LOS ANGELES RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

60TH ANNUAL MIDWINTER RADIOLOGY CONFERENCE

January 26-27, 2008
Universal City, Los Angeles, CA

Pre-registration is no longer available for this conference.  Onsite registration begins at 7:00am Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, 2008

Conference Program
Brochure
Exhibit Guide
Faculty/Conference Planner Financial Disclosure
Printable Information Page

Tracks:
Head and Neck Imaging
MSK Imaging Challenges
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Track is Saturday only.

Resident's Forum:  John C. Carpenter, Esq.
Employment Contracts in Partnership Agreements:
How to Protect Yourself
Sunday, January 27, 2008

Hosted Luncheon
Saturday, January 26, 2008

Two Self Assessment Modules (SAM) have been qualified by the ABR in meeting the criteria for self-assessment toward the purpose of fulfilling requirements in the ABR Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC):

SAM on Nuclear Medicine:  Saturday, January 26, 1:00pm
Presented by George Segall, MD. This has also been submitted to the ABNM for qualification.

SAM on Neuroradiology - Temporal Bone Pathology:  Sunday, January 27, 2:00pm.  Presented by Richard H. Wiggins, MD

CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

This 2-day conference offers concurrent educational programs in Radiology and Radiation Oncology.  The concurrent format provides participants with the opportunity to design an individualized program to meet their unique educational needs and interests.

Program Features

New in 2008!

§    Interactive Sessions – Select Sunday sessions will incorporate automatic response technology.  Our objective is to increase interaction between the conference audience and our expert speakers, with the net result of improved comprehension and retention.

§    Self-Assessment Modules – Plans for offering Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) are underway for 2008.  Our goal is to offer a Radiation Oncology and a Neuroradiology SAM.  We are working with our speakers to complete the application process and will provide updates on our website as they become available. 

Annual Traditions!

§    A Conjoint Radiology & Radiation Oncology Session featuring the 2008 Isaac Sanders Honorary Lecturer, David S.K. Lu, MD of UCLA and Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD of Hoag Memorial Hospital will open Sunday’s schedule.

§    Resident’s Forum – The focus of our 3^rd Annual Forum, a luncheon session planned specifically for Residents and Fellows, will be “Employment Law and Partnership Agreements: How to Protect Yourself.” presented by John C. Carpenter, Esq. of the Law Offices of John C. Carpenter, Pasadena, CA.

§    Commercial exhibit hall where you can view the latest radiology and radiation oncology products while networking with your friends and colleagues.  All refreshment breaks will be held in the exhibit hall.

Program Co-Chairs

George J. So, MD, MSE
Senior Diagnostic Representative,
LARS Continuing Education Committee
Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology
David Geffen School of Medicine of UCLA

Elizabeth O. Westfall, MD
Diagnostic Representative,
LARS Continuing Education Committee
Vice Chair of the Department of Radiology
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ.

Head & Neck Imaging

Patricia A. Hudgins, MD
Professor of Radiology
Director of Head and Neck Radiology
Emory University School of Medicine

William W.M. Lo, MD, FACR
Clinical Professor of Radiology
Keck School of Medicine of USC
University of California San Diego

Charles J. Schatz, MD, FACR
Beverly Tower Wilshire Advanced Imaging

Wendy R.K. Smoker, MD, FACR
Professor of Radiology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery
Director of Neuroradiology, Co-Director, MRI
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Richard H. Wiggins, III, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology and Oncology
Director of Imaging Informatics
Medical Administrator of PACS, Director Radiology ITS
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah

MSK Imaging Challenges

Kenneth A. Buckwalter, MD
ProfessorIndiana University School of Medicine

George Nomikos, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology
NYU Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and Hospitals Center
NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute

Mark E. Schweitzer, MD
Professor of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery
NYU Medical Center
School of Medicine and Hospitals Center

David W. Stoller, MD
Director, California Advanced Imaging and MRI
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
Director, National Orthopaedic Imaging Associates

Josef Machac, MD
Professor of Radiology
Associate Professor of Medicine/Cardiology
Mount Sinai Medical Center

Mark E. Schweitzer, MD
Professor of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery
NYU Medical Center
School of Medicine and Hospitals Center

