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GeneralInfoAnnual
About the ABHP Minority Health Conference and Annual Meeting
The ABHP Minority Health Conference and Annual Meeting is a unique event that offers an opportunity to participate in a multidisciplinary program that focuses on improving the lives for those at highest risk for poor health. This conference will include timely educational programming on improving outcomes in special patient populations, contributed poster presentations, business meetings, and social and networking events.
Conference Overview
Life expectancy and overall health have improved in recent years for most Americans, thanks in part to an increased focus on preventive medicine and dynamic new advances in medical technology. However, not all Americans are benefiting equally. For too many racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, good health is elusive, since appropriate care is often associated with an individual's economic status, race, and gender. Disparities in the burden of illnesses experienced by blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders, compared to the U.S. population as a whole demands national attention. Groups currently experiencing poorer health status are expected to grow as a proportion of the total U.S. population; therefore, the future health of America as a whole will be influenced substantially by improving the health of these racial and ethnic minorities. Eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations is one of the goals of the Health People 2010 initiative. One cornerstone of efforts to improve health care and quality of life in minority populations is education of health care providers. While therapeutic goals and interventions for managing various diseases states are consistent among minority and non-minority patients, health care providers need an understanding of the cultural differences in the patient populations and specific strategies that can lead to improved patient outcomes. This conference is designed to educate health care practitioners about conditions ethnic groups may be predisposed to, understanding cultural differences when developing treatment plans, and providing the tools and information to ensure compliance and adherence.
Conference Goals
- Educate health care providers on critical issues regarding minority health and the associated disparities in special patient populations.
- Present new and emerging diagnostic and treatment modalities for managing diseases that impact minority populations.
- Provide opportunities for skill building, information-sharing and networking.
- Present research and statistics related to the current status of racial and ethnic health disparities and recommendations of solutions.
- Provide a forum for the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and strategies to address health disparities among minority populations.
- Provide attendees with the practical tools to improve outcomes for those at highest risk for poor health, including racial and ethnic minorities, and economically disadvantaged populations.
International Attendees
ABHP would like to invite and welcome all of our international colleagues to the 4th ABHP Minority Health Conference and Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas. Here you will find links to all the information you need to maximize your experience at the 4th ABHP Minority Health Conference and Annual Meeting. See below to get an answer to some of the most frequently asked questions about the conference.
VIP and International Registrants Reception
Plaza I & II – 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Please join our President, Dr. Earnest Alexander and the ABHP Board of Directors at a special reception for our VIP and International Registrants on Friday, May 21, 2010. The reception is an opportunity to network with your friends/colleagues from around the US and the world. It is also our modest way of saying thank your for your support and participation. Light refreshments will be served.
Visa Information
Clicking on the link below will take you to the web site of the U.S. Department of State, the official United States visa information source. Travelers are advised to apply for visas well in advance of intended travel dates. The web site contains information about visa requirements, the locations of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, and wait times for visa interview appointments and processing.
Pharmacy Tour
ABHP will provide a local tour of one of the major hospital’s pharmacy department in the Texas Medical Center. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hospital site. The tour will be provided on Friday, May 21, 2010 if at least 10 people indicate that they are interested. If you are interested in going on the tour, click here to indicate your response or send an email to abhp@myabhp.org.
International Poster Presenters
To encourage international participation in the ABHP Minority Health Conference, the ABHP will accept all international poster submission that follows the Guidelines for Poster Submission. Abstracts must be submitted in Microsoft Word format only. To submit an abstract, click on the online Abstract Submission Form or email your abstract to: abhp@myabhp.org. For questions regarding submissions and Abstract guidelines, send an email to abhp@myabhp.org or download the Guidelines for Poster Submission and Abstracts. You may pick up your Certificate of Poster Presentation at the ABHP Registration Desk at the meeting.
Certificates of Attendance
Certificates of Attendance are available at the main Registration Desk.
Cancellation Policy for the 4th ABHP Minority Health Conference and Annual Meeting
To receive a full-meeting refund, confirmed registrations must be cancelled in writing on or before May 7 (postmark or fax date). Written cancellations postmarked or faxed May 8- through May 20 will be subject to a $50 handling charge. Refunds will be issued only for cancellations postmarked or faxed before May 21.
Awards Banquet
Plaza Ballroom – 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
You don’t want to miss the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 22, 2010. The ticket cost for the banquet is included in the full registration fee. Attendees who pay full registration before May 14 will have tickets available in their registration packets. Separate tickets may also be purchased in advance on line at www.myabhp.org/TicketOrderForm.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Organizing the Event?
