The Mastocytosis Society, Inc. 18th Annual Conference
“An Integrative Approach to Mast Cell Disorders”
October 11 -14, 2012
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue Downtown Courtyard Marriott
11010 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA 98004
Reservations: 800-228-9290; room rates $89-$99 per night
General Conference Information
The Pacific Northwest Support Group is pleased to host the 2012 TMS Annual Conference in beautiful
Bellevue, Washington, just 6 miles east of Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington! The conference
program embraces the theme, “An Integrative Approach to Mast Cell Disorders” by focusing not only on the
latest scientific material, but also on patient centered care and empathy for patients. Information on
integrating alternative and complementary treatments options will be provided. In response to requests from
past years’ conference attendees, the program format will include ample time for questions and answers.
Panel discussions will follow each cluster of presentations. Panelists will include the preceding speakers as
well as additional physicians and subject matter experts. One of the panels will be made up of patients so that
physicians have the opportunity to ask questions in order to better understand their patients. Presentations and
panel discussions will be video taped and available on DVD after the conference, but patient support sessions
will not be recorded.
The conference fee of $200 (for members registering before October 1, 2012) includes three continental
breakfasts, daily morning and afternoon snacks, Friday lunch, Saturday lunch, transportation to and from the
Walk-a-thon at Crossroads Park, as well as conference materials and all presentations. This year conference
attendees, family, friends and community members are welcome to join in a celebration of support for the
mast cell disease community. The optional Appreciation and Celebration Dinner at the hotel on Saturday,
October 13, 2012, evening will be an exciting opportunity to thank physicians and volunteers who make the
annual conference and all TMS activities possible. Tickets are available for $35 for those who choose to
celebrate with us!
Instead of participating in a separate CME/CE day, physicians, nurses and other medical professionals will
attend general conference sessions with patients, caregivers and others interested in mast cell disease. The
request submitted for program accreditation is under review for joint sponsorship. Once a determination has
been made regarding CME/CE credits, registration instructions will be posted on the website. In addition,
anyone interested may email conference@tmsforacure.org to be placed on a notification list. Participants
wishing to receive credit will pay the regular conference registration fee plus a nominal processing fee.
Conference Program and Schedule
Thursday, October 11th
6:30-7:00pm
Welcome reception. Mix, mingle, and get to know each other. General questions
about conference and hotel will be answered. (light snacks served)
7:00-8:00pm
Theoharis Theoharides, MD, PhD and Drew Ayars, MD will answer general
questions about mast cell disease, especially neurological symptoms. Relaxed forum.
8:00-9:00pm
Support Group Meetings (First 10 minutes with Valerie M. Slee, RN, BSN, TMS
Chair, then breaking into smaller moderated groups: patients, caregivers and
pediatrics)
Friday, October 12th
7:30-8:30am
8:30-8:45am
8:45-9:30am
Breakfast; Registration and Walk-a-thon registration.
Valerie M. Slee . TMS Chair and Lisa W. Sterling, 2012 Conference Host:
Welcome and Introductions
Catherine Weiler, MD, PhD: Masto Primer
9:30-10:15am
10:15-10:30am
Theoharis Theoharides, MD, PhD: Activation of Mast Cells by the Unique Target
mTOR leads to Neurological Symptoms Inhibited by Luteolin
Break
2012 Conference Program and Schedule Continued: Friday, October 12
10:30-11:15am
11:15- 12:00pm
Friday, October 12th
12:00-1:30pm
1:30-2:15pm
2:15-3:00pm
3:00-3:15pm
3:15-4:00pm
4:00-4:45pm
4:45-5:45pm
5:45-7:30pm
7:30-9:00pm
Joseph Butterfield, MD: The New Mayo Center for Mast Cell Diseases and
Eosinophilic Diseases
J. Pablo Abonia, MD: Relationship between Eosinophilic and Mast Cell Disease;
Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders
Lunch at Hotel: Hosted by Pacific Northwest Support Group
Lawrence Afrin, MD, PhD: Mast Cell Activation Disorders; Update on Research
Grant
PANEL Discussion: Q&A with speakers on Mastocytosis, Mast Cell Activation
Syndrome, Neurologic Symptoms, The New Mayo Center, Eosinophilic Disease
Break
Steven Overman, MD, MPH: Patient/Physician Compassion
Kristine Greer : Mastocytosis Patient and Cancer Survivor: Tell It What To Do!
