Letter from the SWLA President: New Horizons, New Possibilities

Visionary. Pioneer. Trailblazer. Inventor. Innovator. Boundary pusher. Those who push past what is for what can be.

Pushing Boundaries, the theme for this edition of LipidSpin, was inspired and informed by our members and members of the lipid community as we collectively move past a time of challenges, separation, and limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe we now have an opportunity for expansion and growth that is clearly evident in our specialty of lipidology. 

As I thought about what pushing boundaries means to me, I was reminded of the legend of Pele, the goddess of creation and destruction from Hawaiian mythology. According to legend, Pele resides in the Mauna Loa volcano and is credited for creating the Hawaiian islands with her fiery passion using “liquid fire”, the combined elements of earth and fire. 

Similarly, the passion we have for what we do combined with new science and innovation provides us with unique tools to move forward and create something different than anything we have done before.  

For me personally, implementing novel therapies based on new science has ignited a passion to care for my patients in innovative ways. Likewise, patients seem open to learning about and embracing these new horizons in cardiovascular disease prevention. 

I think you will find the two elements of passion and science in this edition of LipidSpin. We have articles highlighting new research and ways of delivering care, as well as clinicians whose passion for their work push boundaries in the ever expanding field of lipidology. 

I feel honored to serve as president of the Southwest Lipid Association at this time and to connect with so many who are making a real difference in their respective communities and specialities. The SWLA chapter, like the NLA, is a diverse membership united in our common passion for lipidology and the prevention of ASCVD. We have highlighted many of our members' activities and achievements in this issue. Our chapter members' enthusiasm for connection and participation has been evident in their collaboration with our colleagues and other members of the NLA, evidenced by the journal clubs, as well as activities on virtual, and in-person platforms. I am so grateful that we have an organization where we can learn from each other, and find new ways to push boundaries in our organization, our committees, and within our communities. It is such a privilege to work with a group of like-minded individuals. I would like to encourage those members who want to be more involved to reach out and find ways in which they can make a difference.  

I am looking forward to 2023 and the new activities and projects we are planning.
Thank you for the opportunity to share with you. I hope you enjoy this LipidSpin as much as we have enjoyed preparing it.