Patient and Caregiver Conference 2009 Our event for patients and their families 
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On April 17, 2009, nearly 200 people attended "Let's Talk about Brain Tumors" -- a patient conference co-sponsored by the Brain Tumor Center (BTC) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the National Brain Tumor Society.
After breakfast and an interactive exhibitor session, guests were greeted by Harriet Patterson, Director of Patient Services at the National Brain Tumor Society, and Desert Horse-Grant, Program Administrator of the BTC. The first portion of the morning's session was an overview of brain tumor treatment, led by Lisa DeAngelis, Chair of the Department of Neurology and Co-Executive Director of the BTC; Philip Gutin, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Co-Executive Director of the BTC; and Kathryn Beal, radiation oncologist and BTC member.
Looking toward future directions in brain tumor treatment, Eric Holland, Director of the BTC, discussed the promising brain tumor research underway at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Antonio Omuro, neuro-oncologist and member of the BTC, spoke about the important role clinical trials play in research.
Following the presentations, a group of experts discussed the emotional and physical side effects that occur in patients with brain tumors. Psychiatrist William Breitbart, neurology nurse Eileen Tiernan, and Denise Correa, neuropsychologist and BTC member, spoke about depression, symptom management, and how to understand cognitive changes.
The afternoon kicked off with a survivorship panel, featuring occupational therapist Nicole Kasven-Gonzalez and physical therapist Sharlynn Tuohy who talked about tips for exercising the body and mind. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's chaplain, Jane Mather, spoke about using spirituality as a coping tool.
Next, neurosurgery's clinical social worker, Melissa Stewart, moderated a survivors and family caregivers panel featuring patients Maria Rozentul and Robert Immerman, as well as Mr. Immerman's wife, Minna, and their daughter, Suzanne. Following this panel was a music therapy session presented by therapist Karen Popkin.
For the last part of the day, patients and caregivers broke out into small groups with healthcare professionals who specialize in their respective disease. Participants were able to ask questions in a relaxed setting.
The session for patients with low-grade, benign tumors was led by Andrew Lassman, neuro-oncologist and BTC member, and Patsey Yeo-Ramaker, neurosurgery RN. Viviane Tabar, neurosurgeon and BTC member, and Lorraine Anderson, neurology RN, led a session on high-grade/malignant tumors. A pediatric brain tumor breakout session was led by Ira Dunkel, pediatric oncologist and BTC member, and Mary Petriccione, pediatric RN.
Based on in-person feedback and written surveys, the day was informative and a great help to patients and caregivers. For information about future workshops, visit our Web site or the National Brain Tumor Society's Web site, www.braintumor.org.
