2006 scientific assembly features sessions on national preparedness and Town Hall Meeting on “The Katrina Experience”
WASHINGTON ― Many emergency physicians stayed behind and many more came to help New Orleans last year when the city was battered by Hurricane Katrina. The nation’s emergency physicians are returning to hold their annual meeting — 2006 Scientific Assembly — at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from October 15 to 18.
“Many emergency physicians stayed to the very end caring for patients and saving lives in the aftermath of last year’s hurricane,” said Dr. Rick Blum, president of ACEP. “This year’s sessions will focus on national disaster preparedness, avian flu, surviving a natural disaster and the critical role of emergency medicine in responding to these national emergencies. Emergency physicians are the backbone of the nation’s health care system.”
During Scientific Assembly, thousands of emergency physicians from all over America and 30 countries will debate issues and learn the latest techniques. The hundreds of courses being offered reflect the wide array of medical conditions being seen by emergency physicians, as well as the role emergency medicine plays in national health care policy. Over 300 educational courses will highlight current scientific developments in abdominal, cardiovascular, endocrine, environmental medical disorders, gynecological, head and neck, metabolic, neurological, obstetric, pulmonary, toxicological, trauma, and urologic conditions.
Courses begin Sunday, October 15, at 8:00 a.m. and continue through Wednesday, October 18, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard, in New Orleans, (504) 582-3000. Visit www.acep.org for searchable information on Scientific Assembly’s program and courses, as well as meeting and hotel registration. On Oct 15-16, a Research Forum will feature hundreds of poster presentations of new research (detailed in a separate press release).
A “Town Hall Meeting: The Katrina Experience” will recount the challenges and ingenuity of those charged with caring for patients in the midst of a natural disaster. The panel will feature the following emergency physicians: Dr. Peter DeBlieux of Charity Hospital, Dr. James Aiken of Charity Hospital, RADM Vincent Berkley, Chief Medical Officer (Phoenix Area Office) of the Indian Health Service, and Dr. Juliette Saussy, of Charity Hospital and Emergency Medical Services director for New Orleans.
Scientific Assembly is also an opportunity for emergency physicians to share their creative talents. ACEP’s Artistic Expressions gallery gives physicians a chance to show off what they enjoy doing in their spare time, from photographs and paintings, to poetry and literature. The gallery will be located in the exhibit hall during the conference and will be on display from October 15-17.
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with nearly 24,000 members. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
A complete program is available at: http://meetings.acep.org/ScientificAssembly/EducationalPrograms/brochure.htm.