FYI from the NHLBI Index

May 2010: Vol. 11, Issue 1
Feature Article

NHLBI to Host 11th Annual PIO Meeting

NHLBI to Host 11th Annual PIO Meeting

The NHLBI will hold its Eleventh Annual Public Interest Organization (PIO) meeting on May 24–25, 2010, at the Bethesda Marriott on Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda, Maryland. PIO attendees of the previous annual meetings have praised the events for the unique opportunities they provide to learn more about how the NIH and the NHLBI work, to meet NIH and NHLBI leaders, and to interact with their counterparts in other PIOs.

This year’s meeting, which will focus on timely, important topics relevant to all attendees, promises to be another great opportunity for PIO representatives to share insights and exchange information that will be helpful in sustaining their organizations. This year’s program agenda again provides a significant amount of planned time for networking with members from other PIOs as well as with NHLBI staff.

The meeting will begin Monday afternoon, May 24, with a keynote address by Dr. Francis S. Collins, who was sworn in as the 16th NIH Director on August 17, 2009.

On Tuesday, May 25, the program will begin with a presentation by Dr. Susan B. Shurin, Acting Director, NHLBI, and will feature an array of speakers from PIOs, the NHLBI, and the NIH.

A presentation by Dr. Keith Hoots, Director of the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources; Dr. James Kiley, Director of the Division of Lung Diseases; and Dr. Michael Lauer, Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, will include a discussion of the NHLBI’s use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

An important discussion on the contemporary issue of the role of social networking in raising public awareness will be led by Mr. John Burklow, of the NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison, and Ms. Angelina Wang, of the National Hemophilia Foundation.

Another highlight of the meeting will be roundtable discussions on the topics of Reaching Out to Patients, led by Ms. Barbara Rogers, President and CEO of the National Emphysema/COPD Alliance; Using Good Business Management Principles and Practices in Your Organization, led by Mr. Chris Chiames, Executive Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association; Bringing a Scientific Professional to Your Organization, led by Dr. Matthew Toth, Science Director of the Barth Syndrome Foundation; and Stimulating Research, led by Dr. Eveline Honig, Executive Director of the Narcolepsy Network.

The afternoon highlights will include a scientific presentation – The Story of Sickle Cell Disease – given by Dr. Alan Schechter of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The patient perspective on sickle cell will be addressed by Dr. Carlton Haywood Jr. of Johns Hopkins University.

Additionally, Dr. Story Landis, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dr. Robert Balaban, Director of the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, will review stem cell science and the revised NIH stem cell policy.

The meeting will close with an opportunity for PIO representatives to meet NHLBI staff members who have expertise in heart development and diseases, vascular diseases, lung diseases, airway diseases, blood diseases and resources, and sleep and sleep disorders.

Please send us your feedback, comments, and questions by using the appropriate link on the page, Contact the NHLBI.

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