Panel Discussion: The Doctors Ask the Patients: How does Masto affect you on a
daily basis? Tell us how you feel!
Dinner – on your own; list of local restaurants will be provided; conference
attendees may meet at a local restaurant (Tap Room)
Break-out Support Group Sessions with Physician Moderators : Pediatric
(Melody Carter, MD, PhD); Aggressive Disease (Jason Gotlib, MD, MS);
Gastrointestinal (Philip Miner, MD, Matthew Hamilton, MD); MCAD/SM
(Catherine Weiler, MD. PhD; Joseph Butterfield, MD; Larry Afrin, MD, Drew
Ayars, MD); Applied Theory to Practice for RNs (Valerie Slee, RN, BSN)
Note: While all presentations and scientific panel discussions will be taped, Support group sessions including
the Break-out Support group sessions with Physician Moderators will not be
videotaped to allow patients to ask details about their personal health. The Doctors
Ask the Patients Panel will be videotaped.
Saturday, October 13th
7:30-8:00am
8:00-8:30am
8:30-9:15am
9:15-10:00am
10:00-11:00am
11:00am-12:30pm
12:30-1:15pm
1:15-2:00pm
2:00-2:45pm
2:45-3:30pm
3:30-4:00pm
4:00-4:45pm
Breakfast, Registration and Walk-a-thon Registration
Annual TMS Meeting open to all members
Heidi Turner, RD: Nutrition for Patients with Mast Cell Disorders
Board buses for Walk-A-Thon
Walk-a-thon !!!!!
Integrative Medicine Luncheon provided at walk location in the Crossroads
Community Center; and Alternative and Integrative Medicine Information tables
Buses depart walk and return to hotel
Philip Miner, MD: Recognizing Symptoms of Mast Cell Disease
Matthew Hamilton, MD: Boston Center of Excellence –Management of the
gastrointestinal symptoms of mast cell disease
PANEL discussion for Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Diet and Nutrition
Break (in Foyer; set up for concurrent sessions)
Concurrent Sessions
Aggressive Disease and Bone Pain
Pediatric and Cutaneous Disease
Jason Gotlib, MD, MS: Aggressive
Melody Carter, MD, PhD: Pediatric
Systemic Mastocytosis
Mastocytosis
4:45-5:30pm
Mary Bach, MD: Rheumatologic
Symptoms of Mast Cell Disease
Robert Sidbury, MD, MPH:
Pediatric Cutaneous Mastocytosis
5:30-6:00pm
Q&A: PANEL discussion for aggressive
disease and bone pain
Q&A: PANEL discussion for
pediatric and cutaneous disease
6:00-7:00pm
7:00-9:00pm
Mix/Mingle Reception in Lobby/Cafe
Physician/Patient Celebration Dinner: Recognition of Speakers, MAB,
Volunteers and Walk-a-thon Supporters; Optional event at hotel.
Tickets available for $35;
2012 Conference Program and Schedule Continued: Sunday, October 14
Sunday, October 14th
8:00-9:00am
9:00-10:30am
10:30-10:45am
10:45am-12:45pm
12:45-2:30pm
2:30-6:00pm
Breakfast
Patient Support Working Sessions such as: Early Morning Qi Gong to relax us and
awaken our positive healing energy, How to Obtain Disability Benefits; 504 and
IEP’s for Schools; Preparing for Physician and ER visits; and Art in Health Care
Break
Final Professionally Moderated Support Group Sessions & Conference Wrap Up!
Conference Cleanup – Take Down and Pack Up (Volunteers needed!!!)
Optional sight seeing activity
Note: The proposed program schedule may change due to speaker schedules and availability. TMS members
will be mailed invitations including any schedule revisions. Visit www.tmsforacure.org/conference for forms
and current information. Email conference@tmsforacure.org with questions.