From the SELA President: A New Enemy, an Age-Old Mission

As I write this, it is nearly impossible to address anything related to health care and medicine without mentioning COVID19. Indeed, this pandemic has effected changes most of us never imagined. Lives have been lost. Families have suffered. Unemployment is rampant. The tension between restoring the economy and respecting the virus is palpable. There remains much uncertainty.

Meanwhile, our SELA chapter has been working diligently with NELA under the leadership of Dr. Ed Goldenberg to bring you this issue of LipidSpin. We are very proud of this effort to share with you relevant and practical “Evidence-Informed” guidance and strategy. I express my personal thanks to each contributor for their willingness to contribute during these very distracting times, and to our Editors and staff for making this happen.

Our SELA membership remains strong. Our rising Officers and current Board Members s are energetic, committed, and diverse. Our staff is the best. The future of SELA, and the NLA, is in good hands. On closing note, I ask the following question: What, if anything, have we learned from this pandemic that applies to our mission as Lipid Specialists?

Firstly, we are reminded of the dedication and selflessness of all health care workers around the world. We see them at work in the emergency room, the intensive care unit, the public health department, and our primary care offices. But their commitment did not start with this virus, and it will not end with this virus. Let’s remember to thank everyone in every aspect of health care now, and in the future.

Secondly, we are reminded that most everything in science is connected in some manner. We initially viewed this novel coronavirus as a respiratory pathogen, only to learn that cardiac injury was a frequent presentation of COVID-19 victims, and a common cause of death.

We have all seen those coronary artery aneurysms in our practices, or at least in our training. We must continue to be inquisitive, observant, and receptive to new learning.

Lastly, COVID-19 has resulted in a tremendous dedication of resources, money, and public compliance. And rightly so. But what if we devoted the same to a “pandemic” which, year after year, claims a life every minute of every day: cardiovascular disease. Eventually, COVID19 will be history (we hope), either by mutation or innovation. But cardiovascular disease appears to be here to stay. There are so many contributing factors, including lipids. Let’s hope we can wage an equally committed war going forward.

Thank you for the opportunity and honor to serve as President of SELA for the 2019-2020 term. We have experienced an eventful year which has demanded flexibility and patience. Hopefully, we have learned valuable lessons. Your continued membership and dedication to lipid management is invaluable in is what makes SELA and NLA strong during these uncertain times.