Greetings and Happy New Year,

I would sincerely like to extend my best wishes and hope for a wonderful new year for each and every one of you.  The year is moving forward quickly with many events and activities.  Soon it will be time for the 39^th Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) Annual Meeting and National Health Conference.  I extend my deepest appreciation to Dr. Gerald Hill for his leadership and hard work during his presidency of AAIP beginning in July 2008 and ending in July of 2009.  The 38^th Annual Meeting held in Alexandria, VA featured outstanding speakers presenting a variety of issues of great importance to the health of Native people and communities.  Of major significance was the Listening Session with Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, the newly appointed Indian Health Service Director and AAIP members during the conference. The opportunity to come together and recognize one of our own, Dr. R Dale Walker as the AAIP Physician of the Year, was very important to the AAIP membership.  We will again be recognizing an Indian Physician of the Year.

This year’s annual meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa located on the Santa Ana Pueblo and situated between Santa Fe and Albuquerque at the base of the Sandia Mountains.  Tamaya features pueblo style rooms that reflect traditional designs and natural materials that compliment modern comforts and other amenities.  Tamaya also offers many family activities such fine dining, a spa and salon, a nationally ranked golf course, three swimming pools, horse stables, bike riding and much more.  I would like to invite you to come and enjoy the many opportunities that Tamaya has to offer and attend a conference that will provide sessions related to important health issues of American Indians and Alaska Native communities.

This year’s theme is "Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Indian Country:  Mind, Body, Spirit” with presentations that will serve as a forum for health care professionals, policy makers, tribal and community members.  The conference will provide sessions in regard to stroke, diabetes, cervical/breast cancer, substance abuse, depression and much more.  Each day of the conference will address issues regarding children, women and men’s health.  The dates of the conference are August 5-9, 2010 with the plenary sessions held on August 7-9, 2010.   Please come join the AAIP and experience the unique and wonderful Tamaya at Santa Ana Pueblo and the surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico area.

Sincerely,

Melvina McCabe, MD
2009-2010 AAIP President