The primary host organization is the Association of Black Health-system Pharmacists (ABHP). The ABHP is categorized as a 501 (c) (6) tax-exempt, Non-profit organization, whose tax ID number is 20-8692180. Supporting host organizations will include several minority and health care organizations.
Is This Conference Only for Minorities?
Absolutely not! It should be emphasized that the conference is open to all health care professionals, students and any one interested in the minority health and health disparities topics being presented.
Who is Expected to Attend?
The programs are designed for pharmacists and any other health professionals interested in updating their knowledge on health disparities and recent advances in the management and treatment of diseases affecting minority patients. Several hundred people, including international colleagues, are expected to attend. The conference is being publicized through the ABHP membership and web site, local radio, national, local, and international healthcare organizations and institutions, and Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy.
What is the Cost of Attending the Conference?
The registration for the conference is $225 for ABHP members, $250 for non-members, $80 for residents, nurses, and other allied health professionals, and $35 for students. The registration fee includes attendance at all continuing education sessions, social functions, course materials, all food functions, refreshment breaks, and professional exhibits.
What Accommodations Have Been Made for Lodging and Travel?
All sessions and lodging will be in the Renaissance Houston Hotel Greenway Plaza, 6 Greenway Plaza East, Houston, Texas 77046. Telephone: 1-713-629-1200. Toll-Free: 1-800-468-3571. Fax: 1-713-629-4702. Reservations should be made as soon as possible. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel no later than April 30, 2010, to ensure availability and to receive the conference room rate. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit. Click here to make your reservations online. For directions to the hotel and additional information, please click here to download the hotel facts and information sheet.
Will Continuing Education Contact Hours be Offered?
The program provides attendees with the opportunity to earn at least 12 hours of ACPE-approved continuing education credits for pharmacists.
Who is Sponsoring the Conference?
Major sponsors of the conference include numerous pharmaceutical companies, healthcare care organizations and institutions. A complete list of sponsors will be provided in the sponsor’s page of the program brochure and on the ABHP website.
Who is Speaking at the Conference?
ABHP Minority Health Conference will highlight a broad range of topics addressing minority health. The conference will feature a number of national and regional pharmacists and physicians speakers presenting on parallel perspectives on minority health and health disparities.
Website
Detailed information about the conference can be found at: www.myabhp.org/ABHP2010.htm
Contacts
Advertising
John E. Clark
jclark@myabhp.org
954-296-7466 888-834-0603
Job Posting and Classified Ads
Donna Bellamy
secretary@myabhp.org
478-960-8679 888-834-0603
Continuing Education Credit
ealexander@tgh.org
monica_green@hdhd.tmc.edu
Educational Sessions
mdrpharm420@hotmail.com
ealexander@tgh.org
Exhibits and Sponsorship Sales
Steve Glass
sglass@gshp.org
850-728-4474 888-834-0603
General Exhibit Questions
Steve Glass
sglass@gshp.org
850-728-4474 888-834-0603
Hotel Services
Manouchkathe Cassagnol
cassagnm@stjohns.edu
516-637-0009 888-834-0603
International Liaison
John E. Clark
jclark@myabhp.org
954-296-7466 888-834-0603
Industry-Sponsored Programs and Functions
Steve Glass
sglass@gshp.org
850-728-4474 888-834-0603
Special Assistance
Donna Bellamy
secretary@myabhp.org
478-960-8679 888-834-0603
Mailing Lists and Online Symposia Links
abhp@myabhp.org
Posters
Earnest Alexander
ealexander@myabhp.org
813-6108784 888-834-0603
Press and Media Information
Manouchkathe Cassagnol
cassagnm@stjohns.edu
516-637-0009 888-834-0603
Web Advertising
abhp@myabhp.org
888-834-0603
About Houston
Houston's Size
- The Houston City Statistical Area (CSA) covers 12,476 square miles, an area larger than Maryland (12,297 square miles).
- The Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) covers 10,062 square miles, an area slightly smaller than Maryland but larger than Massachusetts (9,241 square miles).
- Harris County covers 1,778 square miles, an area nearly half again as large as Rhode Island (1,231 square miles).
- At 634 square miles, the City of Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami.
- The Houston MSA contains more people than Minnesota, which ranks 21st among the states in population.
- Harris County contains more people than Oregon, which ranks 27th
Travel to Houston
 Traveling to Houston has never been easier. As the country's fourth largest airport system, the Houston Airport System serves about 180 cities worldwide, with Bush Intercontinental Airport ranking third among U.S. airports for nonstop destinations.
Houston Airport System
- 4th largest multi-airport system in the country
- 6th largest multi-airport system in the world
- 23 airlines serve Bush and Hobby airports
- 51.8 million passengers traveled through the three airports in 2007
- 80 million passengers traveling through HAS are projected by 2020
- Serves approximately110 U.S. and 65 international destinations
- Houston is the primary gateway to Latin America—No. 1 in the nation in the number of weekly nonstop flights to Mexico.
