Fourth Annual Public Interest Organization Meeting

When: February 5, 2003
Where: Bethesda, MD
Institute: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Representatives of 49 public organizations met on February 5 to exchange ideas with one another and with NHLBI staff; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council members; and leaders of professional societies. The meeting provided opportunities for organization representatives to explore collaborations with professional and public groups and with the NHLBI.

The meeting began with an enthusiastic discussion, led by Dr. Elias Zerhouni Director, NIH, about future directions for NIH programs. Next, representatives engaged in a roundtable on the development of workshops and conferences. That session was led by NHLBI staff and Ms. Paula Polite, President, Sarcoidosis Research Institute; Ms. Lorna Stevens, President and Co-founder, Neutropenia Support Association; and Ms. Sue Byrnes, Executive Director, LAM Foundation and member, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. Later, Ms. Virginia Ladd, President and Executive Director, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, presented a case study on how organizations can collaborate to get their messages heard, and Dr. Richard Cannon, Clinical Director, NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, described ongoing research activities related to the potential of stem cells for treatment of ischemic heart disease. The bulk of the afternoon consisted of concurrent community forums moderated by NHLBI staff and leaders from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, American Thoracic Society, and American Society of Hematology, followed by a question-and-answer session with Dr. Claude Lenfant, Director, NHLBI.

Next Steps:
A meeting summary will be available at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/public/pinterest.htm.

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