Welcome Message

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you to Austin for the 2015 Annual Meeting of ISSWSH. Inspired by the multi-cultural heritage of this region of the US and the multi-disciplinary identity of our society, we have a wonderfully diverse and stimulating program agenda. In addition to presenting the most current information on research and clinical practice, I believe you will find the presentations to be challenging, thought-provoking and even paradigm shifting.

In the State of the Art lectures, we will learn about the underlying biological mechanisms down to the genetic level that are responsible for differences between genders in basic physiological processes that may contribute to differential responses to hormones or drug therapy. We will delve into the emerging science of epigenetic regulation and how this impacts sexual arousal and desire. We will also consider the nature of desire through the lens of evolutionary psychology and then engage in an exploration of compulsive sexual behavior from a clinical perspective.

In a new symposium format entitled the Master Journal Club, we have a stellar group of internationally renowned faculty who will review a topic of their own choosing based on an important recent “must read” publication and lend us the benefit of their experience and insight. You will also see that we have not shied away from controversy and have, in fact, highlighted its importance in sexual medicine in a symposium on research, theory and treatment of sexual addiction. Another session will be devoted to novel psychotherapeutic approaches for a variety of disorders based on evidence-based outcomes research. Not to be forgotten, medical or surgical intervention remains an important mode of therapy for certain conditions related to sexual dysfunctions. A symposium on vulvar dermatology will examine various types of genital dermatological conditions, their prevalence, diagnoses and treatments. Lastly, we have a guest lecture from the North American Menopause Society to be delivered by Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton who will be speaking on novel treatments for the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

This amazing program is the result of the efforts of a group of very dedicated people who made my job relatively easy. In recognition of their efforts, I’d like to thank the ISSWSH Board of Directors for their encouragement and support, Status Plus for their administrative assistance and their formidable experience and expertise in conference planning, and Sharon Parish and former society president Andrew Goldstein for their willingness to roll up their sleeves and get involved in the day-to-day work of our committee. Most of all, please join me in thanking the members of the Scientific Program Committee who energetically accepted a workload that surpasses that of previous program committees. They were engaged in not only the early brainstorming sessions and reaching out to speakers, but formally accepted the duties of reviewing abstracts and papers, moderating sessions and acting as hosts during this meeting.

Lastly, I look forward to your participation in the sessions and encourage you to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge offered by our speakers and members, as well as the social functions and non-structured times that I’m sure will serve as excellent opportunities to catch up with colleagues and be the source of many new memories.

Sincerely,

Noel N. Kim, PhD
Scientific Chairman