• Conference Brochure
• Conference Agenda
• Conference Speakers and Committee

Agendas are subject to change because we are always striving to improve the quality of your educational experience.  MD Anderson may substitute faculty with comparable expertise on rare occasions necessitated by illness, schedule conflicts and so forth. 

Please let us know what specific topics, issues or questions you wish to see addressed or emphasized in this activity. Fax CME/Conference Management at 713-794-1724 or email register@mdanderson.org. All responses will be forwarded to the Program Chair for consideration.

Focus

The activity is designed to improve the surgical technique of surgeons and residents who may be interested in performing robotic surgery for cancers of the chest.  Novices will find the course useful as a view into what the potential scope of robotic surgery may be for their practices in addition to obtaining hands-on experience of the surgical robot.  More experienced robotic surgeons will be able to advance their techniques and management by in-depth discussion and interaction with renowned guest faculty who are experts in in the field.  In addition to technical aspects of robotic chest surgery we will provide critical literature review to better define the value of robotic thoracic surgery relative to other minimally invasive approaches as well as traditional open ones.  By the end of the activity, the attendee should walk away with a broad understanding of the current state of robotic thoracic surgery, including many tips that will foster improved proficiency and better understanding of the possibilities as well as limitations of robotic surgery.

Educational Objectives

After attending this symposium, participants should be able to:

• Assess the oncologic effectiveness and procedural aspects of common robotic thoracic surgical procedures.  (knowledge, competence);
• Demonstrate an understanding of the indications, patient positioning, trocar placement and procedural steps to successfully perform robotic assisted pulmonary, esophageal and mediastinal resections for cancer to improve surgical proficiency (knowledge, competence, performance, patient outcomes);
• Discuss the potential complications and outcomes of perioperative and operative care of robotic lobectomy, segmentectomy, esophagectomy and thymectomy (knowledge);
• Assess the potential benefits, limitations and future of robotic thoracic surgery for cancer (knowledge, competence)

Evaluation

A course evaluation form will provide participants with the opportunity to comment on the value of the program content to their practice decisions, performance improvement activities, or possible impact on patient health status.  Participants will also have the opportunity to comment on any perceived commercial bias in the presentations as well as to identify future educational topics.

Accreditation/Credit Designation

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Skills

This course has been certified as a Level 2 course according to the AMA Guidelines on New Procedures and Skills Courses.  Level 2 Course: Verification of satisfactory completion of course objectives:  the physician satisfactorily met all specified learning objectives.

CME Certificates and Attendance Verification Certificates

Certificates awarding AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM or certificates documenting attendance will be distributed to participants as they depart the conference.  To obtain a CME certificate, physicians must submit a completed evaluation questionnaire and a CME Verification Form.

 Upon request, a record of attendance (certificate) will be provided on-site to other health care professionals for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies, or other professional associations.

• Pre-registration is now closed, you may register on-site registration and check-in opens at 7:00 am on Thursday, November 2, 2017 in the Onstead Auditorium foyer, Floor 3, of the Mitchell Basic Science Research Building (BSRB)
• The opening session of the conference will begin at 7:30 am and the symposium will adjourn Friday afternoon at 5:30 pm. 
• Advance registration is encouraged as space and materials are limited.  
• Please see the registration form for applicable fees.  

Registration Fees:

Postmarked before October 3, 2017

Physicians                                $500.00

Trainees/Fellows/
Students/Residents                  $300.00

STS Members                            $450.00

Simulation Labs                         $100.00

Postmarked After October 3, 2017

Physicians                                $550.00

Trainees/Fellows/
Students/Residents                  $350.00

STS Members                          $500.00

Simulation Labs                        No Space Available

The registration fee, minus a $50 administrative handling fee, is refundable if a written request is received on or before October 3, 2017.  No refunds will be granted after that date. The request for a registration refund must include the tax identification number of the company or institution if registration was paid by a company or institution check. 

The Department of CME/Conference Management reserves the right to cancel activities prior to the scheduled date if low enrollment or other circumstances make it necessary.  Each registrant will be notified by mail, e-mail, or at the phone or fax numbers given on the registration form. 

In case of activity cancellation, the liability of the Department of CME/Conference Management is limited to the registration fee.  CME/Conference Management will refund the full registration fee. 

The Department of CME/Conference Management reserves the right to limit the number of participants in a program and is not responsible for any expenses incurred by an individual whose registration is not confirmed and for whom space is not available.

For additional information, contact CME/Conference Management at 713-792-2223 or toll free at 866-849-5866.

Accommodations

• A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the Houston Marriott Medical Center Hotel, 6580 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030
• Early hotel reservation is suggested.
• The Marriott reservations phone number is 713-796-0080 or 1-800-228-9290. When you make reservations be sure to mention the Thoracic Oncology Robotic Conference, be sure to use the Group Rate Code TONTONA to be assured of receiving the special meeting rate of $109.00 single or double occupancy. Please add 17% Texas State and local taxes. 
• Reservations and deposits received after Friday, October 6, 2017, will be confirmed if space is available and at current hotel published guest room rates.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

(prices are subject to change and variable depending on location of conference)

• Houston is served by two airports, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P.Hobby (HOU).
• Taxicabs are available at an estimated cost for $50-60, to or from William P. HobbyAirport or George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
• Super Shuttle operates a shuttle bus between George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Hobby Airport and the Houston Marriott Medical Center for $27 one-way and $54 round-trip.  For more information, call 713-523-8888 or toll-free at 800-258-3826 or online at www.supershuttle.com.

Parking is located at the intersection of Bertner Avenue and Moursund Street in the John P. McGovern Commons Building, which is directly behind the George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building. The cost for parking is $12.  There is an EasyPay Stations on the first floor, instead of a cashier. The EasyPay Station is a self-serve payment station and will take cash or credit cards.  You feed your ticket into the machine, it tells you how much you owe, you then pay that amount and the machine returns your "paid" ticket.  Take the "paid" ticket to the exit gate and feed it into a machine there to raise the gate and exit the garage.

Take the elevators to the first floor. Walk through the breezeway into the Basic Science Research building and the elevators are directly inside. Take the elevator to the third floor. Turn to the right as you exit the elevators. 

Click here for a map.

• Driving Directions

• Houston Visitor Information

Photographing, audio taping and videotaping are prohibited.

Contact the Department of CME/Conference Management at 713-792-2223 or toll free at 866-849-5866 if you have any special dietary or ADA accommodation needs.