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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

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Current Topics in Family Medicine and Neurology

7-Night Alaska Cruise
Round-trip Seattle, Washington
July 24 - 31, 2020
<em>Celebrity Solstice</em>
Celebrity Solstice
14.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
14 ACPE Credits
Up to 7 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
1½ Hours of Pharmacology for NPs
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives
The purpose of the neurology component of Current Topics in Family Medicine and Neurology is to acquaint the attendees with a broad range of neurologic topics including The Neurological Exam, When to Worry About a Headache, Peripheral Neuropathy, Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, Back and Lower Limb Pain, Autonomic Disorders and Disorders of Muscle. The course will include clinically relevant new information designed to improve the level of neurology care the attendee can provide to the patients under their care and provide a resource for future reference in the the syllabus of slides provided to each attendee.

Increased knowledge base is imperative for primary care providers as it relates to improved quality in the care of patients as well as transitions over time in the medical field. 'Keeping up'with medical practice is not enough; one must be well positioned to learn about new advancements and integrate as appropriate to ones practice and patient care by re-learning (or sometimes un-learning) techniques that are no longer standard of care. Cost effective considerations must be part of the decision-making process while the medical community continues to move towards higher quality, positive impact, and value-based care.

Topics:
  1. The Neurological Exam
    • Cite the key elements of the neurological examination
  2. When to Worry About a Headache
    • List the symptoms and signs which indicate a life-threatening headache
  3. Peripheral Neuropathy
    • Name the major patterns of peripheral neuropathy and how to categorize them clinically
  4. Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
    • Describe an algorithm to help individuals with chronic neuropathic pain management
  5. Back and Lower Limb Pain
    • Name the factors which point to neurologic vs. musculoskeletal and sclerotomal low back and lower limb pain
  6. Autonomic Disorders
    • Describe how problems with the autonomic nervous system present and can be classified
  7. Disorders of Muscle
    • Recite the major categories of muscle disease and how these might present in general medical practice
  8. PCOS
    • Risk modification may influence long term management so it is necessary to diagnose and treat. Further, treatment options are dependent on patient desired outcome and should be considered.
  9. Cystic Fibrosis
    • New long-term treatment modalities and medications can be considered and may be newer options for consideration of primary care management.
  10. Abnormal Skin Lesions
    • Recognition of abnormal skin lesions and management remains a key perspective of primary care. Specific to melanoma, treatment has transitioned and guidelines related to cancer screening, surveillance, and treatment have additional considerations.
  11. Depression
    • Depression and behavioral integration into patient centered medical home consideration and federally qualified health centers continue to be a priority. Recognition of mental illness as a comorbidity of chronic health care conditions along with screening, diagnosis, and treatment are cornerstones of management.
  12. Medical ethics and end-of-life care decisions
    • Medical, ethical, and end-of-life care decisions impact the care of patients and often have providers questioning personal beliefs while integrating medical knowledge and evidence-based practice, keeping an eye on cost effective care. Integration of case studies will be utilized to demonstrate application of medical knowledge base with practical ideas.
  13. Amenorrhea
    • Describe the most common etiologies of primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Be able to perform an appropriate diagnostic approach to the patient presenting with amenorrhea. Minimize long term risk factors associated with abnormal or irregular menstrual cycles.
  14. Dysmenorrhea
    • Know the differences between primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Discuss the signs, symptoms, and differential diagnosis for dysmenorrhea.
Conference Sessions generally take place on days at sea (as itinerary allows), giving you plenty of time to enjoy your meals, evenings and ports of call with your companion, family and friends.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All conferees, their families, and guests must book their cruise within the University at Sea® meeting group through University at Sea® at 800-926-3775 or by registering online. This ensures our company can provide conference services and complimentary social amenities to all meeting participants and their guests. Thank you for your cooperation.
Faculty

Benn E. Smith, MD, FAAN, FANA

Benn E. Smith, MD, FAAN, FANA
Associate Professor 
Department of Neurology 
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Mayo Clinic
Scottsdale, AZ

Ann M. Karty, MD, MBA, FAAFP

Ann M. Karty, MD, MBA, FAAFP
Medical Director with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences; Kansas City, MO Past Medical Director, CME Division, America Academy of Family Physicians
  Doctor Karty is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She holds medical licenses in Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina and Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and a medical degree from the University of Missouri ‐ Kansas City School of Medicine and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas ‐ School of Business. 

