Call for Papers for March Conference

Call for Papers 9th International IACFS/ME Conference Developing Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Related Illnesses March 12-15, 2009 Reno, Nevada (Lake Tahoe area) DEADLINE extended to November 1st The Conference Planning Committee of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME (IACFS/ME) invites potential presenters to submit abstracts for our next biennial meeting, which will be held in Reno, Nevada, March 12-15, 2009. Integrative conference themes will focus on fatigue, pain, sleep, pediatrics, cognition and brain function in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Related Illnesses (e.g., cancer fatigue). In addition, different segments will address advances in assessment and treatment (from biological to behavioral), as well as new developments in immunology, virology, and neuroendocrine research. There will also be lectures and professional workshops on “newest clinical protocols”, “what genes can teach us” and “CFS state of the science / art; where does the research go from here?” Papers will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Committee for selection as an oral lecture, short oral presentation, or poster presentation. Attendees to IACFS/ME conferences are primarily biomedical and behavioral professionals, including clinicians, academic researchers, and educators. Papers should reflect this level of experience and expertise. It is anticipated that this event will be accredited for continuing medical education for Category 1 CME (physicians), CNE for nurses, and CPE for pharmacists. Abstracts selected will be published in the conference syllabus. Abstracts Abstracts must be non- commercial and focus on one or more of the areas indicated above. Abstract format: one page maximum in length (single spaced, 12 point font, one inch margins), listing all authors with presenting author first in bold, affiliated institution(s), and these headings in the text: Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusion. Include at bottom of page: presenting author’s full name, academic credentials, and mailing address with city, state or province, zip or postal code, country, and E-mail address. Standard Submission Process Please E-mail abstracts (as Microsoft Word attachment or in body of e-mail) to greg@iacfsme.org no later than November 1, 2008. Presenting author will be contacted in November 2008 and advised if submitted abstract (s) or short oral presentation, the presenting author will be required to provide a Curriculum Vitae and complete necessary forms as directed in order to comply with AACME requirements for accreditation. Authors will be advised of the date and time of their presentation. If selected as a poster presenter, presenting author will be provided with specifications for presentation and display. Submission of Rapid Communications (Posters Only) Using the same abstract and submission requirements above, potential presenters may submit a poster abstract by January 15, 2009. Accepted Rapid Communications posters will be published in the conference program. Questions: Regarding papers or the submission process should be directed to IACFS/ME Administrative Office, Attention: Greg Fillmore; E-mail: greg@iacfsme.org Phone 847-258-7248 Learn the benefits of membership! Join IACFS/ME Visit www.iacfsme.org The International Association for CFS/ME 27 N. Wacker Drive Suite 416 Chicago, IL 60606 admin@iacfsme.org Open Letter to IACFS/ME members and fatigue-interested professionals Dear IACFS/ME Member: I am hoping that the March 2009 IACFS/ME International Meeting to be held in Reno, Nevada (USA) will be our best meeting ever! The breadth and depth of presentations, literally from around the world, will afford each of us an opportunity to discover new facets of CFS/ME and related illnesses. Just as importantly, this international meeting will afford us an opportunity to discuss our interests with colleagues and friends, and to learn of the interests and experiences of colleagues previously unmet. The IACFS/ME International Meeting also affords us an opportunity to increase the breadth of scope of CFS/ME research by piquing the interests of young investigators and investigators to-be. What better place to introduce graduate students or a younger colleague to the opportunities of CFS/ME research and complex issues that need to be addressed than at this meeting? Please consider bringing a graduate student or younger colleague to the March 2009 International Meeting. More senior investigators will benefit from discussions with individuals whose training is somewhat different from theirs and perhaps have different approaches to research challenges. Younger investigators and graduate students will benefit from the experiences of mature colleagues who have worked on various aspects of CFS/ME and may spark a new interest in those who are at the beginning of their careers. In short, make the March 2009 International Meeting more robust and more stimulating by encouraging a younger colleague or graduate to join us and participate in our biennial event. I am looking forward to seeing the two of you at the meeting! Sincerely, Kenneth J. Friedman, Chair of Membership IACFS/ME

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Literally, if it kills me, I plan to be in Reno for this conference.  It's two hours up the freeway, a little longer by Amtrak, and will give me a chance to talk to the doctors about things that I'd like to see researched, and how much money needs to be raised in order to get that research done.