George Segall, MD
Chief, VA Nuclear Medicine Clinic
VA Palo Alto Health Care Systems
Professor of Radiology
Stanford University School of Medicine

Daniel Silverman, MD, PhD
Head, Neuronuclear Imaging Section
Professor, Dept. of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD, FACR
Medical Director of Radiology
Hoag Memorial Hospital
Adjunct Professor of Radiology
Stanford University School of Medicine

David S.K. Lu, MD
Director, CT and Director, Cross Sectional IR,
UCLA Liver Tumor Ablation Program,
Section Chief, Cross Sectional Interventional Radiology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Residents’ Forum

John C. Carpenter, Esq.
Law Offices of John C. Carpenter
Pasadena, CA

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Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the Joint Session with Radiation Oncology participants will take to their practice:

§    A review of indications for and update regarding state-of-the art techniques in interventional oncology that can be applied to their daily practice.

§    A review of the evolving regulatory, political, and economic environments shaping the practice of radiology/radiation oncology with examples of how patient-centered care can help us adapt, survive, and thrive.

At the conclusion of the Head and Neck Imaging track, participants will be able to:

§Select appropriate protocols for MRI imaging of the joints and accurately interpret the findings in MRIs of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle in order to distinguish normal findings, normal variants, and pathology

Design MR protocols in order to successfully interpret the imaging challenges of soft tissue tumors, bone tumors and patients with orthopedic hardware.

Discuss the role of MDCT images in order to effectively utilize it when evaluating small joints, evaluating orthopedic hardware, and performing CT Arthography

Select CT and MR imaging protocols in order to optimize imaging of orthopedic hardware..

At the conclusion of the Musculoskeletal Imaging Challenges track, participants will be able to:

§    Identify the normal anatomy of the knee, shoulder, hip, wrist and ankle,

§    Select appropriate protocols for MRI of the musculoskeletal system in order to produce optimal MRI results,

§    Interpret MRI findings of the knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, in order to distinguish normal, normal variants, or pathology,

§    Select protocols to produce optimal MR images for the evaluation and interpretation of soft tissue tumors, bone tumors, and patients with orthopedic hardware,

§    Select and apply techniques to optimize the quality of MDCT images,

§    Select and apply techniques to perform and optimize CT Arthrography.

At the conclusion of the Nuclear Medicine track, participants will be able to:

§    Apply techniques for the use of PET and PET/CT in the evaluation of a variety of pathologies including cardiac disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, epilepsy and brain tumors, and thyroid cancer, including selection of protocols, interpretation of images, and recognition of limitations and pitfalls

§    Effectively integrate PET/CT in the cardiac imaging workup, with emphasis on role and limitations of CT

§    Apply PET, PET/CT and SPECT/CT in a multimodality approach to the evaluation of disease.

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Who Should Attend

This conference has been designed primarily to address the educational needs of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists practicing in California.  We welcome other physicians and specialists with an interest in Head and Neck Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and/or treatment of Head and Neck, Lymphoma, and Prostate cancer.

§    Radiologic technologists with specialization in CT, MR or Nuclear Medicine are encouraged to attend.

§    Practitioners such as physicists and radiation therapists with a concern for providing the best and safest radiation therapy to patients are also encouraged to attend.

CME

The Los Angeles Radiological Society (LARS) is accredited by the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association (IMQ/CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  LARS takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

LARS designates the Radiology Program portion of this educational activity for a maximum of 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and the Radiation Oncology Program portion of this educational activity for a maximum of 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  This credit may also be applied to the CMA Certification in Continuing Medical Education.

Technologist Continuing Education Credits – This conference has been approved by the ASRT for a maximum of 13.5 Category A CME.  Those attending the Saturday Nuclear Medicine track only may receive a maximum 6 Category A CME.  VOICE participants who attend programs approved for continuing education by the ASRT can submit documentation and have those credits added to their VOICE transcript. 

The 60^th Annual Midwinter Conference has been planned in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Elements and Accreditation Policies.  Further, this activity is in compliance with the California Legislature and ACCME definitions of CME Content, and California Assembly Bill 1195 which requires CME activities with patient care components to include curriculum in the subjects of cultural and linguistic competency.  LARS accepts responsibility for validating the clinical content of this CME activity.

