PLA Chapter Update: Education, Renovation

The members of the Pacific chapter of the National Lipid Association were thrilled to share in the sponsorship duties for this edition of LipidSpin with our Midwest colleagues. Through this in-depth collaborative effort, we have effectively shared our relevant experiences with the “Management of Residual Risk.” The members of our Chapter Board are truly grateful to all of the contributors who wrote articles to share their expertise and make this an informative and valuable issue of the LipidSpin.

At the beginning of March, Pacific Lipid Association (PLA) representatives – along with the Chapter Board – talked shop during a Board of Directors meeting. In spite of the continued challenge of not being able to meet in person, participants were eager to share ideas for continuing valuable educational opportunities within the Chapter, as well as elevating NLA visibility for the sake of potential new members.

Toolbox Overhaul
We had previously mentioned within the Chapter a desire to revamp a few of the tear sheets in the Clinician’s Lifestyle Modification Toolbox (CLMT), which is maintained by the NLA Practice Management Council and Nutrition Task Force. This undertaking soon took on a life of its own, and has now become a commitment to update each of the 27 tear sheets currently housed under the CLMT umbrella.

With these revisions, we hope that users will see streamlined and digestible content, all adherent to the most up-to-date and evidence-based national guidelines. Naturally, we want quality infographics to reflect this improved content, so that will be part of the overhaul, as well. Overall, we want to offer NLA members and nonmembers the best available information to facilitate the lifestyle changes which will improve their heart health.

Join the Club
Our commitment to continuing education has reached new levels as we seek to expand upon the success of the current “Lipid Journal Club” program with a proposed series of 60-minute live Lipid Journal webinars. By providing these immersive experiences, our members can take advantage of CME/CEaccredited education – and we can attract non-members in the Pacific region to the fold.

Webinar topics that were proposed by PLA Board members included: counseling ‘keto’ patients, use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing in primary care, measurement and evaluation of inflammation, addressing residual risk, lifestyle-focused treatment of metabolic
syndrome, dealing with COVID burnout, use of bempedoic acid and more.

After a lengthy discussion and debate at the last Board meeting, the PLA Board members prioritized the topic pool to three main contenders with which to start the webinar series:

• Counseling patients who choose to
follow a ketogenic diet
• Bempedoic acid - tips and tricks for
approval and safety monitoring
• CAC in primary care

We are excited to start these projects as soon as possible, and hope existing and potential members will enthusiastically become involved in the webinars and resulting Q&A sessions.

While we work to prepare for our re-entry into the physical world, the PLA members are maintaining resources and creating new educational materials in the virtual one to ensure our members have the latest in Clinical Lipidology tools at their fingertips. We look forward to trading this information with our friends and colleagues in person very soon – hopefully, in Savannah, GA, at the 2021 Scientific Sessions!

Disclosure statement:
Dr. Kirkpatrick has no financial disclosures to report.