AACE celebrates 25 years with latest research at annual meeting

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist’s annual meeting will go “back to the future” as it celebrates its silver anniversary this year, reflecting on 25 years of history and perspective while showcasing the latest in diabetes, obesity, bone and hormone health research.

The AACE 25th Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress brings more than 3,000 attendees to the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida, from May 25 to 29 to hear from experts in the field and connect with peers. This year’s 5-day schedule includes nearly 70 sessions, as well as pre-congress sessions and more than 500 posters, along with special symposia and 20 meet-the-expert sessions.

“AACE has become a recognized leader in endocrinology,” Felice Caldarella, MD, FACE, FACP, CDE, co-chair of the Annual Meeting Program Committee, told Endocrine Today. “We’ve become an agency others look to for opinion on different therapies for patients with endocrine disorders. We’ve become a voice in Congress and the FDA, and a voice internationally. AACE has grown with various chapters, to the point to where we’re adjusting our domestic guidelines for other countries.”

This year’s program will look back on the past 25 years through special video segments and a “walk through history” presentation while looking forward to the future with speakers that include Regina Benjamin, MD, U.S. surgeon general from 2009 to 2013, and adolescent transgender reality TV star Jazz Jennings and her family.

The meeting will conclude with an anniversary “silver celebration” at the AACE President’s Gala on Saturday, May 28.

“Endocrinologists are of a wide range of ages and come from areas all over the world,” Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, FACE, also a program co-chair, told Endocrine Today. “This is an opportunity to really expose yourself to all different aspects of endocrinology, bring what you learned back to the office, and use it in a meaningful way.”

Some of the meeting highlights include the following:

Preconference events taking place Wednesday, May 25, will feature updates on the latest diabetes technology, a comprehensive approach to clinical thyroidology and cardiovascular medicine for the endocrinologist.

Satellite symposia throughout the week will include sessions on new treatment concepts for hypoparathyroidism, how “low” to go in LDL reduction, patient-centered care in obesity medicine and the use of ultralong-acting insulins.

Pauline M. Camacho, MD, FACE, president-elect of AACE, will deliver a special presentation, “Lessons in Leadership: My Path to the Presidency,” during the women’s luncheon on Thursday, May 26 (ticket required).

As a complement to the 500 available posters, select posters will be available electronically this year. The “e-posters” will feature posters from top-scoring abstracts and can be found in two electronic kiosks in the exhibit hall. “This year we spent a lot of time designing the conference to highlight the posters,” Caldarella said. “The cutting-edge science, before it becomes a plenary talk, it was a poster. It starts off with small conversations, small findings, and then it builds. If you really want to hear what is cutting edge, go to the poster sessions and talk to your colleagues. It’s another great opportunity learn.”

New this year, AACE also will offer an in-depth symposium for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. “A Practical Clinical Guide to Endocrine Diseases for Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants,” co-chaired by W. Reid Litchfield, MD, and Sondra M. O’Callaghan, PA, MPH, CHES, will highlight the collaboration of physicians and nurse practitioners/physician assistants working together for better screening, diagnosis and treatment of endocrine-related conditions.

“As medicine is changing, a team-based approach to any endocrine disorder, particularly diabetes, is becoming increasingly important,” Caldarella said. “We’ve designed these programs to help our colleagues. Many of our board members have NPs and PAs in their office and value their presence, and they take care of our patients.”

The Endocrine Today and Healio.com staff will provide coverage from AACE 2016, including reports on the sessions, onsite video interviews and much more. For more information on the AACE agenda and registration, visit www.am.aace.com. – by Regina Schaffer