I write this column upon returning from Las Vegas, where nearly 1,000 physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists treating persons with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) attended an educational conference sponsored and coordinated by United Spinal Association. Although our organization has spent more than $27 million sponsoring this major educational effort over the last 20+ years, this was the first time I attended in an official capacity.
I commend the leadership of the American Paraplegia Society, the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses, and the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers (Indira Lanig, MD; Karen Klemme, RN, CRRN, CNLCP; and Terrie Price, PhD, respectively) for putting together a wide-ranging, comprehensive and excellent program. Through their leadership and dedication, research advances in basic science and clinical practice are disseminated to facilities that treat individuals with spinal cord disorders (SCD) nationwide, thus improving the quality of health care available to you.
I would also like to commend the staff of United Spinal Association-Vivian Beyda, DrPh; Stephen Sofer, PhD; Berelice Donaghey; Marion Smith; Yvonne Moiseau and a host of other people-who helped to make this conference a logistical success. I am pleased to announce that these three associations have agreed to participate in a consumer conference to be held next year, in August, in Orlando, Florida. There, in addition to the information available to SCI/D professionals, the SCI/D community will have the opportunity to meet with the best and brightest minds in SCI/D medicine and to discuss the potential impact of research and clinical practice in our lives. More information on this conference will be disseminated to our members in a timely manner. Please begin planning, so you can attend.
I am very proud of United Spinal’s active role in state-of-the art medical advances and am confident that we will, in partnership with the three professional associations, continue to impact SCD health care in meaningful ways.
Paul J. Tobin
Executive Director
