Volume 4, Number 1, April 2005
CEO Corner ISHIB2005 Scientific Sessions in San Juan, Puerto Rico – New Dates July 15-18^th The 20^th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference on Hypertension and Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Ethnic Populations will take place in tropical San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 15-18, 2005 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. We have revised the conference dates and format to remain inline with industry standards. Conference will begin on Friday and end on Monday afternoon, thereby the conference will take place over the weekend and only allotting 2 business days out of your work schedule. This year’s theme, “Hypertension and Related Diseases: Control and Prevention in Ethnic Populations Across the Lifespan”, includes a scientific program comprised of: 3 plenary sessions, 4 workshops, 6 symposia, (all with opportunities to earn CE or CME units) and poster and oral abstracts of new research on cardiovascular disease and other issues of importance to ethnic minority health. Our ISHIB2005 conference scientific co-chairs, Kenneth Jamerson, MD from the University of Michigan Health Center and Kwame Osei, MD from the Ohio State University Medical Center, have done an outstanding job assembling a distinguished multidisciplinary planning committee, which has created a challenging, clinically practical, and educational program. The wide range of programming incorporates findings from the most recent clinical trials, proven approaches for cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention, and sessions emphasizing behavioral techniques to help patients modify behaviors that affect health. We also encourage your attendance at the numerous ISHIB2005 Special Events. This year’s opening ceremony features the Neil Shulman Lecture presented by our distinguished speaker Dr. Myriam Allende-Vigo, MD, FACP, FACE, a leading endocrinologist and Past President of the Puerto Rico Society of Endocrinology and Professor and Director of Endocrinology at the University of Puerto Rico; and, immediately following, join us on the beach for our President’s Reception. This event promises delegates a great time with Latin style music, food, and fun. Also, look for the unveiling of the ISHIB2006 theme! Member participation at the new Annual Members’ Meeting (formerly ISHIB General Business Meeting) is requested. Your presence is needed as we have incorporated member-focus group sessions that will assist us in improving programs and membership relations. In the midst of planning the conference, the ISHIB staff has made important progressions in several arenas. With our members and the ever growing reputation of our journal in mind, ISHIB is proud to announce the Members Only website and Ethnicity & Disease online. For more information about these new services, please read “What’s New at ISHIB,” featured in this newsletter. Likewise, ISHIB and the American Society on Hypertension have partnered together for the “Special Symposium: Hypertension in the African American Population” at ASH 2005 Scientific Sessions in May 14, 2005. Be sure to register for this event at www.ash-us.org. I look forward to seeing many of you in San Francisco, California at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) conference, May 14-18, 2005. Be sure to visit ISHIB booth #618. ISHIB is proud to celebrate 20 years as an organization dedicated to improving the health and life expectancy of ethnic populations around the world through continuing education activities, scientific research, and community outreach. I look forward to your participation in future ISHIB activities, especially in ISHIB2005. As we aim to achieve higher standards in minority healthcare, this will be an event you can not afford to miss. See you in San Juan! Sincerely, Christopher T. Fitzpatrick CEO
20^th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference on Hypertension and Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Ethnic Populations (New Dates: July 15-18, 2005) ISHIB seeks your participation in our 20^th annual conference, ISHIB2005, as we bring together leading healthcare practitioners, researchers, and public health professionals to discuss “Hypertension and Related Diseases: Control and Prevention in Ethnic Populations Across the Lifespan. The scientific program will feature 3 plenary sessions, 4 workshops, 6 symposia, and poster and oral abstracts of new research on cardiovascular disease and other issues of importance to ethnic minority health. Topics: · Epidemic of Hypertension · Stroke and Related Complications · CVD Prevention and Management · Global Effects of Kidney Disease · Role of Obesity in Diabetes The ISHIB2005 Special Events gives the organization the opportunity to show our appreciation for your commitment to eliminating health disparities and to improve your membership society. This year’s members’ meeting includes, member focus group sessions, and important program updates. · Opening & Awards Ceremony - Friday, July 15 – 6:00pm · President’s Reception - Friday, July 15 – 7:30pm · Annual Members’ Meeting - Saturday, July 16 – 10:00am For a detailed itinerary of ISHIB2005, please view our Program-At-A-Glance.	ISHIB2005 Conference Registration Fees: Members: $575 Non-member: $725 Student/Resident: $300 Day Rate: $275 Guest: $250 For more information: www.ishib.org/ISHIB2005
Travel and Lodging for ISHIB2005: Participants are strongly encouraged to make their lodging and transportation arrangements as soon as possible. When making flight arrangements, please contact Corporate Travel Planners and identify yourself as an ISHIB2005 delegate, for your discounted airfare. § Reserve your oceanfront view at the Caribe Hilton San Juan! § Avis is the preferred car rental agency for ISHIB2005 Book now and save! Enter Avis Worldwide Discount # K609400 and receive the best car rental rates available. § For a detailed list of room options and travel information, please refer to the ISHIB2005 site at www.ishib.org/ishib2005	Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, therefore passports or visas are not necessary for US citizens who may travel freely in and out of the island without going through immigration or customs. Foreign citizens have the same requirements as for entering the United States. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau can assist with the State Department in expediting visas. .
