From the SWLA President: Working Hard to Legitimize Our Specialty

It is my privilege to proudly present this edition of LipidSpin from the Southwest Chapter of the National Lipid Association (SWLA). This chapter includes the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. This edition will address some new topics not covered before, as well as reinforce current ideas considered mainstream by lipid specialists nationwide. I am also pleased to share a very important article by my good friend, Dr. Kris Vijay, concerning South Asian patients and the special risks they present to us.

I would like to share the primary focus of my year as President of SWLA. I am challenging all members of SWLA, and the NLA to become diplomates of the ABCL and ACCL. As we seek to gain recognition of the Lipid Specialist, we must realize there is strength in numbers. If we hope to further the recognition of clinical lipidology as a specialty, we must prove the legitimacy of this medical specialty. I cannot think of a more noble ambition for all of us who provide patient care than to formalize the specialty that plays a crucial role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death.

To that end, the best way to start this journey is the NLA Self-Assessment Program. This program can be done at home at any time, at any pace. It is a remarkable way to enhance lipid knowledge, stay current with the latest in treatment guidelines, and challenge the student in all of us to discover our strengths and weaknesses in this arena. It also provides a method of comparison to everyone participating in the program by clarifying how each individual fares alongside his/her peers who are completing the same program. Having now taken this program twice over the last decade, I can attest that it is rigorous and will certainly enhance your knowledge base and confidence in treating lipid disorders moving forward. This is a win-win for the provider and all the patients who stand to benefit from our enhanced level of knowledge.

In closing, I want to thank all the innumerable people who have contributed to my path in the lipid world, as well as all those who both work for and volunteer their time and many talents to the NLA. This is an organization of which I am truly proud to be a part. I also thank the NLA for the honor of serving as President this year, and strive to prove worthy of this position. The NLA has accomplished so much to date, and will clearly lead the charge in the future by educating and shaping the lipid specialists who will be guide us to the highest quality care available to combat cardiovascular disease.