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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Topics in Primary Care and Interprofessional Teams

7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise
Round-trip Barcelona, Spain
September 18 - 25, 2022
Royal Caribbean's <em>Wonder of the Seas</em>
Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas
12 CE Credits for Psychologists
12 ASWB ACE Credits
12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
12 ACPE Credits
12.0 ADA CERP Credits
12.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees
$895 for Physicians, Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, & Dentists
$750 for Physician Assistants
$495 for Nurses, Residents, Students & Others

Target Audience
Psychologists, Social WorkersPhysicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, PharmacistsDentists, Dental Staff
Program Purpose / Objectives
Based on the most recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), in the year 2011-2012, nearly 70% of adult Americans were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Obesity is recognized as a multifactorial, chronic, inflammatory disease whereby excess body fat is accumulated through complex interactions between the environment, genetic predisposition, human metabolism, neuroendocrine and behavioral factors.

At any given time, an estimated 55% of the population is participating in a medically managed or self-selected weight-loss program, with the majority of participants failing to lose or sustain weight loss. Of those successful with weight loss, > 60% will regain their lost weight by the end of year one following their initial weight loss success. Fewer than 15% of adults participate in regular exercise and over 65% of adults are sedentary. Lifestyle and behavioral interventions form the foundation for the management of cardiovascular risk factors to achieve improved short- and long-term outcomes, including measures of quality of life.

Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and inflammation are the primary modifiable components arising from obesity and overweight. Research has demonstrated that successful management of obesity and overweight requires both sustained lifestyle changes with frequent follow-up as well as the simultaneous medical management of cardiovascular risk factors. The increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight in patients impacts the clinical decisions, management strategies and health outcomes of all health care clinicians, regardless of their clinical specialty. Thus, this conference has been designed with the overall objective to equip healthcare providers with the most current scientific clinical research examining the magnitude of the problem, genetic and environmental causes, pathophysiology, and complications related to the obesity epidemic. This understanding will be translated into the clinical setting throughout the conference with current evidence-based strategies for the practical treatment of obesity and its related comorbidities.
 

Topics:

  1. The impact of obesity as a chronic disease on our health care system.
    • Examine the pervasiveness of obesity as a chronic disease, the propensity of interrelated co-morbidities, and the impact on health.
  2. Mechanisms linking excess adiposity to metabolic dysregulation.
    • Describe how excess adiposity is linked to metabolic dysregulation.
  3. Mood disorders associated with insulin resistance and obesity.
    • Assess how selected obesity-related complications, such as mood disorders, eating disorders, and sleep apnea impact management strategies.
  4. Current and future considerations in pharmacotherapy for obesity and overweight.
    • Evaluate new recommendations in the use of current pharmacologic agents and the future development of agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and overweight.
  5. The role that genetics plays in the obesity epidemic.
    • Distinguish the relationship between genetics and environment in the etiology of obesity.
  6. The efficacy of bariatric surgery and the management of bariatric patients.
    • Describe the efficacy of bariatric surgical procedures on the pathophysiology and management of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
  7. Lifestyle and behavioral strategies and interventions for the management of diabetes, obesity and overweight.
    • Examine the interrelationship between physical exercise, diet, intestinal microbiome and the body immune system that underlie rational management of obesity.

Additional Topics under development

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

Shagun Bindlish, MD, FACP

Shagun Bindlish, MD, FACP
Diabetologist/Internal Medicine Physician 
Adjunct Associate Professor, Touro University
Fellow of American college of Physicians

Dr. Shagun Bindlish is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician with advanced fellowship training in diabetes and metabolic disorders. She is board-certified obesity medicine and lifestyle medicine specialist. She is a Chair of the thought leadership committee and board member of the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Bindlish is adjunct faculty at Touro university's diabetes fellowship program. She is a USA ambassador representing DiaBeters non-profit organization in Kenya, Africa. Dr. Bindlish presently working with international organizations conducting educational webinars about diabetes and obesity management. With a passion for community work, she has recently started her youTube channel with a vision to bring awareness among health care professionals and patients. Dr. Bindlish has earned her medical degree from Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia and completed her residency at Lutheran Medical Center in New York.

Dr. Bindlish is practicing currently in Bay Area. She is an author and writes blogs for magazines in Kenya, the USA, and India. Shagun has been actively involved in the California chapter as a fellow of the American College of Physicians and serves as a judge and mentor for multiple educational activities and conferences throughout the year.

Shagun's philosophy of care centers around prevention and education. She is an advocate for her patients and strives to build trusting, friendly relationships with them. She believes in a holistic understanding of all the factors that impact a patient's overall health. Thus, serving the patient as a wellness coach.

Dr. Bindlish is also a writer and contributes her work to journals. She is also an editor of renowned journals like the British Medical Journal, American College of Family Medicine ( ACOFP), American Diabetes Association. To stay healthy and happy, Shagun does yoga and Pilates. She loves to travel and cook international cuisines.

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 Sep 18 Barcelona, Spain
- 6:00 pm
Mon Sep 19 Palma De Mallorca, Spain
8:00 am 4:00 pm
Tue Sep 20 Provence (Marseille), France
8:00 am 5:00 pm
Wed Sep 21 La Spezia, Italy
8:30 am 8:30 pm
Thu Sep 22 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
7:00 am 8:00 pm
Fri Sep 23 Naples, Italy
7:00 am 8:00 pm
Sat Sep 24 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Sep 25 Barcelona, Spain
5:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

Barcelona, Spain -

Barcelona is a one of the world's great cities. Stroll down her tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Passeig de Gràcia or the more touristed Las Ramblas. On the Passeig, shop a serious fashion district while marveling at examples of Mordenisme architecture, seemingly sculpted from the stuff of dreams (Gaudi's masterpiece of a family home, Casa Batlló is well worth a visit). If a trip on the Passeig hasn't convinced you of Gaudi's genius, a visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral will do the trick; this fantastic, soaring marvel will live on in your memory long after you've returned.

