A Call to Action

Greetings! I am honored and excited to take on the role of President of the Southwest Lipid Association (SWLA). At the outset, I would like to sincerely acknowledge the accomplishments of Elizabeth J. Jackson, MSN, the immediate Past President of SWLA. Among other things, she has paved the way with new and interesting activities for our chapter including a high-level Spring Clinical Update in Hawaii, Rural Outreach Mission through partnership with Project ECHO, and the Million Hearts conference in collaboration with the ACC. I look forward to her continued support and backing from the officers.

We plan to move forward with exuberance; creating new strategies for our continued growth. We intend to implement Million Hearts in early 2015, as well as the Annual Meeting; initiate digital strategies to enhance awareness among non-medical communities; and create a global presence for the NLA, thus creating an impact factor with constructive partnerships that will be exemplary.

A major goal of our association is to inform the general public and relevant health care professionals about lipids and other risk multipliers that lead to non-communicable diseases. To that end, the NLA and SWLA offers members the opportunity to become engaged in activities. The most recent Recommendations for Patient-Centered Management of Dyslipidemia and the Expert Panel on Statin Safety are prime examples of effective leadership in our organization. This is your chance to get involved in councils and communities and increase your visibility. Voice your opinions on guidelines and statements, get involved in instructing through courses and conferences, engage via social networks and the NLA Foundation, and inspire other organizations to team up with us for best patient outcomes. Now is the time to develop collaborative concepts and new ideas that will strengthen policies and practices to help quell CVD. SWLA will continue to serve as a platform to recognize and provide leadership opportunities and celebrate the activities of those making an impact on people’s lives through education, research, and intervention.

Please share your ideas, articulate your opinions, advocate your causes, increase awareness to your colleagues to become members, and show your steadfast support. I would like to invite you to find and share resources at lipid.org. Feel free to contact me at 480-945-3535 or kvijaymd@gmail.com. Thank you, and I look forward to your support.

Kris Vijay, MD, FACC, FNLA
President, SWLA