In a departure from its previous 22 sessions for medical reporters-dating back to 1974 on an as-then largely undeveloped Marco Island, Fla.-the American Heart Association moved its 23rd annual Health & Science Journalists Forum from January to July this year and from more southerly settings to Portsmouth, NH.
Pronouncing itself pleased with science reporters' response, the association already is indicating that it will do the same summer scheduling next year, probably holding the forum in the Pacific Northwest or an upper Midwest state such as Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Cathy J. Yarbrough, the association's new manager of news media relations, presided over the Portsmouth forum with AHA veterans Ann Williams, John Weeks, and others. Yarbrough says one reason for the winter-to-summer change is that the January forums were thought by many to be too close to the AHA's big scientific meeting in November.
The now-retired (from AHA) Howard L. Lewis, maitre de of many a past forum, had planned to attend this one as a freelancer until a last-minute change in plans. But a mix of long-time and newcomer science writers did attend, including Jacques Poncin, science editor of Brussels' Le Soir newspaper; Jochen Aumiller, MD, of the Munich Medical Weekly, and Magne Nylenna, MD, PhD, of the Journal Of The Norwegian Medical Association, Oslo.
Lois Gaeta, New York City freelancer, was the first one in the hotel pool each morning (at 6 a.m.!) and-while there was no cut-around tennis tournament as during some of the Lewis-directed forums-Columbia University surgeon Mehmet C. Oz, MD, one of the speakers, stood ready to take on all would-be tennis contenders. (No one took him up on it.)
Jean McCann, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, freelancer who seems to cover every medical meeting in the world, was on hand, ranging forth from her artist-daughter's conveniently nearby Portsmouth apartment and Mark Bloom of Physician's Weekly made a cameo appearance en route to Maine.
At least one of the not-too-far-away Boston newspapers covered by telephone, but AP, UPI, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Medical Post, McCall's, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Columbus Dispatch, Dallas News, JAMA, and a number of other publications or broadcast organizations were on hand, with California freelancer Steve Stiles being one of those who came the farthest.
Despite the weather-disrupted arrival day-this time it was the dying downpour from Hurricane Bertha-that seems to characterize AHA science reporter forums, Portsmouth provided pleasant days for the rest of the program. Lightning and light rain tested the seagoing mettle of reporters prior to a Sunday evening harbor cruise, but the boat returned with all hands.
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Phil Gunby is editor and director of the Medical News Department of the Journal of the American Medical Association.