Not far from the Passeig and just north of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (the Barri Gotic) provides an abundance of shopping opportunities for all tastes, and a bit of European history to boot - check out the tranquil Cathedral of Barcelona. To see a bit of local life a visit to a food market is a quick, fun detour: try Santa Caterina near the Cathedral or Mercado de La Boqueria, right off of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona's food is also a highlight: stop into a tapas bar and try a variety of delicacies. "Standard" restaurants of every style are available, too. And, there's music, too! Visit an underground jazz club or the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana; or stop by the Palau Dalmases for a stunning, flamenco performance (it's near the Picasso museum). Did we mention art? One of the largest collections of Picasso's art is found at the Museau Picasso, and a great collection of contemporary, figurative (i.e not abstract) painting and sculpture is housed at the European Museum of Modern Art just around the corner.

It's probably clear by now that you really can't get it all done in a day (even if all means "just the must-sees"). So, stay for a day or three in the Gothic Quarter or near Plaça de Catalunya and really get a feel for what makes Barcelona such a wonderful place. Partly it's the result of the "accidents" of its history and present: as the regional capital of Spain's prosperous Catalunya region, Barcelona has a "flavor" that is a bit of a mix between Spanish and French (it's located quite close to the French border). Yes, you can practice your Spanish here - it attracts Spaniards from throughout the country - but you'll also see and hear Catalan with it's own charm. You won't regret your time here.

Palma De Mallorca, Spain - The Spanish island of Mallorca offers towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water — but its hidden gem is Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital and largest city, where you'll find quaint historic streets, Gothic castles and gastronomic delights. Cruise to Palma de Mallorca and check out one-of-a-kind Palma Cathedral: The 14th-century Gothic spires of exterior contrast the modernist interior designed by in the early 1900s by Gaudi. See the circular courtyard and Arab-inspired arches of Castell de Bellver, and take in the fresh scent of the miles of pine forest that surround it. Or rent bikes and pedal east to Palma Beach, where you can soak in the sun on the white sands and clear waves.

Provence (Marseille), France - Marseille offers an unexpected view of a mosaic of buildings and National Heritage Sites from the terraces of Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica that towers above and watches over the city.

Alongside the port the towers of Saint Victor Abbey house crypts that already existed when Christianity was introduced into Provence. The columns of the Palais de la Bourse, the noble facades of the Prefecture and the fountains of the Palais Longchamp are part of the triumphant architecture from the 19th Century that is scattered throughout the city and that gave Marseille renewed splendour.

In the old quarter the houses are built on the sunny slopes ; the clock in the Accoules Bell tower, which was the old Sauveterre tower, still marks the hours of life around the Town Hall, while beyond the dome of the Vieille Charite hospice, Pierre Puget's masterpiece, stands out against the sky. The small streets of the Panier quarter lie a little further on.

La Spezia, Italy - La Spezia is a gateway to some of Italy's greatest treasures.

A quite pleasant small city itself, is located on a natural harbor and boasts a beautiful park parallel to its waterfront, substantial shopping, plenty of opportunities for good food, an archaeolgical museum in its historic hilltop fort and a nice contemporary art museum.

A short distance La Spezia and you are on the Cinque Terre ("The Five Cities") coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Italy's great natural jewels. These five small villages dotting the coast are free of car traffic and are reached only by a railway, hiking trails, or a pedestrian ferry. Small, winding paths connect many of the villages, and a light amount of hiking will afford you some spectacular views of cliffs, coastline, and stone terraces.

A little further afield is Pisa, one of the great renaissance cities whose ships dominated trade for decades. It is best known today, of course for it's famous "leaning Tower," from the top of which Galileo Galilei demonstrated that gravity's strength was independant of the weight of a falling object. It stands there still, if somewhat crookedly, after 650 years.

Sill further but worth the trip, is Florence where you can view the timeless treasures from the very height of renaissance achievements: the lofty Duomo, Giotto's gorgeous bell tower, Michelangelo's original David, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio over the Arno.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Extraordinary architecture, millennia of turbulent history, magnificent basilicas concealing unimaginable riches, and ornate fountains splashing at the heart of sun-drenched piazzas are just some of the many reasons to visit Rome. Art greets you on every corner, from elaborate statues to delicate frescoes. Stroll the ancient center and history comes to life as you explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Enjoy Italian café culture in Trastevere, where you can wander the narrow streets and soak up a sense of la dolce vita, or throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return to this vibrant, intoxicating city.

Naples, Italy - Capital of Southern Italy, the largest city of Campania, Naples is the third most populated city in Italy (after Rome and Milan), with over a million inhabitants, and is the most important industrial center and trading port for the South. Naples itself can provide a day's fun and entertainment, if its somewhat rundown appearance doesn't dissuade you. Or, join a tour of incredible Pompeii, frozen in time since A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius brought an end to that then-thriving city. Or, take a quick ferry across the bay to the flowery Isle of Capri. Or, (yes, there's more) visit fabulous Sorrento, vacation spot for the well to do.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

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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