Additional Workshops & Seminars
“Curing Sickle Cell Disease”
Jane Sande, M.D., is Medical Director for The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Their Sickle Cell Disease Program is one of the largest in the country and is at the forefront in treating children with sickle cell disease and other red blood cell disorders. Through blood transfusions and new drug treatments, their specialists ease the disease’s effects. Dr. Sande discussed the medical, social and economic impact of Sickle Cell Disease and efforts to curie the disease via bone marrow transplantation
"9 Million Child Deaths: Where, Why and What Can Be Done?"
John Murray, M.D., a global health care expert, has worked on the design and implementation of primary health care programs in 15 countries throughout Asia and Africa. He has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization, focusing his work on maternal and child health. Dr. Murray presented about low-cost public health initiatives that are being used to treat/cure common illnesses and diseases in developing countries that kill both infants and children. His visit builds upon the Dimensions' reading group discussion of Tracy Kidder’s book, Mountains Beyond Mountains.
"Prion Diseases: Misfolded Proteins and a New Class of Infectious Diseases"
Anthony Kincaid, Ph.D., P.T. lectured about prion diseases in animals and humans. Kincaid is an associate professor of physical therapy at Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.
"Breast Cancer Gene Symposium"
Chris Hansen, the lead attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, highlighted the major arguments in their lawsuit against Myriad Genetics in which they challenging the pharmaceutical company holds on the breast cancer genes. The lawsuit contends that the patents are unlawful because genes are “products or nature” and that these patents restrict patients' access to medical care and stifle scientific research on cancer.
"International Studies of Pre-term Birth"
Jeff Murray, M.D., presented on the challenges and rewards of studying the genetic and environmental causes of birth defects and pre-term birth. His presentation will emphasize how programs develop and the importance of international collaborations in addressing these major causes of infant death worldwide. Murray is a professor of neonatology and genetics, and professor of biological sciences, dentistry, and epidemiology at the University of Iowa.