ASN's Renal Express
- September 2004 -
Publisher: American Society of Nephrology       Email: email@asn-online.org

President's Message

Dear ASN Members,

Welcome to September's Renal Express!

Time marches on. Labor Day has passed, another academic year begins, and the ASN Board Review Course was just completed. The Course was highly praised by the attendees, and I am grateful to Bob Narins, the ASN Staff, and members of the faculty for their hard work. This year's course in San Francisco included both individuals preparing for the Boards and those wanting a nephrology review by experts. Please note you can now purchase the course syllabus, just in time to help prepare for the board examination!

At our August meeting, the ASN Council reviewed new educational programs with Dr. Bob Narins. One change resulting from this meeting is the Council's decision to increase the number of “ASN Regional Meetings”. The Regional Meetings were initiated last winter in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The program was so successful that we've added meetings to be held in Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington. The meetings will provide highlights of Renal Week for members and colleagues who were unable to attend the annual meeting or want a review of the information. Stay tuned for more information on our 2005 Regional Meetings!

The Council approved a new program that will be co-sponsored by SLANH (Sociedad Latinoamerica de Nefrologia y Hipertension) to provide grants to a select number of young nephrologists and scientists to spend a month working in a Nephrology Division in the U.S. or Canada prior to attending Renal Week.

The Council also discussed support for research. To increase our ability to support research, the Council began planning efforts that will enable the ASN to support more grant applications. To achieve this goal, we need stable funding and an organized plan for fundraising to enlarge our research endowment. A group of advisors, Drs. M. Sayegh, D. Glassock, and R. Hakim, were selected to review the goals for supporting research and methods of raising a research endowment.

Renal Week is only a month and a half away, and I hope you have already made plans to attend and participate actively. Housing for Renal Week is going quickly! The deadline for housing reservations is Monday, September 27 to ensure a confirmed housing reservation at a discounted rate. Reserve your hotel room today!

Please feel free to email me your ideas on how we can better serve the needs of ASN members.

Sincerely yours,

William E. Mitch, MD

President
American Society of Nephrology

 


Program and Abstracts-On-Line Now Available on the ASN Website

The ASN proudly announces that our Renal Week 2004 online, searchable program- Program and Abstracts-On-Line- is now available through the ASN website, www.asn-online.org. This informative site includes all invited sessions and abstracts for Renal Week 2004. You can search by topic and mark the sessions and posters you wish to attend. Those sessions marked can be printed into a customized itinerary or downloaded to a PDA. An electronic version of all abstracts is also posted on the ASN website in a pdf file. Attendees that prefer to plan from a hardcopy of the Program and Abstracts book can print the pdf version from the ASN website prior to arriving in St. Louis.

To access the Program and Abstracts-On-Line you will need to enter a User Name and Password (different from that of the ASN Membership ID Number) that you will create by following the instructions on the website. If you previously created a User Name and Password to submit your abstract, you may simply reuse this information.

The Program and Abstracts On-Line (AOL) is a great place to learn more about new ASN sessions offered during Renal Week 2004, including Free Communications and our Official Breakfast, Luncheon, and Evening Symposia. We hope that the enhanced services will provide you with an easy and efficient way to plan your time in St. Louis!

ASN Seeks Seeks Editor-in-Chief for New Clinical Journal

The ASN is currently seeking applications and nominations for the position of Editor-in-Chief for a new clinical publication of The American Society of Nephrology. This new publication will contain a balance of invited educational content and peer-reviewed manuscripts. The new journal will focus on both original clinical research and educational material, emphasizing the translation of advances in clinical and basic research to implementation in improved patient care. The journal will include scholarly reviews, pro/con debates on important clinical issues, substantive case reports and case series, and excerpts from symposia and courses from the annual meeting and other educational meetings of the society. In addition, there will be periodic updates on public policy related to the practice of nephrology. Click here for details on the position, qualifications, and submission requirements.

Vote Online for ASN's New Councilor

This year, we are excited to offer online ballot nominations for councilors. You will be able to read about and vote for this year's councilors directly online. If you hold an M.D., Ph.D., or its equivalent, reside in North or Central America, and have paid your 2004 dues, you are an "Active" member and thus, eligible to vote. Please reference the mailer, fax, or previous email you received for directions to access the online ballot. Feel free to email us with "online ballot information" in the subject line, and we'll email you the directions and online link. The deadline to vote is Friday, October 1.

Renal Informatics Survey

The ASN Renal Informatics Committee recently developed an online survey, which covers the various ways nephrologists learn and keep themselves educated and current on the latest science.  Please click here and take this brief, 9 question survey, if you haven't already done so.  The results will help us better serve the needs of our members by allowing us to understand your preferred methods of learning.

Indiana University School of Medicine Division of Nephrology Presents "Intra-vital Multi-photon Microscopy of the Kidney"

Intra-vital Multi-photon Microscopy of the Kidney will take place November 2-3, 2004 at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN. Roundtrip motorcoach transportation will be provided from St. Louis to Indianapolis following the conclusion of Renal Week on November 1. All registrations must be received by October 15th and all fees paid by October 29th. Capacity limited to first 50 participants. Click here for details.
American Society of Nephrology
1725 I Street, NW
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 659-0599
Fax: (202) 659-0709
Email: email@asn-online.org
Website: www.asn-online.org