ASH-EHA Policy Forum

Title: Preparing for Disaster. Date & Time: Dec 9, 2007, 12:30 – 14:30. Room: Hall A1

Co-Chairs: Andrew I Schafer, MD, President, American Society of Hematology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY

Willem E Fibbe, MD, PhD, President European Hematology Association, LeidenUniversityMedicalCenter, Leiden, Netherlands

Speakers: Donald E Low, MD, FRCPC, Toronto Medical Laboratories and Mount SinaiHospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Albert Osterhaus, DVM, PhD, ErasmusMedicalCenter, Rotterdam, Netherlands

No one knows when the next public health crisis will occur but we do know that natural or manmade disasters will strike again. Hematologists have been integral to addressing past medical emergencies and can play a pivotal role in future challenges. This session on emergency preparedness is designed to be informative and provocative -- posing questions hematologists should consider before the next SARS, Avian Infuenza, or other disaster strikes. Dr Low will offer his unique perspective about the challenges faced in Toronto with the SARS epidemic. Dr Osterhaus, known for his research on the impact of viruses that cross the species barrier, will share his expertise in working with epidemics.

This forum is a joint venture between ASH and the European Hematology Association; for the past several years, ASH and EHA have identified issues that are important to hematologists from countries around the world. Join us to become informed and participate in the question and answer period that will follow the speaker presentations.