ACC Conference

Upon arriving at the American College Of Cardiologists conference at 8 am on Monday, I felt that I had entered an alternate world. I was like being at the boat show my dad use to always get so excited about, but instead of boats, tobacco ads and people in faded jeans, there were well dressed doctors and all sorts of devices that shocked you. I navigated my way through flocks of doctors in the enormous building to the late-breaking clinical trials session. I inconspicuously sat down and began to try to make heads and tails of what was being discussed. Thanks to Dr. Murrow and a little bit of preparation, I was able to follow the presentations, which, I thought to my surprise, were pretty interesting. I was able to pick out which issues I thought were most relevant to North GA, and eager to make it down to the press conference.

The novelty of the press conference was exciting. I had never been to one before, and I liked the energy and buzz. I caught glimpses of my possible future - somewhat frightening. All in all, it seemed like a pretty good gig for those asking pointed questions and hacking away at laptops.

Hanging around reporters is always interesting. If you talk to several in a day, you pick up on the differences in their technique and style of reporting. As with the "When Veterans Come Home" conference that I attended at the beginning of the semester, I found the reporters to be open and encouraging in talking with us novices. Of course I became a little anxious when one told me that she had just worked a 20 hour day, but I guess that's just what you have to do.

I was very impressed by the grandiosity of the conference, especially the product expo. These people are, after all, responsible for our central life-serving mechanism. I was very entertained by people connected to various wires writhing and convulsing on a table and being watched by curious onlooking cardiologists. I hoped I would never have to be hooked up to one of those.

Although I was a little overwhelmed, I found the conference to be a very conducive atmosphere for an aspiring journalist. The docs were eager to talk about their research and expected to be interviewed. In the commotion of the press conference, I found it easy to forget my gumshoe inhibitions and walk up to someone, stick a recorder in their face and start asking questions. That's what everyone else was doing.

I was most interested in the quality of care talks and posters. That seems to be most applicable to my county and audience. If you are not well educated about heart disease and prevention, all of the stents and statins are unlikely to help you very much.

Even after one day, I began to feel a little credibility. Like Woody Allen said, "80% of life is just showing up." Well, I guess there is this article I have to turn in too.