HAS, 2020 – Another Success!


March 14, 2020

Houston Aortic Symposium Chairs and Program Directors

Photo By Ali Azizzadeh, MD

March 2020 witnessed the conclusion of another successful Houston Aortic Symposium (HAS).  As the thirteenth in the series, HAS 2020 brought together many of the world’s experts in the field of aortic disease including several UTHealth and McGovern Medical School faculty members.  Honorary Chairs, Hazim Safi, MD, David McPherson, MD provided opening and closing remarks to kick off and conclude the two and a half day event.  Symposium Chairs Anthony Estrera, MD and Ali Azizzadeh, MD aided in the organization of the event along with recently appointed program directors, Kristofer Charlton-Ouw, MD and Tom C. Nguyen, MD.  “The Houston Aortic Symposium has become the venue to discuss, debate, and disseminate the latest topics in aortic disease management. The faculty delivered outstanding lectures with thoughtful discussions and commentary. One of the most important aspects of a meeting like this, however, was not the formal presentation format, but rather the informal discussions that take place leading to special camaraderie between everyday practicing physicians. ”, Dr. Estrera says.

With over 500 registrants for HAS, and nearly 130 attendees for the Second Annual Houston Aortic Nursing Symposium, HAS 2020 & Nursing Symposium comprised of three full days of presentations and discussions at the Westin Oaks at the Galleria.  Presentations, panel discussions, and questions surrounded the topics including but not limited to: Structural Heart, Aortic Root/BAV, Ascending Aorta & Aortic Dissection, Transverse Arch, Aortic Dissection (Distal), DTAA/TEVAR/EVAR, Genetics/Imaging and Technology, and TAAA.  Program Director, Dr. Tom C. Nguyen described, “Each year, the program seems to get better and better.”  Several UTHealth faculty and staff were able to present on recent advancements and discoveries they have made over the last year relating to the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of aortic disease.  “In the structural heart session, we had active discussions on the past, present, and future of treating valve disease,” says Dr. Nguyen. “It is our hope that both faculty and audience leave the meeting with take-home points that will ultimately improve patient care,” he says.

In addition to sharing updates and research on aortic disease pathologies, Program Chair Dr. Anthony Estrera made the formal announcement that Gustavo Oderich, MD of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester will be joining the UTHealth CVSurgery Team in the summer of 2020.  Dr. Oderich’s arrival in Houston is long awaited, and much anticipated for the continued care and advancements related to the treatment of aortic disease.

Official function photos are coming soon!  You can also see the hashtag #HAS2020 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to see photos and once-live updates from the event.

We send our sincere gratitude to everyone that traveled to Houston to share and spread the vast amount of knowledge that surrounds aortic disease.  Thank you to our local clinical care providers for their commitment to treating patients with aortic disease, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year at the 14th Annual Houston Aortic Symposium on March 11, 12, and 13, 2021!

More photos on McGovern Medical School website!

-Caliann Ferguson