From the NLA President: Planning For the Future

After a successful 2014, the National Lipid Association is poised for an even better 2015. We are consistently seeking ways to improve our educational programs and professional development opportunities. We want to continue to be the voice for Clinical Lipidology.

One of the ways we do this is by conducting a biennial Strategic Planning Meeting where the NLA Leadership meets to discuss the NLA’s vision for the future and steps required to successfully get there. This year’s Strategic Planning Meeting was held in Orlando, Fla., Feb 7–8, and proved to be a tremendous success.

During the meeting, important initiatives and ideas in Education, Practice Management, Lipid Certification, Publications, Position Statements, Advocacy, and Membership Services were discussed and new plans set forth for the future of the organization.

The recommendations discussed during the planning meeting will be brought before the NLA Board for consideration. I think all will be encouraged and excited by our plans for progress.

In addition to our strategic planning recommendations, the annual meeting will be an excellent opportunity to enhance your scope of practice with cutting-edge topics that include:

• Recent Guidelines and Treatment Recommendations
• Novel Targets and Emerging Therapies
• Treatment Strategies for High Risk Populations
• Risk Assessment, Statin Safety, and Patient Adherence
• Management Strategies and Controversies in Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity
• Special Interest Workshops on Pediatric Dyslipidemia, Women’s Issues, and Complex Cases

For more information on the Annual Scientific Sessions and to register, visit lipid.org/sessions.

Please also keep in mind that the Fall Clinical Lipid Update, which is hosted by the Northeast and Southeast chapters, will take place Sept. 18–20, 2015, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. Check lipid.org/fallclu for ongoing updates.

Another important project to keep in mind is the release of Part 1 and Part 2 of the National Lipid Association’s Recommendations for Patient-Centered Management of Dyslipidemia. The full and expanded version of Part 1 is scheduled to appear in the March/April issue of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, and Part 2 is scheduled to be released around the time of the annual meeting.

In addition, look out for two new NLA publications in 2015. The new CLM-SAP on Guidelines in Clinical Lipidology: Concepts and Controversies edited by Carl E. Orringer, MD, FACC, FNLA, and the 2015 NLA Annual Summary of Clinical Lipidology edited by Harold E. Bays, MD, FTOS, FNLA. The NLA Summary of Clinical Lipidology will be updated each year and will include any new developments in the science or practice of Clinical Lipidology.

Lastly, you may have seen several emails announcing the NLA’s new Membership Recruitment Competition. If your chapter recruits the most new members by May 15, 2015, every member of that chapter who is also attending the annual meeting will have all-day access to a private lounge with free wi-fi, soft drinks, and snacks. If you want your chapter to win, make sure you reach out to your colleagues who are not NLA members yet and tell them why they should join the NLA.

To request membership and marketing materials, email Membership Manager at membership@lipid.org. Visit lipid.org/competition2015 for more information and to see the chapter currently in the lead. This is your chance to put peer-to-peer recruiting to the test and be a positive voice for the National Lipid Association and help us grow like never before!

I hope to see you all at our upcoming annual and regional meetings and appreciate your continued support of the NLA and the field of Clinical Lipidology.