HCMA is proud to offer this in-depth educational platform for patients, families and health care providers.”
Morristown, NJ (PRWEB) May 21, 2014
On May 30-June 1, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) will hold its 16th annual meeting, “Navigating the HCM Heart” at Morristown Medical Center. According to HCMA, a national, nonprofit organization (4hcm.org), HCM is the most common of all genetic heart conditions, affecting 1 in 500 people – or as many as an estimated 600,000 people in the United States.
HCM can afflict people of either gender or any age or ethnic background. “HCM is an equal opportunity disease,” said Lisa Salberg, founder and CEO of HCMA.
According to Martin Maron, MD, Director of the Chanin T. Mast Center for HCM at Morristown Medical Center (MMC), it is “a genetic disease that causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood or relax and fill with blood.” Dr. Maron added, “Many people with HCM can and do live long and productive lives, but it is also the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in children, teens and young adults.”
While much has been learned about HCM over the years, more research, education and support are needed. World-renowned experts in HCM – cardiologists, internists and registered nurses -- from institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, University of Michigan Health System, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will join Dr. Maron. They will present on various aspects of HCM in children and adults and discuss the most current clinical knowledge of the disease. The international faculty represents some of the greatest minds in HCM care.
“Our Morristown Medical Center partners recently opened a new center of excellence for patients seeking comprehensive HCM care. The Mast Center is the only one of its kind in the tri-state area and is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of HCM. “Morristown is the ideal location for our event,” said Ms. Salberg. “HCMA is proud to offer this in-depth educational platform for patients, families and health care providers.”
For more information or to view the conference agenda, visit 4hcm.org. To arrange interviews with any of the experts, including Ms. Salberg and Dr. Maron, or to attend the event, contact:
Maggie Goldberg
973-971-4932
Margaret.Goldberg(at)atlantichealth(dot)org
Amy Losak
646-935-3917
Amy.Losak(at)ketchum(dot)com
About the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA)
Founded in 1996 by Lisa Salberg, the HCMA is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization that provides comprehensive information about Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic disease that causes a thickening of the heart muscle. The HCMA provides support and advocacy for HCM patients and their families and medical providers to help prevent untimely deaths and advance global understanding about this incurable disease. For more information, visit http://www.4hcm.org or call 973-983-7429.
About Morristown Medical Center
Morristown Medical Center, located in Morristown, NJ, is part of Atlantic Health System, one of the largest non-profit health care systems in New Jersey. Accredited by The Joint Commission, the hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top hospital nationwide for cardiology, heart surgery, gynecology and geriatrics. Morristown Medical Center also ranked as a “Best Regional Hospital” for cancer, diabetes & endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics as well as gastroenterology & GI Surgery, nephrology, pulmonology and urology. Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute performs more cardiac surgeries than any other hospital in New Jersey, placing its cardiac program in the top two percent in the country. Morristown Medical Center is verified as a Level I Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated a Level II by the state of New Jersey and was re-designated a Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing Service, the highest level of recognition by American Nurses Credentialing Center for facilities that provide acute care services, a distinction awarded to less than five percent of U.S. hospitals. For more information, please visit AtlanticHealth.org/Morristown. For more information, visit AtlanticHealth.org/Morristown.