New Mexico Thoracic Society Celebrates 40 Years
New Mexico Thoracic Society Administrator Judy Holcombe talks about the chapter’s 40th annual meeting, which will take place on February 11, 2012, from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Marriott Pyramid North Hotel in Albuquerque.
Q. What is the New Mexico Thoracic Society doing to celebrate its 40th annual meeting? What’s the focus of this year’s program?
A. Our 40th anniversary symposium will highlight primary care practitioners’ need to understand pulmonary, critical care and sleep issues in the general population. That’s why we called it “P4 = Pulmonary Potpourri for Primary Practitioners.”
Q. In what ways has the meeting changed since it launched in 1972?
A. Over the years, attendance has consistently grown from 30 to more than 200 participants, which changed the event from a “socio/educational” program based primarily in Santa Fe or Taos to a larger educational offering that now takes place in Albuquerque.
Q. What would you say is the most unique aspect of the meeting?
A. The high standard and quality of the educational programming we offer. Also, we think the fact that participants come from such diverse backgrounds and have varying levels of expertise makes the symposium more interesting.
Q. Over the years, have some programs stood out more than others?
A. According to NMTS President Amine Temmar, MD, one of the most memorable programs took place in 2008 when ATS President Nicholas Hill, MD, served as the symposium’s guest speaker in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And Lee Brown, MD, past president of the NMTS, remembers another outstanding program at our 2006 symposium in Albuquerque, where David Gozal, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, spoke about pediatric sleep disorders. We were also honored to have former ATS President John E. Heffner, MD, discuss pleural diseases at our 2009 meeting.
Q. Looking forward, what are the NMTS’s plans for keeping its members abreast of the latest clinical and research advances?
A. We hope to increase involvement by continuing to invite quality speakers who are recognized by colleagues as experts in their respective fields.
Q. How can ATS members learn more?
A. I would be happy to talk more about the program with anyone who is interested in attending. Please feel free to call me at 505.899.1254 or send me an e-mail at jbholcombe1@q.com.
