More than 500 attendees gathered in Miami Beach January 26-29 to continue the conversation about increasing the number of organs available for transplantation. Along with the latest in basic and clinical research, presenters took a variety of approaches to the overall theme of “Organ Donation 2.0: Turning Ideas into Action.”
A highlight of the event was the Presidential Address by Timothy L. Pruett, MD, on “Issues Through a Personal Lens, or What’s Wrong with This Picture?” He applied the science of how the brain perceives ideas and situations to the organ shortage.
A special session on conflict mediation and resolution took place Saturday afternoon, facilitated by Jeanne Brett, PhD, from the Kellogg School Dispute Resolution Center and Jim Woodrum, MBA, from the Kellogg School of Management. Attendees were assigned specific roles on their teams and then given a scenario based on real events to attempt to resolve. Each team tackled the issue in a unique way, illustrating that there can be more than one solution to a difficult situation. At the end of the session, attendees discussed how to apply the lessons learned to the debate about liver allocation.
A. Benedict Cosimi, MD, gave the eighth annual David Hume Lecture on Friday afternoon, exploring the question “Why Transplant Surgery.” The Oral Abstract Session was next, followed by a series of viewpoints on MELD and aligning the objectives of OPOs and transplant centers. Friday was capped off by the Opening Exhibit and Poster Reception, which combined networking with visiting exhibitors and learning from poster presenters.
On Saturday, the focus was on DCD donation, followed by the Recognition Awards ceremony. The Posters of Distinction awards, ATP Award, Vanguard Prize, and Francis Moore Excellence in Mentorship in the Field of Transplantation Surgery Award recipients were honored. Afterward more oral abstracts presenters took the stage, including the 2017 Vanguard Prize winners. Wrapping up the day, dinner and dancing on the lawn benefitted from a clear night and pleasant temperature.
Sunday began with the Video Abstract Session, followed by Mini-Oral Abstracts. The meeting wrapped up with a bit of competition: the audience voted for their favorite Soap Box presentation on increasing organ utilization. Dorry L. Segev, MD, PhD, won with the talk “Effects of Systems Improvement Agreements on Waitlist Patient Outcomes.”
Thank you to the 2017 Winter Symposium Planning Committee:
Daniela P. Ladner, MD, MPH (Chair)
M.B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA (Co-Chair)
Mark J. Hobeika, MD
T. Mark Earl, MD, MSCI
Karim J. Halazun, MD
Garrett R. Roll, MD, FACS
Alp Sener, MD, PhD
Derek E. Moore, MD, MPH
Carlos O. Esquivel, MD, PhD (Council Liaison)
Matthew H. Levine, MD, PhD (CME Liaision)
Georgeine Smith, MS, MHS, PA-C (ATP Liaison)
ASTS gratefully acknowledges support for the 2017 Winter Symposium from our Corporate Sponsors:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation–Diamond Level
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals–Silver Level
Astellas–Bronze Level
Sanofi-Genzyme–Bronze Level
ASTS also wishes to thank the following companies for providing independent medical education grants:
Astellas
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Overheard at the mediation session:
“I have some guidos up the street….”
“We don’t trust you.”
“[He’s] going to milk his cows.”
“You haven’t proven to be a good partner.”
“He needs a tox screen.”