President's Update, January 2015

Robert C. Smallridge, M.D. ATA President

Dear ATA Colleagues,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and ATA staff, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your families and a Happy New Year. I would like to update you on some upcoming events early in 2015. We begin the year with a strategic planning retreat the weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in Ponte Vedra, FL. Ms. Mary Byers has been retained as a professional facilitator. She has interviewed ATA members to better understand our desired outcomes from this event, and she will assist in the review and renewal of our vision for the organization and in designing a plan for execution over the next few years. Attendees also received a survey which had the components of a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Having just reviewed the responses, it came as no surprise to me that there were many strengths identified by our members; but, there are also areas that could be improved, providing topics for a rich discussion during the retreat. It should be an exciting weekend! The results will, of course, be circulated to all members.

Also coming up soon is the Spring Satellite Conference, which will take place on Wed. March 4 in San Diego, at the beginning of the Endocrine Society meeting. Similar to last year's satellite meeting, there will be ATA practice guidelines presented, including the revision of the Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma guidelines and a new document on Children with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. You are all encouraged to attend this meeting.

In the first two months of my Presidency, two important issues have been identified that will be addressed by the Board during the next few months. One issue is Conflict of Interest (COI). The ATA has a Policy and Procedures for COI, but it was decided recently that this subject should be reviewed and perhaps revised. The second issue pertains to Guidelines development, a complex subject that will require careful analysis by the Board and key committees. Results of deliberations on both these topics will also be shared with all members at a later date.

And don't forget our BIG event of the year, the 15th International Thyroid Congress in Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), Florida in Oct. The ITC occurs only once every five years, and brings together our colleagues from around the world. The ATA will host this meeting, and given that it is in North America, I sincerely hope that all of you can arrange to attend what promises to be an educationally and socially rewarding opportunity.

Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about the ATA.

Best wishes,

Bob Smallridge, M.D.
ATA President