ACC.10

The American College of Cardiology Conference last Monday in Atlanta was: intense, eye-opening, amazing, and slightly overwhelming.

And I Loved It.



Stephanie, fellow classmate, took some Excellent Photos <<--Click There I wasn't sure what to expect when I first walked down to the press room but seeing real journalists hovering over their laptops typing away was amazing. And of course, one room over was an impressive room full of food and refreshment for the media. I met amazing people and learned several lessons. The first of which is to dress comfortably, I think I put a few miles on my shoes but I am quite happy I chose comfort over style. Thanks to Professor Thomas' words of wisdom! About the people. Stephanie, Kirk and I got to meet Ed Sussman who is a freelance health/medical journalist and editor of an online site. He also is a big name in the journalism world and formerly with the Enquirer. There were also journalists from around the globe in the World Congress Center that day too. It was amazing to see how journalists are able to create stories, for a variety of news outlets, right there in that space!

I picked up a lot of swag from the conference that I went through last night--much of which I do not understand and therefore went in the recycling bin. However, the impression the expo site left on me alone was quite impressive. From technology demonstrations with real, outrageously gorgeous models, to the preserved hearts of people with cardiovascular issues---absolutely amazing. The poster sessions were my favorite because I got to talk to actual researchers who were more than eager to discuss their studies. Although I can't say that I understood the bulk of what they were discussing, I did feel that I learned the most by talking to the people really involved in the research. I also began to understand my role as a journalist and the importance I have as a mediator between the pure science and the people. Now, I can finally embrace my task.

From Malaria to Cardiology

Yes, completely unrelated in this blog post--except for the fact that they both will be mentioned.

A few weeks ago Dr. Bernard Nahlen, Deputy Global Coordinator of the President's Malaria Initiative spoke in the Voices from the Vanguard lecture series and shared quite a few interesting points about malaria. Having traveled to the African continent, I remember the daily pills I had to take and the brief sickness I scared my entire family with upon my return in which I feared that I indeed had malaria. Yes, little did I know then. However, Dr. Nahlen's lecture was insightful and not only gave a detailed background on the various species of malaria as well as the international efforts that have attempted to reduce the burden on sub-Saharan medical systems because of malaria.

One thing that the Vanguard lectures have communicated is the impact of health on economic, educational, and political systems. The cost of a sick person goes beyond mere dollars one has to spend on a medical visit or co-pays (if you are lucky enough to have insurance....or unlucky depending on how you see the situation)--the cost of a sick person correlates directly to the wealth of a nation. Sick and dying people cannot contribute to sustaining any form of economic prosperity, knowledge, or really...anything. A vicious cycle evolves because health systems become burdened and eventually fall apart. As I become more aware of the world I live in, I realize that a group of do-gooders cannot swoop in and fix everything for everyone because there are a multitude of factors at play. Despite all this, there is hope. The Voices from the Vanguard are proof of this because they continue to do their work and share it with people such as myself. By providing opportunities to hear from those actually attempting to make that change. ...just something to think about...

Now, in a matter of days I will be inundated with more information about cardiology than I believe I will be able to handle, but it shall be done! The American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual conference is in Atlanta this year and I will be covering the Monday sessions. I am a budding journalist, in every sense of the word. Dr. Murrow's mini "boot camp" was helpful but I have never been to a conference for a field of which I know next to nothing about. I already know that I will have fun because I have an official "Media" badge. This badge, and I say this in all seriousness, makes me feel pretty powerful. It is as if the words I write will be more than just groupings of letters, they will be tools of information dissemination to a public curious to know more. Maybe that's what they were the whole time. Good to know....

Until next time (i.e. post ACC Conference)...