ASRT January 2009 Newsletter
ASRT January 2009 Newsletter
ASRT member updates, including recent developments and progress made by the society.
Jan 10th, 2009
Dear ASRT Member:
We would like to update you, as a member of the ASRT, on the recent developments and progress made by the society. As you may be aware, the ASRT is hosting a scientific symposium entitled “The Next Level in Reconstructive Transplantation” during the ASRM annual meeting in Maui, Hawaii. The scientific presentations will include surgical as well as immunological topics and feature prominent speakers such as T. E. Starzl and M. Siemionow, who will give a presentation on the face transplantation recently performed in Cleveland. A number of ASRT members took advantage of the low registration fee of $50 for this session. The scientific session will be held on January 13th at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa in Maui, HI. For details including the full program please visit our website at
http://www.a-s-r-t.com/news/36-upcoming-conferences/45-first-conference.html
We are looking forward to an interesting and interactive scientific session with many ASRT members in Maui.
The ASRT website is now live and can be visited under www.a-s-r-t.com. Every member should have received username and password. Please send a brief note to Matt Hogan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have not received this information or if you have trouble with access. You are encouraged to use the member communication tools or submit requests to the Scientific Advisory Board. Also, you can now get access to the presentations from the inaugural ACRTS meeting in Philadelphia in July 2008. Important news are being featured on the Homepage of our website and you can find additional “news” if you click on the corresponding link on the upper right corner. We will further expand the content of the website and make it more comprehensive and informative as we go along. If you have important news to share with the members of our society please send and e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Several Committees as well as a Scientific Advisory Board have been established to address topics of particular relevance and importance for the ASRT:
Scientific Advisory Board (Chairs: Suzanne Ildstad, M.D., Ph.D., Xin Xiao Zheng, M.D.)
ASRT Fundraising Committee (Chair: Scott Levin, M.D.)
ByLaws Committee (Chair: Andrew WP Lee, M.D.)
Donor Legislation Committee (Chairs: Sue McDiarmid, M.D., Warren Breidenbach, M.D)
Funding Consortium Committee (Chairs: Linda Cendales, M.D., Warren Breidenbach, M.D)
Nomination Committee (ASRT Board Members)
Website Committee (Chair: Justin Sacks, M.D.)
Chairs and members of each committee can be viewed under “Committees” on the ASRT website. The committee chairs are coordinating each committee to address the issues of relevance. The establishment of these committees will enable the ASRT to expedite the progress of this novel field.
At this point we are also accepting applications to host the Bi-annual Scientific Conference in 2010. Applications should be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications should include a basic draft including the venue, scientific focus, educational goals and a plan for funding. They will be viewed and scored by the chairs of the Scientific Advisory Board and presented to the ASRT board for a final decision. Deadline for submission of applications is March 28th 2009.
As the extended period for Founding Members to sign up has ended, we have begun preparation of Certificates for each Founding Member and Full Member. Certificates will be sent out in January.
The ASRT has been featured on newsletters from the ASRM, the ASPN and the AAHS. Further, articles submitted at the ACRTS will be published in a Special Edition of Transplantation Proceedings in the Jan/Feb edition and the name of our Society will appear on the cover and be featured in the Preface.
In summary, I believe we have been making good progress with the establishment of the ASRT. We welcome any suggestions to further improve the service to our members. As mentioned in our mission statement, the ASRT shall be an inclusive Society, which values input from its members and encourages their active participation.
With kind regards and best wishes for 2009
Stefan Schneeberger, M.D.
ASRT President