ISHIB2005 Sponsors Opportunities to support ISHIB2005 are still available. Please do not miss this opportunity. Your investment will provide measurable returns by aiding in continuing education of healthcare professionals while improving the care and quality of life for patients. Please contact the ISHIB2005 Conference Support Center at 404.880.0343 for additional information.	To unsubscribe from this mailing list email insider@ishib.org
Minority Health and Health Disparities Month Focuses on High Blood Pressure Many With High Blood Pressure Unaware of Risk for Kidney Disease April is Minority Health and Health Disparities Month. This year, the focus is on high blood pressure, a “silent killer” that affects more than 65 million Americans¾and more African Americans than other groups in the U.S. While many people are aware that undiagnosed or untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke, many don’t know that high blood pressure also is the second leading cause of kidney failure. In fact, high blood pressure and diabetes account for about 70 percent of new kidney failure cases. Kidney failure is a growing epidemic that disproportionately impacts African Americans. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one of the National Institutes of Health, African Americans are about four times more likely than Caucasians to develop kidney failure. This is due largely to the high levels of high blood pressure and diabetes among African Americans. “Most people are unaware of the connection between their high blood pressure or diabetes and kidney disease,” says Dr. Thomas Hostetter, director of the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP). “It’s important for people with either condition to get their kidneys tested and take steps to protect their kidney function.” Here’s what you can do to protect your kidneys: Control your high blood pressure and diabetes. Controlling these conditions can help reduce the stress on your heart and blood vessels, which contributes to kidney disease. Talk to your health care provider. Discuss your risk for kidney disease, testing, and how you can keep your kidneys healthy. Get tested. Ask your doctor to test your blood and urine for signs of kidney disease. The tests are simple, and are the only way to know for sure if you have kidney disease. Get treated. If the tests show that you have kidney disease, medications are available to help slow its progression or prevent kidney failure altogether. Your doctor may also want you to see a kidney specialist. To learn more, call toll free 1-866-4-KIDNEY or visit www.nkdep.nih.gov. This article is provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Congratulations to the ISHIB 2005 Get-A-Member Recruitment Campaign winners! Thomas Motley, MD Eastmoreland Internal Medicine Memphis, TN Recruited: 5 new practicing healthcare professionals Prize: 1 night stay at Caribe Hilton Hotel Elijah Saunders, MD University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD Recruited: 1 practicing & 1 non-practicing healthcare professionals Prize: Spa or Tour during ISHIB2005 Our winners will be recognized during ISHIB2005 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 15-18, 2005. We hope Get-A-Member will continue to challenge you, our members, to become ambassadors of ISHIB. We have provided an online tool that will make it convenient for you to share ISHIB membership information with your colleagues. You may also recruit new members by word-of-mouth, but remember they have to include your name on their membership application in order for you to receive proper credit. Logon to our website for more information.	Could You Be the Next Winner? 2006 Get-A-Member Campaign will begin in the fall. More information about prizes and deadlines will be posted on our website after ISHIB2005 annual conference.
What’s New At ISHIB… Ethnicity & Disease: Here We Grow Again! Thanks to an ever-diligent research community and the growing reputation of Ethnicity & Disease, manuscripts have been received in record numbers by the journal’s editorial office at ISHIB during 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. With an overwhelming amount of submittals, as well as a peer review processing system designed for far fewer manuscripts, ISHIB staff has developed new measures to improve the manuscript and review system. We ask for your patience as the new system gets underway. If your manuscript is currently with the editorial office and you would like immediate status information, please feel free to contact Terry Jackson at terry-jackson@ishib.org. At the same time, we welcome new research and look forward to an exciting Volume 15 for 2005 and an even more comprehensive Volume 16 for 2006. With your support and continued interest in the journal, Ethnicity & Disease will continue to serve as a premier platform for research on disease patterns and solutions among ethnic minority populations.
ISHIB Launches Members Only and E&D Online Websites ISHIB has developed a Members Only site and E&D Online to increase involvement of its members and make research on health disparities in ethnic minority populations more accessible. The Members Only site functions as an excellent networking tool for our members by providing the opportunity to post grants/funding employment and recruitment and volunteering opportunities. In addition, the specialized site caters to our members with its navigation ease and tailored functionality. E&D Online will give members and subscribers full-text access to our international, peer-reviewed journal
Upcoming Events July 15-18, 2005 Caribe Hilton Hotel San Juan, Puerto Rico ISHIB’s 20th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference on Hypertension and Related Risk Factors in Ethnic Populations. Click here to register for ISHIB2005 May 14 World Hypertension Day May 14 Special Symposium: Hypertension in the African American Population ISHIB/ASH Joint Symposium San Francisco, California May 14-18 “20^th Annual ASH Scientific Meeting and Exposition” American Society of Hypertension San Francisco, California Visit ISHIB booth #618
ISHIB WELCOMES… New Members: ISHIB Welcomes New Staff Member: Noni Redding, MPH: Program Manager Noni Redding, MPH, joined ISHIB in January as a Program Manager after working as program coordinator for Bethune-Cookman College's Health Careers Program. Her exceptional programming skills enable her to serve ISHIB well by developing membership programs and incentives. She plays an integral role in the launching of the new Members Only and E&D Online websites, as well as continuing education accreditation, managing of various regional programs, and coordinating several workshops, meetings and activities for ISHIB2005.
ISHIB would like to extend a warm thank you to its corporate partners roundtable for their involvement and commitment to helping us expand our reach into the medical community. The goal of the council is to provide the major interface between ISHIB and its corporate partners, to chart the course for enhanced involvement of corporate supporters in ISHIB activities, and to identify new opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration and interaction. ISHIB Corporate Partners Roundtable Members