August 8, 2007

Mercy Previews Sept. 18 Infectious Disease Symposium

Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City will hold its 2007 Infectious Disease Symposium for physicians, nurses and other medical professionals on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Sioux City Convention Center.

The conference will provide attendees with the latest information about the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

One of the feature presentations during the daylong symposium will examine “Pandemic Influenza (and Other Diseases Affecting Iowa).” Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Public Health, will present the address to discuss how healthcare professionals across the state can more effectively deal with emerging diseases by improving their preparedness. Quinlisk will also talk about the use of antivirals and vaccine during a pandemic.

Philip Smith, MD, chief for the Infectious Diseases Section at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, will present a “Bioprepardness Quiz” that will highlight the basic points related to “all hazards” preparedness.

Ronald Greenfield, MD, professor in the Infectious Diseases Section of the Department of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, will discuss “Community Acquired MRSA.” He will explain the epidemiologic and genetic patterns of MRSA resistance and will analyze the reasons for the lack of effectiveness of available MRSA antimicrobial agents.

H. Gunner Deery, MD, FACP, FIDSA, a specialist from Northern Michigan Infectious Diseases in Petoskey, Mich., will present on the topic of wound management, and will discuss debridement, the role of topic agents and dressings, and adjunctive therapies.

Rachel Miller, MD, clinical associate professor at the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, will present an “Adult Immunization Update” that will outline current vaccination recommendations.

Daniel Lamptey, MD, a specialist with the Mercy Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Center at Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City, will discuss “Management of Patients Co-Infected with Hepatitis C and HIV.” Lamptey will list and describe the parameters that should be considered in determining the appropriate use of HCV therapy in those patients, and will also discuss monitoring and managing the side effects of that treatment.

Continuing education credit will be available for physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The cost for the one-day conference is $75 if the participant’s registration is postmarked by Sept. 10. Late registration fees will be $85 after that date.

For more information about the upcoming conference, contact Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City at (712) 279-2507 or (712) 279-2152. The conference brochure and registration form is also available on Mercy’s web site at www.mercysiouxcity.com.