Scientific Symposiums International

When we began the New Year last January, no one could have foreseen what the Year 2020 would bring. COVID-19 has thrown the world into turmoil and proven to be more challenging and tragic than anyone imagined. Unfortunately, it continues today.

In February, we at Scientific Symposiums International boarded a plane for Maui, anticipating two CME courses that would unite us with many of our past attendees and introduce us to many new ones. The two courses went well, but little did we know it would be our last trip to Hawaii for months to come.

When we arrived back in the office, COVID-19 had prompted a Shelter in Place order for California, Hawaii was in a similar situation, including a 14-day quarantine for visitors to the Islands, and our Australian and New Zealand attendees were under travel restrictions. Many of these restrictions are still in effect today and will for the unforeseeable future.

For the past several months, we have cancelled five CME courses and Hotel contracts, replacing the contracts into 2021 and 2022. In the interim, we have researched virtual streaming options. While virtual courses will not replace our traditional live courses in resort settings, it will allow us to hold courses that can’t be held live .

We were able to move intact the June and July 2020 courses to June and July 2021, with the same faculty, topics and lectures. In addition to being held live, we will also be streaming them.

At this time, we plan to stream our two October 2020 courses, with the possibility that the October 12-15, 2020 course may be held live at a later date.

The October 5-8, 2020 Dermatopathology course, under Course Director, Philip LeBoit, will be streamed, as the hotel is closed and one of the speakers is from Spain. Dr. LeBoit has retained his 2020 faculty for his live October 2021 course. It will be a new course that complements the 2020 course in topics and lectures.

Our Scientific Advisory Board of Drs. John Goldblum, Stuart Schnitt and Stacey Mills, are working on our 2021 and 2022 Surgical Pathology courses, as are Drs. Teri Longacre and Philip LeBoit. Please check this Website for updates on all of our courses as they become available.

We look forward to seeing you again soon and so appreciate your support and understanding. Please take care and stay healthy and safe.

With Warm Aloha,

Carol A. Haag, President and Owner,
Scientific Symposiums International