“Slocum-Dickson’s Teaching Day was a great success. We feel that the meeting contributed in a significant way to our understanding of various issues pertaining to the care we provide to our patients”, said Thomas Mathew, MD Cardiologist and Chairman of the Slocum-Dickson Teaching Day Committee.

The program attracted over 235 medical professionals and over 50 pharmaceutical and commercial vendors.   This program is held annually at the Radisson Hotel in Utica, NY.

Topics and Objectives this year included:

Topic: Management of Hyperglycemia in the Hospital; Why, When & How
Speaker: R. Harsha Rao, MD, FRCP (London)

To understand the impact of hyperglycemia on morbidity and mortality in the hospitalized patient with diabetes. To recognize the importance of tight glycemic control in improving outcomes in the hospitalized patient with diabetes. To develop an evidence-based approach to managing hyperglycemia in the hospital in order to improve outcomes through tight glycemic control

Topic: Current Diagnosis & Management of Chronic Viral Hepatitis B & C
Speaker: Chinweike Ukomadu, MD, PhD
Understand the risk factors for chronic viral hepatic infections. Identify populations at risk and know who should be screened. Be able to know the role for various tests in screening, diagnosis and response to treatment.  Understand current therapies for chronic hepatitis B and C. Know who should be screened for hepatocellular cancer

Topic: Current Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Speaker: Stuart D. Katz, MD

Recognize the heterogeneous nature of acute decompensated heart failure clinical presentations. Identify clinical features to stratify risk and optimize management strategy. Apply current knowledge to develop individualized treatment plans for patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Topic: Weaving Genetics into Everyday Clinical Practice
Speaker: Erin E. Houghton, MD, CGC
To discuss the advances gained from the Human Genome Project and its application to everyday healthcare. To review via case examples the role of genetics in personalizing patient healthcare plans. To discuss the role of genetics professionals (genetic counselors, medical geneticists) in collaborating with healthcare practitioners in other specialties.  To provide an overview of the genetic services of Ferre Institute to assist with patient care.

Topic: Update on HIV and AIDS for 2007
Speaker: Joseph P. McGowan, MD, FACP

Understand the current epidemiologic trends of HIV/AIDS.  New     antiretroviral therapies, including CCR5 inhibitors and Integrase inhibitors.
Understand the management of HIV and its associated co-morbidities

Topic: Concepts in Refractory Epilepsy
Speaker: Arie Weinstock, MD

To understand when a patient has refractory epilepsy.
To review basic concepts in the diagnosis of epilepsy.
To review therapeutic options including pharmacological, diet, and role of epilepsy surgery for the management of refractory epilepsy.

Topic: Aging & Behavioral Issues Across the Lifecycle
Speaker: Andrew E. Slaby, MD, PhD, MPH
Discuss risk factors in evaluating suicide potential across the lifecycle.
Differential diagnosis of behavioral disorders across the lifecycle.
Identification and management of suicidal patients in particular the elderly.

Topic: Latest Advances in Interventional Pain Medicine
Speaker: Didier Demesmin, MD
Clinical presentations of common pain syndromes.
Treatment options of common pain syndromes.
Indications of selected interventional pain procedures.