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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Topics in Infectious Diseases and Sports Medicine

10-Night Panama Canal Sunfarer
Round-trip Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
January 15 - 25, 2023
Holland America's <em> Eurodam</em>
Holland America's Eurodam
21.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
21 ACPE Credits
21.0 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
21.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees
$1095 for Physicians, Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, & Dentists
$850 for Physician Assistants
$695 for Nurses, Residents, Students & Others

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives

This educational activity will further the understanding of the learner about sports medicine topics. We will cover musculoskeletal issues so as to improve the comfort zone in dealing with common issues in athletes as well as weekend warriors. Medical professionals that attend these sessions will leave feeling comfortable recognizing and managing issues in young athletes and active adults. Along with the common conditions, we will also review some more complex "zebras" in the field of sports medicine..

  1. Stress fractures in athletes: Identifying low risk vs. high risk fracture
    • Analyze the causes behind this most common of overuse injuries and help identify common causes. Differentiate those fractures which are low vs. high risk
    • Describe the hallmark presentation of Jones fracture, tarsal navicular and proximal/anterior tibial stress fractures and femoral neck, and be aware of the implications of missing them.
  2. Spine Injuries in athletes: differentiating the workup and management in young athletes and adults
    • Determine a cost effective work-up algorithm for back pain in young athletes vs. skeletally immature
    • Determine the appropriate use of x-rays, MRI, bone scan and CTs.
  3. Ankle Sprains and foot, ankle/heel mimics
    • Recognize simple pediatric overuse injuries of the foot and ankle as timesavers for medical providers.
  4. A systematic approach to assessment of sports shoulder injuries
    • Explain a simple algorithm for the cost-effective work-up of shoulder injuries such as dislocation, separation, impingement and neurologic origin.
    • Differentiate and manage dislocated shoulder vs. separated shoulder.
  5. Initial evaluation and management of sports concussions
    • Analyze the current approach to ward timely diagnosis and initial management of sports related concussion
    • Be aware of factors that predispose athletes to prolonged recovery from sports concussion.
  6. Hand, finger, wrist injuries in athletes (including splinting vs. surgical approach)
    • Discuss A systematic approach to assessment of hand, finger, wrist, injuriesbe aware of those conditions appropriately treated in primary care vs. those less common conditions that require surgical referralDescribe the differences in "jammed finger" injuries from volar plate injury (ligament tear), mallet finger, Jersey finger, and fracture.
  7. Concussion part II - post concussion syndrome, complications, research
    • Review the current research in concussion evaluation and management
    • Be are comfortable with the recognition and treatment options of post-concussion syndrome and some of the other complications of this injury
  8. The pre-participation sports physical: Making it a worthwhile exercise for parents, athletes, and medical personnel
    • Discuss a positive approach to the pre-participation sports physical in gathering valuable medical information, finding the rare "at risk" athlete and doing it in a timely interaction
    • Explain the appropriate work-up of infectious mono and safe return to play.
  9. Exercise induced asthma and vocal cord dysfunction in the approach to athletes with shortness of breath or chronic fatigue
    • Analyze the work-up and differential diagnosis for EIA VCD or other conditions that present with shortness of breath or fatigue
    • Describe the differential diagnosis of shortness of breath in athletes vs. chronic fatigue
  10. The evaluation and management of sports knee injuries in young athletes and adults
    • Differentiate between injuries that can be treated in primary care vs. those where we need to discuss surgical intervention
    • Be aware of and comfortable with recognizing types of knee injuries that occur in active young people and adults
  11. Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults and Children
    • Develop treatment strategies for Otitis media, sinusitis and pneumonia
  12. Immunization Update: Adults
    • Develop strategies for implementing new vaccines such as the new shingles vaccine into schedules
  13. Immunization Update: Pediatrics
    • Develop strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy
  14. Avoiding Common Diagnostic Pitfalls
    • Spot situations can can often lead to diagnostic errors
  15. Using New Diagnostic Modalities
    • Consider how new tests can be cost effectively added to patients they treat
  16. Animal Bites and Related Syndromes
    • Identify common pathogens and treatment guidelines
  17. Approach to the Patient With Lymphadenopathy
    • identify common etiologies incuding EBV, cat scratch and Mycobacteria
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

Blaise L Congeni, MD

Blaise L Congeni, MD
Professor of Pediatrics 
Northeastern Ohio Medical University
Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases
Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio. Blaise L. Congeni, MD, is Professor of Pediatrics and of Medical Microbiology at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED.) He also serves as Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Attending Physician at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio.

Dr. Congeni received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and his pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital

Dr. Congeni is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. A member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and American Society of Microbiology, Dr. Congeni has been named in the Best Doctors in America for more than a dozen years. He has been the recipient of numerous faculty awards including Leibelt-Wheeler, 1999, Legendary Service, 2013, Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence 6 times, honorary hooder by the graduating class 4 times, and he was elected Master Teacher at NEOMED, class of 2000.

