From the MWLA President: Thinking Ahead in a New Way

The Midwest Chapter was proud to be the host of the 2015 Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The meeting was well attended and very favorably reviewed, with an excellent faculty presenting talks both regarding novel research in clinical lipidology as well as practical applications of lipid management. Additionally, Drs. Carl Orringer and Terry Jacobson presented talks and discussions on the NLA Recommendations for Patient-Centered Management of Dyslipidemia - Part 1, as well as the Part 2 Recommendations on special populations.

The Midwest chapter did a tremendous job preparing for this edition of the LipidSpin, which focuses on primary prevention. The contributions from our NLA colleagues within the Midwest chapter are outstanding, and this promises to be an excellent issue.

One of the new emphases on lipid education for the community as well as practitioners is emanating from work done in the Chicago area by Dr. Shoeb Sitafalwalla, a cardiologist and MWLA board member. He has developed anoutstanding program advancing knowledge about cardiovascular risks pertinent to the South Asian Indian population, utilizing a social media format. This has been brought forward as a paradigm for engaging with our media relations team within the NLA to provide information on lipids and cardiovascular risk to the public. It will be most effective if created with a predefined structure, and being “branded” as work of the NLA. We look forward to working with the media relations chair Dr. James Underberg to move forward with this exciting program.

With the new structure of the NLA leadership, members of the Midwest chapter, as with other chapters, are strongly encouraged to participate in committee work at the national level. The response from the Midwest chapter toward volunteering their efforts has been impressive. Anyone who has specific interests in areas served by the education, practice management, communications, and other councils will be warmly welcomed, and their talents utilized! We have monetary funds available which have often in the past not been used, and we are challenged this year to find worthy use of these resources for furthering lipid education.

This will be an exciting year for the Midwest chapter. New thoughts, ideas, and participants are always appreciated!

It continues to be my honor to serve within the NLA, both as the chapter president for MWLA, as well as working within the committee structure. Please contact the excellent staff at the NLA with questions, or email me at kewillard61299@gmail.com.