Todd Belcik; Marti McCulloch MBA, BS, RDCS, FASE and Brad Roberts BS, RCS, RDCS, FASE all served as faculty at Echo Hawaii in January.

As I sit here at the 24 ^th annual Echo Hawaii course (with record attendance in a truly tropical setting), I am thinking of the upcoming ASE 25 ^th Annual Scientific Sessions being held in Portland, OR. Sitting through these wonderful educational presentations while the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the waves are crashing just outside the conference ballroom, you may be wondering how Echo Hawaii and the Scientific Sessions are related. Well, the networking events held during Echo Hawaii are filled with Hawaiian food AND a classic tropical drink, the Mai Tai. Interestingly, the Mai Tai was created in Portland, OR in 1944 at Trader Vics’ and has become the mainstay cocktail of the Hawaiian Islands. I am excited to have Portland as the host of the 25 ^th Annual Scientific Sessions.

Portland is known by several different nicknames: Rose City, Stumptown, or simply PDX. It is recognized as the “Greenest City in America” with its focus on mass transportation, recycling, and conservation. Over 12,000 cyclists (with peak of 15,000 daily during summer months) travel to and from work across the Willamette River each day regardless of the weather. Other interesting facts about Portland include:

• •
  

  There are 55 microbreweries in Portland, more than any other city in the world

  
  
• •
  

  The TV programs Grimm and Portlandia are filmed in Portland

  
  
• •
  

  Voted “2 ^nd best “foodie” city in the USA in 2010 with 600+ food carts dominating the “foodie” scene throughout the city

  
  
• •
  

  Recognized as “Best City for Happy Hour” by CNBC in 2010

  
  
• •
  

  One of the 10 best places to retire in 2012 by CBS Moneywatch

  
  
• •
  

  Voted #5 in nation of places to live by Travel & Leisure in 2012

  
  
• •
  

  Home to the Trailblazers (NBA) and Timbers (MLS) professional teams

  
  
• •
  

  Home to Nike elite running teams (Nike Oregon Project and Oregon Track Club) and training to numerous Olympic athletes

  
  
• •
  

  Home of the “Mother of All Relays”—The 195 mile Hood to Coast Relay with 12,600 runners and 3,600 volunteers

  
  
• •
  

  Only one of two cities to have a volcano within the city limits

  
  
• •
  

  Has one of the largest parks (Forest Park) within city limits at 5,000 sq/ acres and the smallest park in the world (Mill End Park) at 2.5 ft/diameter

  
  
• •
  

  The total rainfall is ∼37 inches a year, which is similar to most east coast cities. The rain is better known as “Portland Mist” or “Liquid Sunshine”

  
  
• •
  

  The birthplace of WIKI

  
  
• •
  

  One of two cities that allow dogs into the pubs

We are proud to host the 25 ^th Annual ASE Scientific Sessions Friday, June 19 ^th through Tuesday, June 24 ^th , 2104. This is the Silver Anniversary of the sessions, and it is fitting to have a focus on the innovations in cardiovascular medicine over the last several decades. The meeting is a “cutting-edge educational program” designed to provide a wealth of information to clinicians, scientists, and sonographers. We are proud to have an internationally diverse faculty with extensive expertise in echocardiography. There are 8 different tracks aimed at offering different areas of echocardiography as well as learning experiences. One of the main focuses of the meeting is the offering of cased-based learning presentations each morning. There will be sessions on quantification and imaging, from the basics to the most complex and challenging. Our goal is to provide a wide range of highly educational sessions at various levels and expertise that will challenge all attendees.