Dr. Congeni serves as an editorial board member for Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, and he is a past editorial board member for Concise Reviews of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He has authored more than 60 abstracts, book chapters, and peer-reviewed medical journal publications, and he has served as a guest editor of Pediatric Annals.

Joseph A. Congeni, MD

Joseph A. Congeni, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), Rootstown, OH
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics & Sports Medicine,Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH Joseph A. Congeni, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center at Akron Children's Hospital as well an Professor of Pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Sports Medicine at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He developed the Primary Care Pediatrics Sports Medicine Fellowship at Akron Children's Hospital, the first of its kind at a pediatric hospital in the U.S. in (1990). He is a (1980) graduate of the University of Notre Dame; and received his medical degree from NEOMED in (1984). Dr. Congeni is currently a team physician for the University of Akron and Archbishop Hoban High School since (1988).

He has won many awards including: the OHSAA Respect the Game Award (2004-2005), the Ohio Athletic Trainer's Association’s Team Physician of the Year Award (2008), and Ohio Outstanding Team Physician by the Ohio State Medical Association (2008), Best Doctors in Northeast Ohio (2009-2022), the Dr. Carl Krill Award for humanism and excellence in the field of medicine from the Knights of Columbus (2013),Sports & Exercise Medicine Godfather, Cleveland Clinic (aka Warthog Society) (2017), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Thomas Shaffer National Award for significant contributions to the field of sports medicine (2018), was inducted to the Diocese of Cleveland CYO Hall of Fame in (2019), NEOMED Distinguished Alumni Award (2024).

He is also a lead author on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Baseball/Softball Policy Statement issued March 2012. Dr. Congeni’s media events vary from appearing on NBC’s TODAY Show in 2009 to his appearance on a PBS documentary entitled “The Smartest Team” in 2012 and a Sports Illustrated segment in 2014. He also has been appearing on a weekly radio sports medicine segment since 1995. In addition, he does about 10-15 media appearances and 25-35 speaking engagements, locally, regionally, and nationally per year. Joe and his wife Karen have six children.

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
Sun Jan 15 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- 3:00 pm
Mon Jan 16 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
8:00 am 3:00 pm
Tue Jan 17 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Wed Jan 18 Willemstad, Curacao
3:00 pm -
Thu Jan 19 Willemstad, Curacao
- 4:00 pm
Fri Jan 20 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sat Jan 21 Gatun Lake
9:00 am 10:00 am
Sat Jan 21 Colon, Panama
3:00 pm 8:00 pm
Sun Jan 22 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
6:30 am 4:00 pm
Mon Jan 23 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Tue Jan 24 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Wed Jan 25 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
7:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Ft. Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Ft. Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or adventure to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - All Bahama Islands are full of tropical wonders and sun-kissed beaches. But Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas is an absolute stunner. When you feel the sugar-white sand on your toes or see its brilliant blue lagoon, you’ll understand why cruise travelers love Half Moon Cay. True bucket-list excursions, secluded cabanas, and stunning beaches make it ideal for any type of vacation.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Willemstad, Curacao - Curaçao is a treasure trove of cultural attractions, rich history, and natural scenery — from desert landscapes and rugged cliffs to 38 spectacular, and mostly secluded, beaches. Sint Anna Bay separates the two sides of the capital of Willemstad. Punda, the original settlement, is a tidy grid filled with shops and unique markets, restaurants and open-air cafes. Not to mention the famous tropicalized Dutch architecture in vibrant hues. Otrobanda (literally, “the other side”) is a maze of narrow streets and even narrower alleyways. And at only 40 miles long, a wide variety of island adventures are within easy reach during your Curaçao cruise.

Gatun Lake - At the center of one of the world’s greatest engineering projects is a place where nature has been given a space to flourish—the vast Gatún Lake. The lake includes some 20 miles of the 48-mile route that ships follow through the Panama Canal. While a passenger gazing at its forested shores may assume they are looking at a landscape that predates the canal, the lake is as much a manmade creation as the various locks. It was formed in 1912, with the damming of the Chagres River, and the islands that dot the lake were once the peaks of hills. At its Caribbean end, the Gatún Locks raise ships traveling towards the Pacific to the level of the lake; at its other end, the Pedro Miguel and then the Miraflores Locks lower them back to sea level. In addition to opportunities to see the infrastructure of the canal , Gatún Lake is fascinating for its remarkable biodiversity. More than 100 species each of mammals and reptiles, as well as some 500 different birds, thrive in the nature reserves in and near the lake.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - Come to Puerto Limon ready to meet a raw and beautiful side unlike any other in Costa Rica. Go off-road and through prehistoric forests in places like the famous Veragua Rainforest Park. Jump onboard a Costa Rica cruise and glide on a canoe over the Tortuguero Canal, meet wild creatures at the Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary, or get in some of the region's best surfing at the Salsa Brava reef break, just an hour's drive south of the port.

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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