From the NLA President: Important Goals, Visions for the Coming Year

I would like to welcome everyone to the Potpourri Edition of LipidSpin – brought to you this year as a joint effort between the Northeast and Southeast Lipid Associations. This is the first LipidSpin edition that I have the good fortune of introducing to you as President of the National Lipid Association. I consider this opportunity a great honor, and hope to spend this year building upon the strong foundation established by my predecessors as well as creating substantial pathways for our organization’s future.

It is important to acknowledge the NLA is at an unprecedented time in its history. However, I firmly believe a return to our core values and adherence to the goals of the NLA Mission (Professionalism; Public Service; Multidisciplinary Approach; Continuous Growth and Development; Business Ethics; Cooperation) will be our most effective strategy for moving ahead successfully.

I would like to share the four goals I have established for my term as President:

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality

Since starting as President, we have added a goal for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality. There is no room for discrimination based on race, in addition to ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability bias, or veteran status in any corner of our society. We are building a task force to review the NLA, its existing membership, and ensure that the NLA prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and equality in all of our efforts.

Tear Sheet/Infographic Improvement

Clinicians need the best available tools to help them understand their care plans. This arsenal can – and should – include effective tear sheets that include quality infographics and digestible information adherent to current evidence-based national guidelines.

Promotion of Professional Teams in Lipid Management

A team-based approach when it comes to cardiovascular risk reduction is valuable to our patients, colleagues, and healthsystems. Nobody focuses on the power of a multidisciplinary approach like the NLA. This commitment is critical for treating patients with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. We will continue to develop strategies and promote the value of interprofessional teams within the National Lipid Association.

Focus on an Important Care Gap

I would like to focus efforts on providing better guidance for care of older primary prevention patients. Providing expert opinions and interpreting best available evidence in older patients is a role I feel is well within the scope of the National Lipid Association. And I am confident that Lipid Specialists are the professionals who can help to fill this particular care gap.

I maintain every confidence these goals will come to fruition in 2020–2021, and I am excited to be a part of it! In the meantime, there are several interesting things that have already occured since I have taken on this new role. I am happy to announce the National Lipid Associations continued partnership with the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. With this joint venture comes the endorsement of a joint policy statement expanding access to pharmacists. As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be important as it will allow for greater access to testing via pharmacists and pharmacies, and hopefully vaccination.

Lastly, although we are unable to meet in person this year, I am excited we have been able to organize a series of virtual learning and engagement opportunities for the rest of 2020. During September - National Cholesterol Education Month - we hosted our first-ever LipidPALOOZA. While maintaining safe social distances, our members enjoyed everything from CME activities to social events and promotional expert theaters - at no cost.

We will also hold our first-ever virtual Scientific Sessions on December 10-12, 2020. The meeting will boast a robust scientific agenda, including continuing education, abstracts, late-breaking science, and our pre-conference courses - Foundations of Lipidology and Masters in Lipidology. We will also host our virtual opportunities to engage with industry and numerous social and celebratory events. Registration will be $299. Stay tuned to lipid.org for more information.

Thank you once again for the honor and opportunity to be NLA President in 2020-2021. Please be sure to stay informed of what we are doing by following my monthly President’s videos that will provide additional organizational updates.