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THE 2ND ASPNR MEETING IN MIAMI – IN REVIEW
THE 2ND ASPNR MEETING 2020, MIAMI BEACH – IN REVIEW.
“If it’s January, it’s ASPNR!”
Hurray for a FANTASTIC 2nd Annual ASPNR Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida!!
The ASPNR Miami meeting was wildly successful, beyond expectations!! Attendance set a record and beat projections. The Eden Roc Hotel room block sold out early, we increased our room block 2 more times – until the hotel said “no more”, and both the Pre-event “Insider’s Art Tour of Miami” and our Saturday evening Gala on the Grand Floridian Yacht, were at full capacity. Demand was high! The Grand Floridian was ours exclusively and we cruised Biscayne Bay while enjoying cocktails and dinner and danced the night away to the lively rhythms of the Marisela y Norberto Cuban Band.
The meeting program was intense, dense, high-paced, and jam-packed with clinically relevant lectures about all things related to pediatric neuroimaging. We had an All-Star lineup of American and international speakers- the best and the brightest our pediatric neuroradiology discipline has to offer and attendees appreciated the short, intense deep dives into various aspects of pedie neuro imaging. Attendee reviews were overwhelmingly positive, in all regards.
The Meeting By Numbers: 66 speakers from around the world; 30 moderators; 18 oral scientific abstract presentations;109 scientific and educational posters; 3 Cases of the Day, and 450+ meeting registrants that included 65 fellows, residents, and medical students (yea!), and many, many, international registrants (wonderful!).
Meeting highlights included an in-depth lecture by our Keynote Speaker Dr. Thomas Naidich on Spinal Dyraphisms; an insightful journey into Creativity and the Brain by Dr. Philip Pearl – with an onstage demo of musical creativity and jazz improvisation; a look-back on Neuroradiology Practice from the 70’s to the 20’s by Dr. Gilbert Vezina, our 2020 ASPNR Gold Medal Award Recipient (who remembers metrizamide studies and direct carotid sticks?!?); a fascinating lecture on Multiple Sclerosis in Children by Dr. Brenda Banwell (are children with MS really “old” adults?) in honor of the phenomenal late Dr. Charles Fitz, and an engaging discussion on the Pathological Evidence of Leukodystrophies by Dr. Mariana Bugiani (this update threw a monkey wrench in long-held beliefs!). No less a highlight were the ever-popular and engaging Rapid Fire Sessions, where audience participants tested their diagnostic acumen, and the super fun Gameshow “Name that Syndrome” hosted by Doctors Dave Mirsky and Carolina Guimaraes, where Team Myelin battled Team Neuron and Doctors Amy Danehy, Charlie Glasier, Barry Rabin, and Jason Wright were the VICTORS!
In the Vendor Hall, there was an opportunity to engage with our 19 industry partners to better understand how their products can help us perform better. Their much-appreciated support make our meetings possible.
The 3D printing booth,(click here) spearheaded by Dr. Sanjay Prabhu, displayed 60 3D models from participating institutions; Dr. Jonathan Ashmore from NHS Highland, Scotland sent his team across the Atlantic to share their virtual mock MRI application (its free!) that can aid in reducing sedation rates in children undergoing MRI; our colorful ASPNR Membership Booth, coordinated by our new membership services company Northwest Imaging Forums, featured “Surf the Wave” pop-up photo ops; there were opportunities to get your professional head shot taken in the photo studio booth (buff up that CV!); and our Friday evening cocktail reception was supported by the lovely Kristina Finch, who shared her musical talents on the harp with our guests.
It was wonderful to see so many people catching up with old friends and meeting new ones (“Hey, I follow you on Twitter!”) in the meeting room, poster hall, and vendor space.
Most importantly, it was clear to all who attended the meeting that the 2nd ASPNR meeting was a meeting BY the pediatric neuroradiology community FOR the pediatric neuroradiology community. This vibrant gathering in Miami clearly showed us that the ASPNR and the pediatric neuroradiology community are young, vibrant, energized, and growing, AND that Learning can be Fun!
We are thankful that Tropical Storm Jacob was kind and arrived late to Miami, and we want to give special thanks to our Program Chair Michelle Silvera MD, our dedicated 2020 Organizing Committee, our Industry Sponsors, and our meeting organizing company Educational Symposia (Bethany Satter and Letty Carroll) – it was a team effort that brought this Miami meeting to life and steered it to a successful conclusion!
So in a nutshell, if you are looking for a great meeting, in a fantastic location, with outstanding content, connecting friends and colleagues in fun and fellowship, then the ASPNR and San Diego, January 15-17, 2021 is your answer! We will see you in San Diego for our 3rd Birthday!! — and as always, “If it’s January, it’s ASPNR”.
COMMENTS FROM THE EXIT SURVEY