- Wi-Fi Internet service is available at both Bush Intercontinental and Houston Hobby in most airport public areas, including gates, restaurants, ticketing and baggage claim.
- Named 2005 Airport of the Year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for outstanding primary commercial service.
Bush Intercontinental Airport
- 20 miles from downtown Houston
- Nonstop service to approximately 110 domestic destinations
- Nonstop or direct service to 65 international destinations
- Continental Airlines' largest hub
- Nearly 800 daily departures
- Ranked No. 3 in the country for most scheduled nonstop destinations
- 8th busiest airport in the U.S. for total passengers (43 million in 2007)
- 8th largest international passenger gateway in the nation
- 18 passenger airlines
- 5 passenger terminals
- More than 10,000 acres
- More than 23,000 parking spaces
- New $440 million Terminal E and Federal Inspection Services (FIS) with 84 primary inspection booths that can process more than 4,500 passengers per hour
- Ranked No. 4 for customer satisfaction among large North American airports in a study by J.D. Power and Associates (2008)
- Voted the No. 4 airport in the country by readers of Global Traveler magazine (2008).
William P. Hobby Airport
- 11 miles from downtown Houston
- Served more than 8.8 million passengers in 2007
- One of Southwest Airlines' largest hubs
- Nonstop service to more than 32 destinations throughout the U.S.
- 43rd busiest airport in the U.S. in total passengers in 2007
- Acquired by the City of Houston in 1937
- Rated among the top five performing airports in the world by Airports Council International (2009)
- Ranked No. 2 for customer satisfaction among small North American airports in a study by J.D. Power and Associates (2008)
- Selected as the No. 1 small airport (less than 10 million passengers) in the country for customer satisfaction in an Aviation Week traveler satisfaction report (2006)
Houston's Top five carriers and number of flights
- Continental – 4,770 weekly departures
- Southwest – 941 weekly departures
- Delta - 148 weekly departures
- American – 130 weekly departures
- US Airways – 90 weekly departures
Travel Around Houston
METRO's Airport Direct
METRO's Airport Direct offers a convenient, reliable service directly from the downtown Airport Direct Passenger Plaza (815 Pierce) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Terminal C. The Airport Direct Passenger Plaza is a short walk from the Downtown Transit Center METRORail station. For just $15 one way and with departures every 30 minutes, traveling has never been easier.
(713) 635-4000 (713) 635-4000 or www.ridemetro.org.
Rail System
METRORail offers convenient accessible service within the heart of the city between downtown Houston and Reliant Park, including the Museum District and Texas Medical Center. The red line, which launched in 2004, is 7.5 miles long. One-way fare is $1.25. In FY 2007, boardings grew by 3.3 percent from the year before, including a single day weekday record of 64,448 passengers in March 2008. Click here for route and fare information.
METRO has continued work on finalizing the selection of preferred alignments for five new light rail lines. Construction began in 2008. Click here to view a map of the planned light rail lines, which are scheduled to be completed in 2012.
What is there to do in Houston along the METRORail? Click here to find out.
Bus System
METRO offers several types of bus service in Houston.
- Local service runs mostly on city streets, stopping at every other corner along its route. One-way fare is $1.25.
- Park & Ride service is for long-distance commuting. METRO’s 28 Park & Ride lots provide bus service to key destinations in the service area. One-way fare ranges from $2 to $4.50, depending on distance.
METRO Statistics
- Bus Fleet - 1,211
- Service area - 1,285 square miles
- Miles of light rail - 7.5
- Planned additional miles of light rail - 30 (to be completed in 2012)
- Local one-way fare - $1.25
Taxis
Houston has more than 2,200 taxis in its fleet.
$6 Cab Fare Anywhere Downtown
The City of Houston has authorized a flat taxi fare of $6 for all trips in the downtown area. This $6 fare will apply anywhere within the Central Business District, bounded by Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. 59. The fare, in addition to increased downtown taxi stands, provides an easy alternative to driving to lunch, business meetings and activities throughout the downtown area. No surcharges will apply to the fare, which can accommodate multiple riders under the $6 total rate.
The number of downtown taxi stands have increased. These taxi stands are designated areas where cabs can "stand" and wait for a fare. Additionally, there are at least 30 "hailing cab" icons on various downtown streets, which mark that particular site as a three-minute zone where taxis can briefly stop to pick up and drop off passengers.