Registration - Pre-registration is no longer available for this conference.  Onsite registration begins at 7:00am Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, 2008.

Three ways to register:

• Register online at our secure site with Mastercard or Visa
• Download a registration form and fax or mail your registration with payment (check, MasterCard, Visa)
• Mail the registration form from your conference brochure with payment (check, MasterCard, Visa).

We can not finalize registration forms not accompanied by payment.

LARS members must have paid 2008 dues invoice to register at discounted member level tuition.

Nonmembers may join LARS and register at discounted member level tuition.

• Download membership application and email, fax or mail to LARS
• Pay membership dues online.
• Register for conference at member level tuition.

Membership applications can not be processed without dues payment. 

Registration Hours & Conference Materials

The conference registration desk will be open Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am to 5:30pm.  Please arrive early each morning to allow time for sign-in and registration for audience response devices and SAM participation.

Location and Accommodations

333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 980-1212
Get directions

For Reservations: Contact the Sheraton Universal directly at (818) 980-1212 or (800) 325-3535 or reserve online http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/MRA23A
 

Special Conference Rates  - $167 Single/Double Occupancy.  Reserve before 5:00pm, Friday, January 4, 2008 and identify yourself as a participant in the Midwinter Conference to secure these rates.  Rates quoted do not include applicable tax of 14%

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Experience Hollywood…Universal Studios Hollywood.  Get an inside look at the sets and uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of legendary films on the Studio Tour.  Then cast yourself in the thrilling rides, shows and attractions that bring movie action to life in Universal Studios Themepark.  Finish your day with LA’s coolest restaurants, clubs and fun at Universal CityWalk®.  For details visit Universal Studios Hollywood website at www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Other attractions to explore while in Los Angeles include…

• Famous Mullholland Drive – a winding tour along the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains offers sensational views of the city, valley, and the home of the stars.

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• Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana – Founded in 1797, is an important member of a chain of 21 California missions established by Franciscan friars.

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• Griffith Park – a 4,000-acre nature refuge in the middle of Los Angeles that holds the Autry National Center, the Museum of the American West, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the recently renovated Observatory and Planetarium.

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• Shopping in the historic neighborhoods of LA including the Hollywood + Highland Center in the heart of Hollywood, The Grove at the Original Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax or the legendary shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

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Deadlines

Registration will be accepted in the LARS Office until 5:00pm, Wednesday, January 16 - to ensure receipt by the cut-off, mailed forms must be postmarked no later than Friday, January 11.  Do not fax registration forms after January 16 – they will not be processed.  Registration will resume at the conference hotel, January 26, but will be assessed a $20 Onsite Fee.   

Hotel reservations must be made by 5:00pm (PST), January 4, 2008 to receive discounted conference rates.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellations by email or fax must be made by 5:00pm (PST), January 16 with “MW Cancellation” noted in the subject line.  Mailed cancellations must be postmarked on or before January 11, 2008.  Registration fee, less a $30 handling fee, will be refunded after the conference.  Cancellations made AFTER these deadlines are not eligible for refunds.

Registration can be transferred if requested by the original registrant, in writing, prior to January 16, 2008.

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Food & Beverage

Coffee breaks twice daily and a hosted luncheon on Saturday are included in the registration fee.  Breakfast throughout the conference and lunch on Sunday are on your own.  Universal City Walk offers many restaurants and is a short, uphill walk from the hotel – or take advantage of the shuttle which departs the hotel lobby entrance every 15 minutes.  Convenient alternatives to the City Walk include the Sheraton’s restaurant, “Californias” located adjacent to the pool or the Hilton’s restaurant, Café Sierra, featuring an extensive brunch buffet.

City walk dining and fast food.

Parking

The Sheraton Universal Hotel will offer convention Self-Parking rates of $10 daily/ $16 overnight and convention Valet Parking rates of $14 daily/ $21 overnight.

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Conference Attire – IMPORTANT

Meeting room temperatures vary greatly within each room.  For your comfort, be prepared for cold-spots and bring a sweater or jacket.  Dress for the meeting is business casual.

Last updated: 01/24/2008