Special Topic Breakout Sessions

This is a new offering at the 2025 Annual Meeting. During the course of the meeting, we will be offering small group interactive satellite sessions (offered in parallel to the scientific program). Each session costs $25 to attend and will be led by experts in the field. These breakout session will be capped at 20 participants. You can sign up for any of these offerings when you register for the 2025 AAES Annual Meeting.

Starting a Robotic Adrenalectomy Program (Saturday 5/17, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
Moderators: Jennifer Rosen, MD and Tanaz Vaghaiwalla, MD
Panelists: Iuliana Bobanga, MD and Feibi Zheng, MD
In this panel session, you will hear from endocrine surgeons in various stages of practice who will describe their experiences in developing a robotic adrenalectomy program. The panel will discuss the advantages and challenges of bringing this surgical approach to your institution. Key themes will include training considerations and program integration into daily practice. The panel features speakers from diverse practice settings who will review the essential success strategies and common pitfalls to equip surgeons with the tools necessary to start their own robotic adrenalectomy program.

Should I invest in parathyroid autofluorescence technology? (Saturday 5/17, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Moderators: Melanie Lyden, MD and Dawn Elfenbein, MD
Panelists: Eren Berber, MD and Denise Carneiro-Pla, MD
This session will feature two experts sharing their perspectives and experience with this technology. Expert surgeons will share their insights on how they are currently utilizing parathyroid autofluorescence, limitations they have encountered, cost considerations, and challenges related to implementing it in clinical practice. Hear practical advice for integrating this technology into everyday use.

Integrating an APP Into Your Practice (Sunday 5/18, 7:45 AM - 8:45 AM)
Moderators: Carolyn Garner, MD; David Bimston, MD; Kristin Long, MD; and Megan Yarrington, PA
This session will bring together diverse perspectives from academic, solo private practice, and multidisciplinary community-based academic practice. Our panelists will share their experiences identifying the need for an APP, the hiring process, integration into office and OR settings, salary and benefits, reimbursement considerations, and long-term retention. Expect a candid conversation on both the successes and challenges of maintaining APPs in surgical practice.

Lobectomy vs. Total Thyroid – The Debate Goes On (Sunday 5/18, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
Moderators: Leon Kushnir, MD, CPE and Samuel Long, MD
Panelists: Masha Livhits, MD and Daniela Treitl, MD
In this engaging sixty-minute session, we will explore best practices for determining the extent of surgery for indeterminate and malignant thyroid nodules.  Our expert panelists will discuss their insights and experiences in both the community and academic settings, focusing on the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative findings that influence their preferred approach.  This session will be a case-based format with real-life scenarios as well as an open forum for lively debate and discussion.

Making the Most of your RFA Program: Tips and Tricks (Sunday 5/18, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM)
Moderators: Jennifer Kuo, MD and Richard Harding, MD
In this informal session, meet with two experts in RFA who will share their unique perspectives from an academic institution and private practice setting on optimizing and growing the RFA program at your institution with a focus on lessons learned along their journey with this new burgeoning technology. Participants are encouraged to bring specific business plans and/or questions that they would like addressed, and to be prepared to engage in active discussion. 

Securing Funding for Your Research Program (Sunday 5/18, 2:45 PM - 4:15 PM)
Moderators: Benjamin James, MD and Heather Wachtel, MD
Panelists: Carrie Cunningham, MD, MPH; Xavier Keutgen, MD; and Martha Zeiger, MD
In this session, we will discuss research funding opportunities including NIH, society, philanthropic, intramural and other funding options. Following the didactic sessions, participants will work in small groups along with dedicated faculty with expertise in health outcomes, basic and translational research, to review and refine specific aims. Participants are encouraged to bring a Specific Aims page for personalized feedback. This session will be 90 minutes in length.