(CMA Alert, April 6, 2015 issue)
Western Health Care Leadership Academy speakers include author of “Emperor of All Maladies,” subject of Ken Burns documentary The 2015 Western Health Care Leadership Academy, to be held May 29-31, will feature special guest speaker Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies. The book is the focus of a recent three-part Ken Burns documentary that aired on PBS March 30 through April 1, 2015, which critics called “powerful and poignant.” Dr. Mukherjee is an oncologist, cancer researcher, and science writer who brought new insights into the causes and cures of cancer. In his book, Dr. Mukherjee gives readers a fascinating look into the origins and causes of cancer, its deadly effect on the human body, how it has virtually enveloped modern civilization and the epic battles that are taking place to control, cure, and conquer it. Dr. Mukherjee’s accomplishments as both a physician and author are powerful, illuminating, and inspiring. Attendees at this year’s Leadership Academy will have the chance to meet and speak with the author and other researchers about where the treatment of cancer may be going in the future. Joining the Academy’s discussions about cancer will be Patrick SoonShiong, MD. Recently featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Dr. Soon-Shiong is a visionary surgeon, medical researcher, businessman, philanthropist, and UCLA professor who invented the nation’s first FDA-approved nanoparticle delivery technology for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. He is currently the chairman and CEO of both the Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine and NantWorks, a network of companies developing leading-edge infrastructure and digital technologies to create a future of personalized treatments to manage cancer. Following Dr. Mukherjee’s and Dr. Soon-Shiong’s talks will be a panel discussion with both physicians, looking toward the future and what all hope will be the final chapter of the cancer story. Register for the Academy today with the VIP upgrade and enjoy “up close and personal” experiences with Dr. Mukherjee and keynote speaker Malcolm Gladwell, as well as benefits including express conference check-in and preferred seating. The 18th Annual Western Health Care Leadership Academy continues its mission of providing information and tools needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing health care environment. The conference will examine the most significant challenges facing health care today and present proven models and innovative approaches to transform your organization’s care delivery and business practices. This year’s event is set in the heart of Hollywood at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, just steps from the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars®) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For more information and to register, go to http://www.western-leadershipacademy.com.
(CMA Alert, April 6, 2015 issue)
April is National Donate Life Month; physicians encouraged to talk to patients about the importance of organ donation In honor of Donate Life Month, the California Medical Association (CMA) and the CMA Foundation are encouraging physicians to talk to their patients about the importance of organ and tissue donation, particularly in underserved ethnic communities. More than 123,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant in the United States, with more than 22,000 living in California. Each day, an average of 150 people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list. Unfortunately, an average of 21 patients on the waiting list die each day. What you can do: Visit the Donate Life California website, www.donatelifecalifornia. org and sign up to become a donor yourself, if you haven’t already done so. If you already registered via the Department of Motor Vehicles, you can also access/update your registry data. Educate patients about the benefits of becoming a donor. Talk to them about the lifesaving importance of organ and tissue donation and encourage them to register to become an organ donor at www.donatelifecalifornia.org. Donate Life California is the state authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing California’s Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. The registry is a confidential database of donation wishes to be carried out at the time of death. Visit www.donatelifecalifornia.org for more information on how you can get involved. MARCH / APRIL 2015 | THE BULLETIN | 39