Hard to believe, but even on the last day, we had a packed house at 7 AM for cases in congenital and valvular heart disease, followed by lectures on echo and cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic, infiltrative, and takotsubo syndrome. Bill Armstrong finished before the break with a great reality check on which of our new modalities are ready for prime-time clinical application. After the break we had a potpourri of topics from constriction to masses to source of embolism. Mike Main gave a fabulous talk about how echo can thrive through health care reform, which really taught me a lot about the fine print in the law. Then it was time for the grand finale, the MAITAI event (Mesmirized by All Interesting cases: Time for Audience Interpretation), where Jonathan and I presented in rapid fashion about 30 cases for audience response. Some of these were a bit silly (tetralogy of Fallot in a husky puppy) but gave a great test for the end of the course, a test which I’m pleased to say our registrants passed with flying colors. Then it was time to draw the curtain on Echo Hawaii 2013, while announcing our plans for Echo Hawaii 2014 right back at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel from January 20-24, 2014, with Jonathan taking the helm as course director.
While we were hard at it in the lecture hall, the Thomas, Kloster, and Rodriguez kids were trying their hand at surfing, with good success all around, rewarded with lunch at the Kona Brewing Company and a last evening at the Blue Dragon rocking to the Delta Blues of Mike Dennis and his Big Time R&B Band. Saturday was a day to stroll the beach, hike the trail to the Mauna Kea, and prepare psychically for the long flight home and re-immersion into full-on winter.
All agreed that Echo Hawaii 2013 was a huge success, with a great spirit from our international faculty and registrants and the best poster session ever. It has been my great pleasure and privilege to have served as course director for the past three years, and I know that Jonathan Lindner will do a fabulous job with the course moving forward. Watch www.asecho.org for upcoming news for Echo Hawaii 2014, so you can make your plans to attend next year’s meeting!
The sun isn’t even up, and folks are already gathering for breakfast ahead of the 7AM case presentations.
ASE’s Andrea van Hoever and Beth Fulk handling all issues and questions with the course.
ASE’s COO Hilary Lamb, who did a land-office business selling ASE products and apps.
The day is breaking ahead of the last morning.
Meanwhile, the Thomas, Kloster, and Rodriguez kids were getting prepped on the fine points of hanging ten in the surf.
Beth Thomas hanging ten with a big smile.
Linn Kloster showing us how it’s done.
Katarina Kloster and Daniel Rodriguez really digging in on a wave.
And Daniel Thomas gliding in on a successful surf.
Yes, that’s a dog on that paddle board, a great way to get around.
Beth and Daniel rewarding themselves with a beer float at the Kona Brewing Company. Not sure it would be for me…
A final gathering and de-briefing: Hilary Lamb, Katarina, Yngvil, Kjetill, and Jonathan.
Marilyn, Jonathan, and Emma Lindner.
Passing the Echo Hawaii baton to Jonathan.
A night of dancing at the Blue Dragon
Mike Dennis and his Big Time R&B Band rocking the crowd.
On Saturday morning, the girls checked out the yoga class.
A final hike along the shore to the Mauna Kea. The waves were quite a bit quieter than the week before.
The long view north. That’s the town of Kawaihae Harbor in the distance.
The last sunset.
With Beth and Daniel.
Going…going…gone….
And the delights of Cleveland weather upon my return.