Psoriasis Advance
Hundreds of attendees get on board at national conference

From September/October 2004 Psoriasis Advance

First posted Sept. 2, 2004

Decked out in a surfing wetsuit, National Psoriasis Foundation Member Matthew Kiselica spontaneously kicked off the National Psoriasis Foundation® 2004 National Conference and took our "Get on board" conference theme to new heights.

Member Matthew Kiselia Click to enlarge More photos

He and fellow Members and message board friends Mike Kammer and P.J. Leary took center stage Friday night and presented two awards--one to National Psoriasis Foundation founder Beverly Foster Halprin and one to the Psoriasis Foundation staff.

This surprise announcement, made with humor and conviction, applauded Foster Halprin's impact on the psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis community and delighted Foundation staff as Kiselica recognized them for making a difference through advocacy, patient services, education and research funding.

The presentation took place in the exhibit hall where 30 exhibitor-partners flowed into two rooms, dispensing information and samples for a variety of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treatments.

Saturday morning, Leslie Holsinger, Psoriasis Foundation Board of Trustees chairman, formally kicked off the conference with a welcome to the nearly 400 attendees. No stranger to the disease, which has affected generations of her family, Holsinger talked of her personal and professional commitment to the Foundation.

Keynote speaker Candace Howerton Click to enlarge More photos

Following Holsinger, keynote speaker Candace Howerton took the stage and delivered a humorous, heartwarming account of her stroke and her ensuing work to overcome her stroke-related disabilities. A lifelong actress and vibrant personality, Howerton spoke passionately about the importance of not giving up and how emotional support groups helped her to recover.

Psoriasis Foundation President and CEO Gail Zimmerman emphasized Howerton's message of how we can't control everything that happens to us, but we can take action, such as by advocating for more research funding for psoriasis treatments: "We need to be out there on Capitol Hill advocating for more research funding, and build support by increasing our presence in local areas."

HealthTalk presented an informative and interesting dialogue between Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Abby Van Voorhees, M.D. and HealthTalk moderator Rick Turner, providing a good overview of treatment options, from topicals to light therapy to systemics to biologics. Case studies included treatment for various types of psoriasis, psoriasis in kids, emotional support, stress and the doctor-patient relationship. In one poignant case study, Dr. Van Voorhees answered a question about the emotional issues of being clear. "We're seeing that as some get effective treatments, there is some confusion as to how to shift gears," she said.

John Tesser, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.R., and Abby Van Voorhees, M.D. on HealthTalk Webcast Click to enlarge More photos

Also as part of the HealthTalk Webcast, John Tesser, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.R., offered insight into diagnosing and managing psoriatic arthritis. He emphasized that new treatments are making psoriatic arthritis easier to manage, but that doctors need to continue to look at improving the patient's overall quality of life. Dr. Tesser discussed improving function and preventing damage through stress management and physical exercise. Throughout the day, attendees learned and shared experiences in a variety of workshops, including psoriasis treatments, stress management and relationships. Mark Lebwohl, M.D., offered practical advice on using biologics for psoriasis. Dr. Lebwohl ran through the advantages and disadvantages of many biologics, offering first-hand feedback from patients and physicians and discussion on self-injection.

Many conference-goers learned during the relationships and intimacy workshop that intimacy, like psoriasis, changes with the cycle of life's stresses and joys. The key, according to workshop presenters Tena Brown and Stephen Rapp, Ph.D., is to prevent your thoughts and feelings about your psoriasis from projecting on others. You set the tone for how other people react to and accept you.

Len Walt, M.D., M.B.A., led a stress management workshop that provided attendees with more than information about managing psoriasis with diet and exercise. He taught all a five-minute relaxation technique that works by meditation, visualizing calmness and redirecting negative stimulus.

Tropical beats accompany Saturday reception Click to enlarge More photos

At the end of the concentrated and informative afternoon, attendees relaxed at a lively reception where conference organizers turned a hotel meeting room into a surfside gathering spot. Attendees enjoyed food and libations and warm-weather rhythms.

Sunday's general session kicked off loudly as attendees rattled clappers, tooted horns and rang bells to "Make Some Noise" in support of August as Psoriasis Awareness Month. The merriment is quickly becoming a trademark of the national conference and the annual Psoriasis Awareness Month campaign.

After the noise subsided, Gail Zimmerman presented an award to Board of Trustees member Ed Reiss, who has been instrumental in leading many of the Foundation's interactive and research projects, and who has been a key consultant on the Psoriasis Foundation Web site.

Barbara Butler, a long-time Psoriasis Foundation supporter and former member of the Board of Trustees, explained the changing role of the National Institutes of Health in psoriasis research funding, and how attendees can advocate for more funding from this instrumental organization.

Tai chi for psoriatic arthritis participants Click to enlarge More photos

Sunday afternoon workshops featured sessions on tai chi, insurance and employment issues, "it works for me" and researching information online. Click here to access the Internet handout presented at the E-help workshop.

Throughout it all, the 2004 national conference brought people together to help ride the wave of their disease. Moreover, the learning, sharing and friendship-building during the weekend helped hundreds of attendees get on board with advocacy, outreach and research efforts. The Psoriasis Foundation gratefully acknowledges the dedicated speakers, volunteers and event sponsors Amgen and Wyeth, Biogen Idec and Genentech for their support in helping to make this conference possible.