Florida Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Workshop To Feature Presentations by Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., and Robert C. Smallridge, M.D.

On Saturday, May 7, 2005, thyroid cancer survivors and their families are invited to attend a free one-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the HealthPark, Lee Memorial Health System, 9981 South HealthPark Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33908.

The workshop is sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. <www.thyca.org>. The workshop coordinator is Jan Scheuerman of Cape Coral, Fla., the volunteer facilitator of the ThyCa Suncoast Support Group.

This educational and supportive event is FREE and open to people at all stages of testing and treatment for all types of thyroid cancer, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers.

The physician speakers include Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., F.A.C.P., Endocrinologist, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, Gainesville, Florida, who also is the President-Elect of the American Thyroid Association, and Robert C. Smallridge, M.D., Endocrinologist, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.

Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., F.A.C.P., Endocrinologist, is President-Elect of the American Thyroid Association, the professional association of clinicians and researchers involved in thyroid research and treatment. Dr. Mazzaferri is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. He has been involved in thyroid cancer care and research for many years. He is Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, a staff member of the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, and Emeritus Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University. In 1999 he chaired the National Cancer Center Network panel that issued the most up-to-date guidelines for the investigation and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer. He is the author of numerous publications for professional audiences.

Robert C. Smallridge, M.D., Endocrinologist, is Professor of Medicine at Mayo Medical School, as well as Chair of the Endocrinology Division at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, he completed further training at Grady-Emory University Veterans Affairs Hospitals and Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. The author of many publications, he also is a member of the American Thyroid Association's Publications Committee.

The physicians will speak and answer questions about all phases of thyroid cancer care, as well as research advances related to thyroid cancer. The day also includes survivor/caregiver support group roundtables led by ThyCa volunteers.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a voluntary nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization providing support services, resources, and publications, free of charge, to thyroid cancer survivors and their families. ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and an annual international Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference.

For more information about the free workshop and the other free support services and annual conference provided by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, call 239-542-6507 or 239-560-8495 or toll-free 1-877-588-7904, e-mail to the workshop coordinator, Jan Scheuerman at suncoast@thyca.org, or to thyca@thyca.org, or visit the web site.