2025 AAES Annual Meeting Panel Sessions

Lunch Session: Treatment of Thyroid Cancer in the Era of Targeted Agents
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:30 pm CT

Moderator: David Hughes, MD, University of Michigan
Panelists: Gil Fareau, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin; Rosemarie Metzger, MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine/Banner University Medical Center Phoenix; and Kepal Patel, MD, New York University

This multidisciplinary panel of experts will discuss mutational testing and targeted treatments for poorly differentiated, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid cancer in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. The timing and conduct of surgery for these cancers will be discussed and a case discussion will provide practical tips for management of these patients.

Breakfast Session: Using EHR to Optimize Surgical Care
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7:00 am CT

Moderator: David Schneider, MD, University of Wisconsin
Panelists: Alaa Sada, MD, University of Pittsburgh; James Suliburk, MD, Baylor College of Medicine; Rachel Kelz, MD, University of Pennsylvania; and F. Thurston Drake, MD, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center; and Snehal Patel, MD, Emory University

This session, “Using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to Optimize Surgical Care,” will delve into the ways surgeons can leverage technology to improve care of patients with endocrine disease, drive more value from their hospital systems, and improve patient and provider wellness. In this interactive session, the audience will participate via a web-based polling system to give speakers and moderators real-time feedback about content presented. 

• Introduction, Alaa Sada (5 minutes)
• "Low-tech to High-tech: Single-click referrals for comprehensive incidentaloma care,"  F Thurston Drake (10 minutes)
• “Scaling Subspeciality Expertise to Population Care via the EHR,” James Suliburk (10 minutes)
• “Using the EHR to Augment Intelligence in Surgical Care,” Rachel Kelz (10 minutes)
• “Just Talk to Your Patients: AI Removes the Computer Between You and Your Patients,” Dave Schneider (10 minutes)
• Moderated Discussion, Snehal Patel (15 minutes)

Panel Session: The Challenges of Re-operative Parathyroid Surgery
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 9:30 am CT

Moderator: Rebecca Sippel, MD, University of Wisconsin
Panelists: Joyce Shin, MD, Cleveland Clinic; Carmen Solórzano, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Doug Fraker MD, University of Pennsylvania; Jason Pinchot, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Parathyroid surgery can be some of the most fun and rewarding surgeries we do, but they can also be some of the most challenging. When a first parathyroid operation has failed to cure the disease, the challenges of a re-operative parathyroidectomy can be daunting.  In this interactive case based panel discussion, learn from the experts on how they approach re-operative parathyroid cases and what adjuncts and tips and tricks they use to maximize their success rates.

Panel Session: Collaborative Efforts to Improve Quality
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 1:45 pm CT

Moderators: Aarti Mathur, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Gustavo Romero-Velez, MD, Cleveland Clinic
Panelists: Aarti Mathur, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Judy Jin, MD, Cleveland Clinic; Rebecca Sippel, MD, University of Wisconsin; and Gustavo Romero-Velez, MD, Cleveland Clinic

This session will explore the concept of quality in endocrine surgery. We will discuss key quality metrics, measurement tools, and the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in enhancing quality outcomes. 

Panel Session: Streamlining Perioperative Care in Endocrine Surgery: Real-World Implementation Strategies for Success
Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:20 am CT

Moderator: Lilah Morris-Wiseman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Panelists: David Velasquez Fernandez, MD, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; Reese Randle, MD, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist; Heather Wachtel, MD, University of Pennsylvania; and James Wu, MD, University of California, Los Angeles

Join us for a dynamic discussion with experts who have successfully implemented innovative strategies to optimize perioperative care in endocrine surgery. This panel will explore cutting-edge, real-world approaches - with a focus on implementation strategies - to improving patient outcomes, standardizing care, and enhancing efficiency. Session will be moderated by Dr. Lilah Morris-Wiseman, Chair of the AAES Patient Advocacy Committee.

• Dr. David Velasquez Fernandez will share insights on protocolizing perioperative management for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing parathyroidectomy, ensuring streamlined, evidence-based care.
• Dr. Reese Randle will discuss the evidence behind perioperative management strategies for patients with Graves' disease undergoing thyroidectomy.
• Dr. Heather Wachtel will highlight the impact of an EHR-based screening tool for primary aldosteronism, demonstrating how technology-driven workflows can enhance early detection and intervention.
• Dr. James Wu will present on the success of an opioid opt-in protocol for thyroid and parathyroid surgery, significantly reducing opioid prescriptions while maintaining effective pain management.

This engaging session will provide actionable takeaways on leveraging protocols, technology, and system-wide initiatives to improve perioperative outcomes in endocrine surgery. Whether you're looking to refine your current practices or implement new strategies, this panel is not to be missed!