We have invited several renowned speakers to provide experience, updates, and insights to cardiovascular medicine and imaging with the anticipation this will be very informative for all attendees. On Sunday, a special session “Innovations in Medicine—Past, Present, and Future” will be given by Oregon Health & Science University’s own internationally acclaimed cardiovascular surgeon Albert Starr, MD, co-inventor of the first successful artificial mitral valve, the Starr-Edwards valve placed in 1960. He will be sharing his experience of innovation in patient care over the course of the last 50 years. Saturday will continue the annual “Clash of the Titans” debate on “ Current Topics in Cardiovascular Imaging” given by Matthew Budoff, MD, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine and director of cardiac CT at the Division of Cardiology at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. A special symposia on Monday focuses on “Diabetes, Inflammation, and the Cardiovascular System” given by Alan Chait, MD, Edwin L. Bierman Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and head of the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition and co-director of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center. He will discuss the role of inflammation in atherogenesis. Additionally on Monday, the 15 ^th annual Feigenbaum Lecture will be given by Luc Martens, MD, FASE, a leader in pediatric echocardiography in conjunction with the Arthur E Weyman Young Investigator’s Award Competition. Both are sure to excite the attendees as they allow rising researchers to present their data from some of the most cutting-edge areas of echocardiography.

In addition to the educational packed days, there are several networking/social events for attendees this year. New in 2014 is the “Taste of Portland”, a fundraising event hosted by the Willamette Valley Society of Echocardiography, along with a nighttime 5K run. Here is an overview of the social/networking highlights:

The ASE Education and Research Foundation’s 5 ^th Annual Research Awards Gala is being held Saturday, June 21 at The Nines hotel to raise funding to support the mission of funding initiatives, research awards, scholarships, guideline based projects, and humanitarian missions such as the recent visits to India. This year the ASE Foundation will be honoring the following: Physician Lifetime Achievement Award—Nelson Schiller, MD; Meritorious Service Award—Thomas Ryan, MD; Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Echocardiography Award— Daniel Thys, MD; Richard Popp Excellence in Teaching Award—Mikel Smith, MD; Cardiovascular Sonographer Distinguished Teacher Award—Michelle Bierig, MPH, RDCS, RCS, RDMS, FASE; and Excellence in Teaching in Pediatrics Award—Tal Geva, MD. Tickets are available for purchase and seating is limited so purchase them early. If you cannot attend the Gala but wish to make a contribution to the ASE Foundation in support of research please visit http://www.asefoundation.org/donate/ .

President’s Reception follows the end of the first full day of sessions, Saturday, June 20 ^th . Join your colleagues from 4:30—6:30 pm in the Exhibit and Poster Hall for complimentary hors d’oruvres and cocktails while exploring the exhibit areas.

The “Taste of Portland” will be held Sunday, June 22 at the Leftbank Annex, a post WWII industrial building that has become synonymous with the urban feel of the Portland metro area. The Willamette Valley of Echocardiography has teamed up with the ASE Foundation to host this event, which showcases the abundance of local organic food and beverages from local vintners and microbreweries. A little fact: Portland has more microbreweries within the city limits than any other city in the world. Along with that, there are 400+ vineyards in the surrounding Willamette Valley producing some of the best Pinot Noir. The focus of the event is to raise funds to support scholarships and travel grants that will be awarded to students entering the field of echocardiography with the goal of raising $10,000. The event will begin at 7:00 pm and feature a DJ to keep the night going until 12:00 am. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased during registration and all attendees are welcome and encouraged to attend. We hope to see you and your colleagues there!

Echo Jeopardy continues with host John Gorcsan, III, MD, FASE. In this fun-filled educational event, watch as teams are challenged with some interesting cases scattered throughout several different categories. It’s sure to be an interesting competition.

Heeling Hearts 5K Glow Run —“Making strides toward cardiovascular health:” On Friday, June 20 ^th join your colleagues by participating in this this nighttime 5K to light up the night sky with glow sticks as you enjoy great views from downtown Portland. Once you cross the finish line you’ll be greeted by an after party that will be just as much fun as the race itself! Proceeds from the race go toward cardiovascular health initiatives supported by the ASE Foundation. The race is open and advertised to the public as well as attendees.

I am excited to be the Sonographer Chair for the Silver Anniversary meeting and having you visit Portland. I hope some of the above will encourage you and your colleagues to attend. I highly encourage you to extend your trip a day or two to visit places such as the Columbia Gorge, Mt Hood, Mount St. Helens, and the Oregon coast.