Sunday evening kicked off with the opening ceremony of the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine!
ASRM President Roger Lobo offered welcoming remarks and reflected with pride on his year as the organization’s leader. He shared accomplishments made by the Society and predicted further successes as the Society and its members continue Realizing Scientific Dreams, the theme of this year’s meeting.
Dr. Lobo then introduced President-elect Dolores Lamb who welcomed ASRM’s international members and congratulated the International Federation of Fertility Societies for celebrating sixty years of service.
Immediate Past President William Gibbons thanked the many generous supporters of ASRM. He recognized and thanked the Corporate Member Council for their service and contributions to the organization.
Next, Dr. Lobo presented several awards. The Distinguished Researcher Award went to to Joe Leigh Simpson, MD, of Florida International University; the Ira and Ester Rosenwaks New Investigator Award went to Lubna Pal, MBBS, MS of Yale University, and the Suheil J. Muasher, MD Distinguished Service Award went to Alan H. DeCherney, MD of the National Institutes of Health.
Special recognition was also given to Dr. Kamran S. Moghissi, who was honored for having attended every ASRM annual meeting since 1961. That’s 50 years! Congratulations, Dr. Moghissi.
Three wonderful endowments were highlighted. The first, a $1.3 billion endowment from Dr. Kwang-Yul Cha to support stem cell science and research grants for young investigators, a second gift of $250,000 from Dr. Camran Nezhat to support a plenary lecture on innovative breakthroughs with direct impact on patient care, and a third gift of $100,000 from Drs. Cappy Rothman and Charles Sims to allow trainees in male infertility to attend ASRM annual meetings.
Dr. Lobo aired a video presentation in which ASRM leaders shared what “Realizing Scientific Dreams” meant to them.
And special guest Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance, leading attendees to the buses that then departed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the evening’s reception.
