Chapter Update: A Focus on New Members and Mentorship

Welcoming New Members

The National Lipid Association (NLA) Fall Clinical Lipid Update (CLU) 2017 was hosted by the Southeast Lipid Association (SELA) and the Midwest Lipid Association  (MWLA) in Indianapolis, Indiana. One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s meeting was the number of new NLA members from all disciplines in attendance—their enthusiasm and engagement were truly palpable throughout the weekend’s events. During the pre- conference Lipid Academy and Master’s Course, new members were laser-focused on assimilating the knowledge they need for a meaningful practice in Clinical Lipidology.

They were at the microphones during the session Panel Discussions with challenging questions to stimulate discussion with expert faculty. New mentor-mentee pairs and new friendships were established at the NLA New Member Reception. In fact, the usual speaker program never happened because it just seemed wrong to interrupt the incredibly dynamic conversations and networking that were already in motion! And then there were the informal opportunities to welcome and engage our new members—one former NLA President enjoyed dinner with two new and junior members, surprising them with the warmth, wisdom, and accessibility of our wonderful NLA leadership. The new members of the NLA are truly the sustaining future of the organization and this weekend clearly demonstrated just how much energy, creativity, and innovation they can contribute.

Developing Emerging Faculty

The NLA was founded on the principles of the importance of mentorship of the multidisciplinary care team. Some of the most frequent questions we hear from junior NLA members are “How can I become more skilled at public speaking?” “How does the NLA select faculty for its CLUs and the Annual Scientific Sessions?” and “How can I become more involved as a speaker?” During the Fall CLU there was a focus on the development of our emerging faculty speakers from all disciplines. For our junior members, there was no better opportunity to take the podium for the first time than by presenting challenging Patient Cases for a lively debate by expert faculty. The “Great Debates in Calcium Scoring and ASCVD Risk Reduction” session was based on patient cases prepared by Kellie McLain, ANP, CLS (new SELA Regional Representative). The ensuing debates between Dr. Khurram Nasir and Dr. Salim Virani were dynamic, engaging, and informative (and entertaining!). Another excellent platform to showcase our emerging faculty was the new NLA “Coffee and Cases” session. Members from the care team prepared cases with input from content experts and then presented them in a “Morning Show” format for an interactive panel discussion with attendees and faculty. It was powerful to see junior faculty become comfortable “up-front and on-stage” in this more relaxed, informal setting.

Supporting Member Involvement

The SELA chapter has approved and  designated chapter funds to be used for a Travel Reimbursement Scholarship (TRS). The goal of the TRS program is to support junior member attendance at NLA meetings and to foster involvement with regional and national member colleagues. This year the SELA TRS (up to $1,000) was awarded to Beth Ann White DNP, NP-C, AACC for attendance at this year’s Fall CLU. She recently completed her Doctorate in nursing practice and her doctorate research project was focused on lipid management. She currently works in a lipid clinic in a cardiology practice and would like to continue to expand this clinic.

She hopes that participation in NLA meetings will help her to develop expertise in clinical lipidology and to offer the highest quality of care for complex patients. She has previously attended the NLA Lipid Academy and is working toward certification as a Clinical Lipid Specialist by the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology. During the Fall CLU Dr. White was seen actively participating in every educational session, attending the New Member Reception, networking with senior faculty—and yes, she was also spotted dancing to the sounds of President-Elect Dr. Alan Brown’s band, This End Up, during the NLA Foundation event! The SELA TRS was definitely awarded to a deserving recipient who will contribute meaningfully in the coming years to the mission and work of SELA and the NLA.

Reaching Out and Beyond

I encourage “veteran” NLA members to reach out to your colleagues in all disciplines with a welcoming invitation to join your regional chapter as a new member, to initiate a new mentor-mentee relationship with a current junior NLA member, to identify potential NLA “rising star” emerging faculty speakers, and to work toward ensuring strong leadership for the future of the NLA.