Southwest Symposium on Neuroimmunologic Disorders, April  26 -28, 2007

The Cody Unser First Step Foundation and The New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disabilities will be holding the first Southwest Symposium on Neuroimmunologic Disorders, April 26-28, 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  This two and a half day symposium will showcase the wonderful knowledge and compassion of the experts on Transverse Myelitis, Multiple Sclerosis, ADEM, NMO, and the other neuroimmunologic disorders.  For several years I have been strongly advocating for collaborative efforts on TM, MS and the many other neuroimmunologic disorders; the time is now! 

This symposium will include experts from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Reeve Irvine from Irvine, California, and Kennedy Krieger Institute, in Baltimore, Maryland and many others.  Important information will be presented on acute and long-term treatments and rehabilitation that focus on hope for improved quality of life for people with these disorders.  The symposium will be held at the Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque which provides an intimate feel of the Southwest.  We have worked very hard to keep the cost down so that we can provide this opportunity to as many patients and their families as possible.  We are inviting neurologists, primary care physicians, emergency physicians, physiatrists, general practice physicians, medical students, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists.  We are also placing an emphasis on reaching out to physicians who practice in rural areas of the Southwest.  We urge you to encourage your own physicians and therapists to attend.  The success of this symposium really depends on the participation from those of you who have these disorders and your families.  We know you will learn so much from the experts who will be presenting, and we know that you have so much to teach them, as well.  The symposium is a time of understanding, sharing ideas, and connecting with each other.  So, please don’t miss out!  I really hope to see all of you at the Southwest Neuroimmunologic Symposium in Albuquerque this April.  We are all in this fight together and I can’t wait to see you there!
 
Cody Unser
Founder of the Cody Unser First Step Foundation  

The conference is presented by the Cody Unser First Step Foundation and The New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disabilities in conjunction with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.  The registration form for the symposium is being mailed to all TMA members.  You can also find the registration form through links from the TMA, Cody Unser First Step Foundation and the New Mexico School of Medicine web sites.  You may also register by phone at (505)272-3942.  For TMA members, the registration fee is $75 per person, if registration is completed before April 13th.  After April 13th the registration is $115 per person.  Childcare will be provided for younger TM patients so that parents might be able to attend the symposium. 

You will need to make hotel reservations; these arrangements are not included in your registration.  Special rates are available if you make your room reservation no later than April 5, 2007.  Participation rates are $70.00 for a single and $80.00 for a double.  To make room reservations, please contact the hotel directly:

Nativo Lodge
6000 Pan American Freeway NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
(505)798-4300
Toll-free: (888)628-4861
http://www.hhandr.com/nativo

For additional information about the symposium, please contact:

UNM School of Medicine
Office of Continuing Medical Education
MSC09 5370 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001
http://hsc.unm.edu/cme

Southwest Symposium on Neuroimmunologic Disorders Program Schedule

Thursday, April 26, 2007

3:30 - 5:30 Early Registration and Welcome Reception

Friday, April 27, 2007

7:00 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 9:15 Conference Goals and Welcome Address
Paul B. Roth, MD, and Leslie A. Morrison, MD
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

9:15 - 10:00 Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders: An Overview
Benjamin M. Greenberg, MD, MHS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

10:00 - 10:45 Transverse Myelitis
Douglas A. Kerr, MD, PhD
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

10:45 - 11:00 Refreshment Break

11:00 - 11:30 Predicting Neuromyelitis Optica
Biljana D. Beretich, MD
University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM

11:30 - 12:00 Rare Presentations of Multiple Sclerosis
Corey C. Ford, MD
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

12:00 -1:00 Lunch

1.00 - 1:30 Accute Therapies: Steroids, IVIG, Plasma Exchange, Cytoxan
Benjamin M. Greenberg, MD, MHS
Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, MD

1:30 --2:00 Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis
TBA
Nancy Davis Center Without Walls Pediatric MS Centers

2:00 - 2:30 Clinical Significance of Demyelinating Lesions of the Central Nervous System
Elaine S. Edmonds, MD, PhD
University of New Mexico. Albuquerque. NM
 
2:30 - 3:00 Refreshment Break

3:00 - 3:45 Scientific Advancements: Neuroimmunological Disorders
Oswald Steward, MD, PhD
University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA

3:45 - 4:15 Depression in Tranverse Myelitis and Multiple Sclerosis
Adam I. Kaplin, MD, PhD
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

4:15 - 5:15 Conception, Pregnancy, and Labor in Women with Demyelinating Disease
Donna Chattin, RN and Benjamin M. Greenberg, MD, MHS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

6:30 - 8:30 Dinner and Entertainment - Showing Quality of Life       

Saturday, April 28, 2007

7:00 - 8:30 Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 9:15 Neuroprotection and Neuro Repair of Demyelinating Lesions of the Central Nervous System and Its Clinical Significance
Corey C. Ford, MD, PhD
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

9:15 - 10:00 Pediatric Transverse Myelitis and ADEM
Leslie A. Morrison, MD
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

10:00 - 10:15 Refreshment Break

10:15 - 10:45 Strategies for Spasticity, Imaging of Recovering and Intervention
John P. Phillips, MD
University of New Mexico

10:45 - 11:15 Rehabilitation Pathways to Pain Management
Denise Taylor, MD
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. NM

11:15- 12:00 The Primary Care Physician’s Role with Transverse Myelitis and Multiple Sclerosis
Alyson P. Thal
Corrales Family Practice, Corrales, NM

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 1:30 Neurorestorative Principles of Rehabilitation
John W. McDonald, III, MD, PhD
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD

1:30 - 2:15 Promoting a Lifestyle of Health and Fitness in Children and Adolescents with Motor Impairments
The UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital Rehabilitation Team
Carrie Tingley Hospital, Albuquerque. NM

2:15 - 2:45 Sexual Dysfunction in Neuroimmunologic Disorders
Adam I. Kaplin, MD, PhD Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

2:45 - 3:45 Moderated Discussion among Multiple Sclerosis/Transverse Myelitis/NMO/ADEM Community, Pediatric and Adult Issues, Question and Answer Session

Moderators: Chitra Krishnan, MHS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Sanford J. Siegel, PhD
President of The Transverse Myelitis Association

Panel of Doctors: Corey C. Ford, MD, PhD; Benjamin M. Greenberg, MD, MHS;  Adam I. Kaplin, MD, PhD; Douglas A. Kerr, MD, PhD; John W. McDonald, III, MD, PhD; Leslie A. Morrison, MD; Oswald Steward, MD, PhD
 
Late Afternoon Activities

Unser Museum for Patients and Families, Sign ups are required for this activity. (See Registration Form)

Ongoing: Demonstration of Restorative Therapies FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) 300-s Cycle