A Message from Thomas White, Newly Elected President of the Southeast Lipid Association

Dear Colleagues:

Greetings! I hope you are off to great start of the summer season, with impactful work and rejuvenating vacations in your sights!

I am honored to serve as your President of SELA for 2019-2010. I am particularly honored to serve with such talented and passionate co-officers as President-Elect Dave Dixon PharmD,  Treasurer Casey Elkins DNP, and Secretary Greg Pokrywka MD. Our regional representatives are eager to serve and contribute. As our Immediate Past-President Dr Pamela Morris has so eloquently pointed out, we have such diversity among our leadership, an attribute of SELA and NLA of which we are so proud and one which positions our organizations for needed perspective and more impactful contributions.

Like many of you, I attended the NLA Scientific Sessions in Miami on May 16-19. What a superb meeting! Kudos to the planning committee, all of the participating speakers, and especially to our superb staff who work tirelessly to offer invaluable content and a fun experience. If you were able to attend this year, I would encourage you to review the NLA’s very thoughtful and influential statements on Lp(a) and PCSK inhibitor therapy which were presented in Miami. There would be too many excellent lectures to give each their deserved credit, but I feel sure those in attendance considered the multi-ethnic presentations on nutrition particularly valuable and practical. I look forward to our next Clinical Update in Minneapolis in September!

I am also very proud of the just-published edition of Lipid Spin (volume 17, Issue 3, 2019), sponsored by SELA. The concept of cardiovascular disease as a large and complex entity, with multiple contributing factors in addition to lipid disorders, is so aptly illustrated by the intriguing cover (check it out if you have not yet!) and the collection of topics - from hypertension to aspirin therapy to weight loss options and smoking cessation. Indeed, as clinicians we are broadening our perspective and moving beyond a more limited “silo-ed” approach to CVD risk.

Your officers and regional representatives are committed to uphold the high standards of our predecessors and our organization. If you ever have a suggestion or a question, do not hesitate to contact one of us, or one of our incredible staff.

Thank you for your membership and support of SELA and the NLA, and especially for your contributions and efforts to benefit patients and communities.

Thomas Rhyne White MD FNLA FAAFP