Welcome to the 24th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC).  The meeting is a collaborative effort of the CMSC, Latin American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (LACTRIMS), and the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) with a joint meeting with the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS).   Continuing medical education (CME) will be provided by our joint sponsor, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) - Center for Continuing and Outreach Education.  Nurse continuing education (CE) will be provided by Nurse Practitioner Alternatives.  The meeting will be held June 2-5, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.  The joint meeting with ACTRIMS will coincide on our last day on June 5, 2010.

Caring for the patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) challenges healthcare providers throughout the spectrum of the disease.  Its variable course, symptoms, emotional implications, and its wide variety of care demands for broad based and dynamic models of care and research.  The CMSC is the largest professional MS organization in the world.  Each year, our annual meeting provides information that has global impact upon MS care and research.  It features state-of-the-art information on the latest treatments, research, models of care, and advocacy issues.  The CMSC is proud to partner with thousands of MS professionals who work in healthcare, community service, the pharmaceutical industry, and education.

This year’s meeting, Multiple Sclerosis: Sustaining Care, Seeking a Cure, will provide attendees with information about the immunology, genetics, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of the disease.  Additional sessions will focus on healthcare provider roles and include topics on basic and advanced fundamentals of MS diagnosis and care, new and advanced concepts in technology, and symptomatic and rehabilitative care.  The Whitaker Research Track will present us with cutting edge information on MS research.  This program will include emerging new MS researchers and the CMSC will recognize the best research in memory of Dr. John Whitaker to sustain research in the field of MS.  Our workshops, clinical courses, and major symposia will provide participants with best practices to enhance competence and performance in the diagnosis and management of MS. The CMSC is proud to announce that National Multiple Sclerosis Society Fellows will hold a one-day meeting in conjunction with the CMSC meeting.  Attendees will meet on Thursday, June 3, 2010 and will join our poster display throughout the CMSC program.  Posters will be displayed throughout the meeting with a formal session on Friday evening during which authors will stand by their work.  Our grant supported Educational Symposia also provide an opportunity to become aware of additional important clinical and scientific data. Most of our meals will be served in the Exhibit Hall to provide you with numerous opportunities to network and learn about new products and services.  Dinner programs and our opening and closing luncheons will sustain your current professional networks and help you meet and greet new colleagues from around the world.  The Foundation of the CMSC has invited numerous scholars to attend our meeting and present their work that was conducted under the tutelage of MS thought leaders so please welcome them to our professional family.

Awards will be presented at the conclusion of our meeting.  These awards will acknowledge achievements in MS and will add to our best practices in multiple sclerosis.  Thank you all for joining us in this exciting and busy meeting.  Please learn, enjoy, and participate in our busy schedule.  I and my colleagues are there to help you so please reach out to us if you need any assistance.  Again, thank you for coming!

June Halper, MSN, APN-C, MSCN, FAAN
Executive Director, CMSC