Title: HIV/AIDS Program in San Francisco
Author:
Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS
Issue Date:
The HIV/AIDS Section was thrilled (and somewhat overwhelmed!) to receive 455 abstract submissions for this year’s APHA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. This year the Section received 17 oral sessions, 3 roundtable opportunities and 9 poster slots on the program. Obviously, many very good abstracts could not be accepted, and the 107 abstract reviewers found making recommendations very difficult. The end result is, I believe, an outstanding program for the 2003 APHA Annual Meeting. In addition, at the Section’s midyear leadership meeting at APHA Headquarters in D.C., the Section was awarded a special session for a dialogue on the CDC’s new prevention initiatives, which will be held on Tuesday, November 18 from 4:30-6 p.m. .
You may view the full listing of sessions at <www.apha.org/meetings>. The Program Committee is especially pleased that this year we will be offering three international sessions and one international poster session, in addition to several presentations on special populations impacted by the epidemic. These topics are in addition to the more traditional scientific offerings, which are also on the schedule. The Section will also be co-sponsoring many sessions with a wide variety of other Sections, SPIGs, and Caucuses.
The Section offers its thanks to the 107 reviewers, who had a very difficult job this year, and as Chair of the Program Committee, I offer thanks to my colleagues on the committee for their hard work and sound advice. Planning for the 2004 APHA Annual Meeting begins soon after the 2003 APHA Annual Meeting ends, so please stop by the Section booth and volunteer to be an abstract reviewer or stop by one of our business meetings and volunteer to help 2004 Program Chair Scott Smith.
Please join us for an outstanding program, informative business meetings, and two wonderful social opportunities -- Sunday night at AIDS Health Project, and our awards reception at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday night featuring Dr. Merv Silverman, former Health Director of San Francisco and Chairman of amfAR. You are encouraged to attend the Section’s first business meeting on Sunday, November 16th at 2 p.m. and participate in the committee meetings that follow at 4 p.m.. Please also make time for the second business meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. See you in San Francisco!