Approximate cab fares from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Downtown $45
- Reliant Park Area $54
- Texas Medical Center $50
- Uptown/Galleria $45
- Greenway Plaza $50
Approximate cab fares from William P. Hobby Airport
- Downtown $22
- Reliant Park Area $27
- Texas Medical Center $27
- Uptown/Galleria $45
- Greenway Plaza $32
*Above rates include up to four people per cab.
Rental Cars
Houston has a fleet of 30,000 rental cars with every major rental car company represented. Click here for a listing of GHCVB member rental car agencies.
Houston Highway System
Houston is well-served by a system of radial and ring highways that provide excellent access to markets outside the region.
In the Houston Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA), 575.4 miles of freeways and expressways (55 percent of the planned system) are in operation.
Houston is the crossroads for Interstates 10 and 45. Other major highways serving Houston are Loop 610, U.S. 59, U.S. 290, U.S. 90, Texas 288, Texas 225, Hardy Toll Road, Sam Houston Tollway and the Grand Parkway (Texas 99).
Houston also lies along the route of the proposed I-69 NAFTA superhighway that will link Canada, the U.S. industrial mid-west, Texas and Mexico.
Freeway Names: More than a Number
Every freeway in the city has at least two names, some as many as seven, so it's quite likely that visitors will be baffled by this phenomenon. Here's a list to help you decode the nicknames:
Beltway 8: Sam Houston Tollway
Interstate 10 West: Katy Freeway, West Freeway
Interstate 10 East: East Freeway
Interstate 45 North: North Freeway
Interstate 45 South: Gulf Freeway
Interstate 45 through Downtown: Pierce Elevated
Interstate 610: The Loop, often preceded by North, South, East or West
U.S. 59 North: Eastex Freeway
U.S. 59 South: Southwest Freeway, Sen. Lloyd Bentson Highway, Future Interstate Corridor, NAFTA Superhighway, I-69
U.S. 75: See Interstate 45
U.S. 90 East: Beaumont Highway
U.S. 90 West: See Interstate 10
U.S. 290: Northwest Freeway, Hempstead Highway
Texas 6: Highway 6, Addicks Howell Road, Alvin Sugar Land Road, Addicks Satsuma Road, Hempstead Road
Texas 3: Galveston Road
Texas 225: La Porte Freeway
Texas 249: Tomball Parkway
Texas 288: South Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway
Weather
Houston’s temperate climate sustains tropical vegetation and allows the city’s residents and visitors an enviable outdoor lifestyle.
- Houston averages only 18.0 days per year with temperatures of 32oF or less and 99.6 days with high temperatures of 90oF or more. Temperatures rarely reach 100oF.
- Houston’s growing season averages 300 days. The normal frost-free period extends from Feb. 14 to Dec. 11.
- Houston has had only 14 measurable snowfalls since 1939.
- A statistically average year contains 90.3 “clear” days, concentrated in October and November; 114.5 “partly cloudy” days, typical of June through September; and 160.3 “cloudy” days, common in December through May.
- Prevailing wind in Houston is south-southeasterly at a mean speed of 7.4 mph.
Average Temperatures:
MONTH HIGH/LOW
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May 86/66
Texas Medical Center
Texas Medical Center (TMC) with 47 member institutions is the largest medical complex in the world.
The complex includes 13 renowned hospitals and two specialty institutions, two medical schools, four nursing schools and schools of dentistry, public health, pharmacy and virtually all health-related careers.
TMC has expanded continually since its inception in 1943.
- Planned projects total more than $7 billion in building new hospitals, clinics, research and other office space by Texas Medical Center (TMC) institutions along with city, county, state and federal investment for infrastructure, including flood control, new roads and bridges.
- According the President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center, there are 17 new projects that have broken ground valued at $3 billion.
- TMC’s projected growth is from its current 28.3 million gross square feet to 40 million gross square feet in 2014, excluding parking.
In 2008, approximately 5.1 million patient visits were made to the TMC.
Among the renowned institutions that are a part of the TMC are the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world's leading cancer treatment and research centers; Texas Children's Hospital, an international leader in pediatric medicine; and Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, a leader in heart treatment.
More heart surgeries are performed in the Texas Medical Center than anywhere else in the world. Two of the world's most famous heart surgeons, the late Michael E. DeBakey, M.D. and Denton A. Cooley, M.D. were medical leaders in the Texas Medical Center for decades.
More anti-cancer drugs are evaluated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center than at any other institution in the country. Some 500 clinical trials are currently underway to test drugs and assess new surgical techniques and radiotherapy methods.
TMC employs more than 72,600 people.
During the past five years, TMC member institutions received $3.5 billion in grants for research.
More than 33,000 students attend regular classes in the TMC.
TMC covers more than 1,000 acres and has more than 100 permanent buildings.
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