Registration open for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis healthcare summit

IPF Summit 2011: From Bench to Bedside Will Be Held in Chicago, IL on December 1-3, 2011 in Partnership with National Jewish Health and the France Foundation

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) announced today that registration is now open for the IPF Summit 2011: From Bench to Bedside. The conference will feature an innovative two-day continuing medical education (CME) program for physicians, researchers, and other health care professionals.  Additionally there will be a separate one-day patient, family member, and caregiver program to address the growing educational needs of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) community. The conference will be held at the Marriott Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL on December 1-3, 2011. Registration and additional information can be found at www.ipfsummit.org.

"We are thrilled to establish and fund the Summit where some of the most recent research and patient care information will be shared," said Daniel M. Rose, MD, President of the PFF. "We hope that the Summit will foster a collaborative environment to improve IPF education and awareness.  We also hope to identify new approaches to successfully treat this devastating disease."

IPF affects more than 200,000 individuals in the US, the annual mortality is 40,000, and yet it is still a relatively unknown disease.  Currently there are no FDA approved treatments for IPF. The Summit has been carefully designed to enhance and advance clinical understanding of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis within the medical, research, and patient communities. It will provide a uniquely collaborative environment for physicians, nurses, researchers, and patients to share the latest information in research and patient care.

Sessions for physicians, researchers, and allied healthcare professionals will include:  "Lung Injury and Repair," "Genetics and Biomarkers," "Drug Development," "Diagnosis and Treatment Options," "Case Presentations with Master Clinicians," and "An Update on Lung Transplantation for IPF."

Additionally, a Poster Session will provide an opportunity for individuals to present their recent findings in basic, translational, or clinical research. Poster application guidelines are available at http://www.ipfsummit.org/poster.php

The patient program will highlight a variety of topics important to the IPF community. These sessions will improve the patients' understanding of the disease and assist them in improving their quality of life.  Some of the topics to be discussed include pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, lung transplantation, pulmonary rehabilitation, clinical trials in IPF, and resources available for patients and families.