125 attended the 11th Annual “Current Topics in Practical Pathology” All Day Program which featured Dr. M. Kathleen Washington from Vanderbilt University as well as our own Dr. Charles Lassman, who had invited two fellow UCLA physicians, Dr. Francisco Durazo, an Internist and Dr. David Lu, a Radiologist, to advise on specific aspects of interest to the Pathologist related to the liver and its treatment.

Following the morning presentations, Dr. Victoria Cortessis, Assistant Professor, Keck School of Medicine, presented a short S.E.E.R. research update as is customary. Her presentation was entitled ”Epigenetic disruption of the germline: Possible cause of male subfertility and insight into testis cancer etiology”.

Of great import was the presentation at lunch of the Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to Drs. Nora Sun and Thomas Noguchi, both of whom spoke of each’s educational journey, challenges, loves and rewards which have resulted from their choice of Pathology as a career. Each thanked the Society for their receipt of this Lifetime Achievement Award. Drs. Lakschmanan and Brynes introduced each with a fanfare and presented each with their plaque.

Following these presentations, Dr. Drachenberg announced that the Society would sadly be saying goodbye to two longtime Board Members in 2008 – Dr. John Craig, Secretary-Treasurer to the Society for 16 years and Mrs. Georgia Froberg, Society Administrative Support for over 20 years. Dr. Stephen Romansky presented a wine decanter to Dr. Craig upon which was engraved a Special Thank You and Dr. Drachenberg presented flowers and a special “Tiffany’s” gift to Ms. Froberg.

Dr. Craig took a short time to express his grief at the passing of Dr. Roger Terry, another of Pathology’s Great Ones, within the past two weeks (see the Announcement page for more details).

In closing, Dr. James Keefe, the Society’s CAP/LASOP International Exchange Educational Program facilitator, spoke of past achievements and future plans which have resulted from the Society’s support of this program.

If you wish a copy of any of January 19 program handouts, please fax request to 323 881-8601. Handouts available include:
 

- David Lu, M.D. -- Interventional Oncology: Tumor Ablation

- Francisco Durazo, M.D. -- Treatment of Hepatitis C/Chronic Hepatitis B

- Charles Lassman, M.D. -- Chronic Hepatitis, Diagnosis, Grading and Staging/Steatohepatitis Update

- Kay Washington, M.D. -- Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Precursor Lesions: Approach to Diagnosis/Distinguishing Hepatocellular Carcinoma from other Hepatic Primary Tumors and from Metastases.

Finally, it is important to thank Dr. Lawrence Weiss and Dr. Peigui Chu, both of whom were instrumental in making the arrangements to hold the All Day Program at City of Hope National Medical Center, Cooper Auditorium and Platt Conference Center. The facilities were wonderful, the lunch was fantastic and the support provided by that institution enviable.

Thank you City of Hope National Medical Center for the space, support and easily accessible parking.

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The following companies provided the support that helped make this program possible:

Cedars Sinai Outreach Services

Pathology Services at Cedars-Sinai provides a comprehensive test menu and consultations in diagnostic anatomic pathology, molecular pathology, hematopathology, immunohistochemistry, coagulation and cytogenetics. The Medical Center’s laboratories process more than 3.5 million tests per year including comprehensive molecular diagnostics, coagulation, cytogenetics testing and 47,000 surgicals. These services are provided in 53,000 square feet of state-of-the-art laboratories supported by approximately 450 staff.

Cedars-Sinai pathologists provide multidisciplinary consultative services to patients and physicians at the Medical Center. These same expert consultations are available to our referral colleagues. Pathology Services at Cedars-Sinai has gained a national reputation for accuracy, speed and responsiveness.

The pathology faculty is comprised of 40 MDs and PhDs. These professionals are known for their leadership in clinical diagnosis and pathology research. They are actively involved in education at the national level, perform cutting-edge research and publish in leading pathology journals. There is a strong teaching program with nearly 30 residents and fellows.

To refer a case for initial diagnosis or second opinion, or to arrange a phone consultation, please call (310) 423-6611.

AdvanDx, Inc
Mark Helak
562 253-2535 (Telephone)
781 376-0111 (Fax)
Mark.Helak@advandx.com

AdvanDx is a provider of in vitro diagnostic kits for the diagnosis of infectious diseases based on its proprietary PNA FISH technology. The PNA FISH product line is designed for rapid and accurate identification of micro-organisms in positive blood cultures.

A.G. Heinze Inc., Nikon
Dave Soholt
20291 Valencia Circle
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949 586-9000 (Telephone)
949 586-4809 (Fax)
Daves@agh.com

Clarient
Jack Jakubowski
31 Columbia
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949 425-5700 (Gen Telephone)
949 425-5701 (Fax)
jjakubowski@clarientinc.com

Elsevier Inc (Harcourt Health Sciences/Saunders/Moseby Books)
Ryan Woodford
949 929-4717
r.woodford@elsevier.com

GGB Medical Management Services, Inc.
Gerrick S. Gonzales, Director of Client Services
818 718-9505 ext. 276
818 341-8430 fax

GGB Medical Management Services is dedicated to the exclusive billing of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with over 20 years proven experience. Our approach for billing, collections and customer service is unparalleled; that is what sets us apart from others. At GGB Medical Management, we believe in opening your Financial Possibilities.

Hologic Corporation
Charles Querriera
626 848-2513 (Cell)
626 332-3942 (Fax)

To view their educational website: http://www.cytologystuff.com
To view their cell block instrument: http://www.cellientsystem.com
To find a lab using the ThinPrep Imager: http://www.thinprep.com/find-an-imager/map.html

Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Sean Fee
818 363-0477 (Telephone)
603 372-0007 (Fax)
Sean.Fee@wolterskluwer.com

NeoGenomics
Julie Manangan
714 865-4869 (Telephone)
818 932-9085 (Fax)
jramage@neogenomics.org

Olympus America Inc.
Rick Davis
Olympus America
Scientific Equipment Group
5764 Pacific Center Blvd., Suite 109
San Diego, CA 92121
562 884-7705 (Cell)
562 425-2988 (Telephone)
562 425-2947 (Fax)
800 446-5967 (VM)
rick.davis@olympus.com  (E.Mail)

Optical Services Co.
Charlie Podvin, 14445 High Valley Rd., Poway, CA 92064-2705
858 679-0522 (Telephone)
podvin@cox.net  (E-Mail)

Optical Services Company designs and manufactures components to adapt digital single lens reflex cameras to all kinds of microscopes. In addition, we service and repair microscopes, are a dealer for Meiji microscopes, and provide film to digital image conversion services.

Quest

Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com

SEER – Slide Retrieval Program
Wendy Cozen, DO
wcozen@usc.edu

Dee Terry – Slide Retrieval Coordinator
dterry@usc.edu
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
1441 Eastlake Avenue, MC 9175
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9175
323 865-0534 (Telephone)
323 865-3168 (Fax)

UCLA Pathology Outreach Services

UCLA Pathology Outreach Services is pleased to support LASOP's annual
educational program. We offer our consult service and reference testing to other laboratorians throughout southern California. We offer excellent TAT and pricing for cytogenetics, flow cytometry and molecular pathology. We invite you to learn more by calling Rich Barfield at (310) 869-4058.