions of the country to make available the benefits of the NLA in every community. - Business Ethics
The NLA will promote its activities with the utmost respect to acceptable business practices, ensuring all interactions will be undertaken in a responsible and ethical fashion. - Cooperation
The NLA will be supportive of other organizations with common purposes and values and will seek active interactions with such organizations.
Lipid Specialist - A healthcare professional certified by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology (ABCL) or Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology (ACCL) specializing in the identification and management of dyslipidemia and related metabolic disorders which lead to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other morbidities.
History - The NLA was created out of the success established by the Southeast Lipid Association (SELA), which was formed in 1997 by a group of pioneering lipid researchers and clinicians from the Southeastern United States. By December 2000, the SELA Board of Directors voted for a national association to be formed to promote specialization in the area of Clinical Lipidology.
The Board felt strongly that regional societies similar to SELA should be established to expand its education-focused agenda to a wider number of lipid specialists representing all areas of the country.
These regional entities would form the governance of the "National Lipid Association." In 2002, the National Lipid Association was officially incorporated in Florida as a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership organization. Since then, the NLA has formed a total of five regional chapters representing more than 2,000 members from across the United States (Southeast Chapter, Northeast Chapter, Midwest Chapter, Southwest Chapter, Pacific Chapter).
Related Organizations
The NLA partners with a number of domestic and international organizations to accomplish our shared goals.
Leadership and Chapters
The National Lipid Association (NLA) is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary medical society focused on enhancing the practice of lipid management in clinical medicine. The NLA represents more than 2,000 members in the United States and provides continuing medical education for physicians and other healthcare professionals to advance professional development and attain certification in clinical lipidology.
Bylaws and Administrative Policies
Proposed and current Bylaws. Policy and Position statements are listed here, as well as consensus recommendations. Any appropriately credentialed health professional that is engaged in the treatment of patients with lipid disorders or involved in research or educational activities relating.
Past NLA Presidents

2002 — 2004
W. Virgil Brown, MD, FNLA

2004 — 2005
John R. Guyton, MD, FNLA

2005 — 2006
Peter H. Jones, MD, FNLA

2006 — 2007
James M. McKenney, PharmD, FNLA

2007 — 2008
Anne C. Goldberg, MD, FNLA

2008 — 2009
Thomas P. Bersot, MD, PhD, FNLA

2009 — 2010
Vera A. Bittner, MD, MSPH, FNLA

2010 — 2011
Michael H. Davidson, MD, FNLA

2011 — 2012
Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, CLS, FNLA

2012 — 2013
Peter P. Toth, MD, PHD, FNLA

2013 — 2014
Matthew K. Ito, PharmD, CLS, FNLA

2014 — 2015
Terry A. Jacobson, MD, FNLA

2015 — 2016
Carl E. Orringer, MD, FNLA

2016 — 2017
Joyce L. Ross, MSN, CRNP, CLS, FNLA
2017 — 2018
James A. Underberg, MD, MS, FNLA
2018 — 2019
Alan S. Brown, MD, FNLA
2019 — 2020
Antonio M. Gotto, MD, DPhil, FNLA
This page was last updated: Sep 10, 2022