Dr. Karty joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (BlueKC) as Medical Director in 2016. Previously, Dr. Karty served as Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, both located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

Dr. Karty served as the Medical Director in the Continuing Medical Education Division at the American Academy of Family Physicians, having been a member of that organization throughout her medical career, joining in the late 1980's. In addition to creating innovative educational formats, planning CME meetings, and AAFP governance, she represented the Academy at national organizations including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Brookings Institute, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), and just completed a multi-year term as Co-Chair of the Inter-Society Coordinating Committee (ISCC) of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a team highlighting integration of practitioner education and genomics around the world.

Dr. Karty has moderated meetings, both nationally and internationally throughout her career, and served as a member representative on a Gender Equity in Medical Testing Consensus Group meeting at Georgetown University for Hadassah, helping to craft legislative policy supporting the work of that team, while also serving as co-chair for the National Hadassah Physicians’ Council and helping to create continuing medical education meetings in Israel and serving the Greater Kansas City Hadassah as the Vice President of Membership. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Congregation Beth Shalom and is the Vice President of Programming, as well as a leadership position with the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Johnson County Mental Health (in Johnson County, Kansas).

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.

Cruise Itinerary

DATE PORT OF CALL ARRIVE DEPART
Fri Jul 24 Seattle, Washington
- 4:00 pm
Sat Jul 25 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Jul 26 Ketchikan, Alaska
7:00 am 4:00 pm
Mon Jul 27 Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
5:30 am 10:00 am
Mon Jul 27 Juneau, Alaska
1:30 pm 10:00 pm
Tue Jul 28 Skagway, Alaska
7:00 am 6:00 pm
Tue Jul 28 Alaska Inside Passage
6:30 pm 10:30 pm
Wed Jul 29 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Thu Jul 30 Victoria, British Columbia
5:30 pm 11:59 pm
Fri Jul 31 Seattle, Washington
6:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

Seattle, Washington - Sailing out on a cruise from Seattle? Make sure you spend a few a days in the beautiful Emerald City. If you’re a nature lover, this jewel in the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place for you to explore ahead of your cruise vacation. Though it offers plenty of metropolitan delights — think great restaurants, bars, a ton of shopping and lots (and lots) of hip coffee shops — Seattle is a big city with a wild, great-outdoors soul. It’s surrounded by ancient forests, sprawling public parks and, of course, the misty Puget Sound, where you can slow-moving tugboats, sleek kayaks and the occasional pod of whales. Head to Discovery Park for beautiful views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges or visit the Olympic Sculpture Park near Elliott Bay. And if you’re craving a drink and a tasty bite to eat, head to one of Seattle’s many rooftop bars and take advantage of those extra-long northern summer days while you sip local brews and expertly crafted cocktails.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier - One of Alaska's lesser-known gems, Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of Fords Terror Wilderness area. As you drift through its 30 -mile-long stretch, you can't help but be awed by the sorrounding granite cliffs, mountain valleys and dozens of gushing waterfalls. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle's appeal.

Skagway, Alaska - The tiny town of Skagway still looks like it did during the Klondike Gold Rush over 100 years ago— and today it remains an outpost for thrilling Alaskan adventure. An old-time street car ride along bustling Broadway Street reveals well-preserved buildings, including the state’s oldest hotel. You can see engraved walrus tusks at the Corrington Museum, or get lost in riveting historical reenactments around town. If outdoor adventure is more your thing, there are plenty of ways to amp up the adrenaline, from sledding with Alaskan Huskies on Laughton Glacier to rafting Lynn Canal, the longest fjord in North America.

Victoria, British Columbia - Though Toronto and Vancouver are the more famous Canadian destinations, it’s high time for the sophisticated and beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia (BC) to have its big moment. The quaint charm and English manners of Victoria will take you back in time to the days of British occupation in the 19th century. Victoria is known as “the garden city” for its lushness and its commitment to keeping the city beautiful. Head to Butchart Garden or Beacon Hill Park to enjoy nature during your time in port.

Of course, a little history lesson is another must while on a cruise to Victoria, BC. Tour the expertly maintained Craigdarroch Castle and the Parliament Buildings, or stop in the Royal BC Museum, a natural history museum dedicated to the history of human settlement in the region. There’s also the Emily Carr House, a museum dedicated to the life and works of the famous painter, Emily Carr. Victoria exudes an intellectualism where art galleries and afternoon tea await you, but so do long bicycle rides along the seafront. Stylish cafes and restaurants are modernizing the city, all while maintaining its signature look: something straight out of a postcard.

Non-Americans/Canadians, please Click Here to determine if you'll need a visa to board this cruise, which visits Canada

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Please note that our shore excursions are operated separately and
independently of those offered by the cruise line.
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