Plenary Sessions

Hear firsthand what it’s like to live, and thrive, with a chronic disease from the celebrities and other well-known people in this new Assembly feature. Following each personal story, leading physicians discuss diagnosis, management, and patient care. The following speakers have been confirmed to date.

Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999, talks about her life with diabetes and how she has accomplished so much in spite of her illness. Steve Edelman, MD, discusses best practices for diagnosis and treatment.

In-kind support of Ms. Johnson provided by the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute.

Grace Anne Dorney Koppel, wife of TV journalist Ted Koppel, suffers with COPD. Hear her story of misdiagnosis and her struggle to be heard. Dennis E. Doherty, MD, FCCP, will give the latest clinical pearls for family physicians.

Supported in part by grants to the AAFP from Pfizer Inc. and Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Actor Sally Field shares her experience with osteoporosis and the importance of motivating women to improve their bone health. Stuart Silverman, MD, reviews emerging strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

In-kind support of Ms. Field provided by Roche.

Actor Patty Duke tells her story of bipolar disorder and her long road to recovery. She won an Oscar for her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. Psychiatrist Stanley Oakley, MD, identifies different types of bipolar disorders.

Supported in part by a grant to the AAFP from AstraZeneca.

James Rosser, M.D., a noted surgeon, and his wife Dana share their personal story on the challenges associated with living with obesity, his decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery and the weight he has lost -- and the life they have gained as a result of the procedure. Following the presentation, Dr. Philip Schauer will present an overview of gastric bypass surgery, including who is a candidate, warning signs, the procedure, and life after surgery from the physician's perspective. He will describe the family physician's role in the team approach including surgeon, patient and family.