Special
Events - Pittsburgh Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group “Spring Luncheon”
Support Groups Organize Major Educational Symposiums and Exhibits
The weather is heating up and so are the activities taking place nationwide to educate PH patients, medical professionals and the larger community on pulmonary hypertension.
More than 80 patients and medical professionals attended the Pittsburgh Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group “Spring Luncheon” on Sunday April 30, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Green Tree Pittsburgh. The keynote speaker was Srinivas Murali, M.D., a professor of medicine and internationally recognized heart failure, cardiac transplantation and pulmonary hypertension specialist who is the newly appointed director of the Division of Cardiology and medical director of the new Allegheny General Hospital Cardiovascular Institute.
Pittsburgh PH Support Group Leader Sharren Yamron and PHA Board member Roger Towle made remarks about how these events are integral to raising awareness and PH education. Sharren spoke about why these meetings are important and how their positive impact on patients, “There is an excitement at the meetings that we are moving closer to knowing how to manage this disease and find a cure. That is what all of us want. We all share that dream." Roger discussed the vital services that PHA offers which help end isolation, strengthen medical education, raise awareness and help grow the PH community. The meeting also featured Dr. Betsy O'Neil who addressed stress, chronic disease and relaxation. The support group thanks John Regoli and all the staff from Actelion Pharmaceuticals for providing the luncheon and to all those from the industries who help support the meetings.
On the same day as the Pittsburgh Spring Luncheon, patients and medical professionals in Columbus, Ohio, gathered at the Pinkerington Public Library to hear from Dr. Curt Daniels. Dr. Daniels is the director of Adolescent/Young Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic at Ohio Statue University and Columbus Children’s Hospital; he’s also director of Pulmonary Hypertension Services, at Ohio State University. Attendees were treated to a lunch meeting organized by Columbus Ohio PH Support Group Leader Millie Murtha and other active members of the group.
By the time this newsletter reaches your mailbox, the Tyler PH Support Group in Texas will have celebrated the success of its major educational seminar featuring Johannes J. Kuiper, M.D., the Co-Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The event is scheduled to take place on June 3, 2006, at the Ramada Tyler Conference Center. According to Support Group Leader Melissa Isham, the group has high aims, “I hope to reach more PH patients and caregivers than I have in the past ... I want more people to know about PH and the serious impact it has on us as patients and our caregivers.” We’re glad to help Melissa and the group in their good work to raise awareness and support patient and medical education.
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