Who We Are

Mission - To enhance the science and practice of lipidology and promote optimal cardiometabolic health. 

Consistent with the mission statement, the National Lipid Association's operating principles are:​

• Health Equity
  The NLA will promote health equity 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.
• Science
  The NLA will provide a platform to highlight gaps in scientific knowledge and to report on evolving and future needs in the related sciences.
• 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).