Dear Chinese colleagues in Reproductive Medicine,

You are cordially invited to the annual dinner event organized by Global Chinese Association of Reproductive Medicine (GCARM).

Date:                           Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Time:                          6:00pm to 9:00pm

Venue:                        Ming Court Restaurant

9188 International Drive

                                    Orlando, Florida 32819

Tel. 407-351-9988

                                    http://www.ming-court.com/

Please leave R.S.V.P  to Caiyun Liao in the Comment Area at the end of this posting,  by Friday of 10/14/2011.

The program is graciously supported by Smith Medical and Vitrolife. We truly appreciate their continued support to this special event!

See you in Orlando and safe travels!

Sincerely

GCARM Board

GCARM Newsletter

Oct 2011

ASRM Annual Meeting

Dear fellow members, you have guessed it, it is that time of the year again! The 67^th Annual Meeting of the ASRM is scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida on Oct. 12-19, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Centre. For further details, please click this link:

http://www.asrm.org/annualmeeting.aspx

Here you have everything at your finger tips, so to speak. You can register online, book your hotel, glance the complete meeting schedule as well as many other facts that may be of interest to you. We do hope you plan to come and we want to see you there!

GCARM & ChSIG combined Board Meeting

First and foremost, Attention: GCARM and ChSIG executives: There will be a combine Board Meeting for GCARM and ChSIG executives after the opening ceremony of ASRM. All executives of both Boards are earnestly urged to attend.

Date:                   Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011

Board members will be notified about the exact time and date later.

This is just a gentle reminder. Kindly see separate Board Meeting notices and agenda to be sent to you directly.

GCARM & ChSIG AGM (For all the members)

Secondly, GCARM and ChSIG will have a combined business meeting on Monday. This is our Annual General Meeting and it is for the general membership. All are invited. GCARM and ChSIG need your support. Please come.

Date:                   Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Time:                  08h15 to 08h45

Venue:                Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando,

                             Florida.

Room number of the venue will be announced in later notices. Those who are planning to attend the meeting are strongly advised to notify the board by leaving your name in the “Comments” area  at the end of this posting on this website.

GCARM Annual Dinner

As you know, it is a GCARM tradition to hold its Annual Dinner Meeting during the ASRM convention. You will not expect an exception this year, will you?  This fun event not only serves as an opportunity for all of us to mix and mingle and to get to know one another better, it also serves as a golden opportunity to fund raise and fun raise for GCARM.  Your executives have toiled and sweated and have organized these for us all:

Date:                   Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Time:                  18h00 to 21h00

Venue:                Ming Court Restaurant, 9188 International Drive

                             Orlando, Florida 32819. Tel. 407-351-9988

                             http://www.ming-court.com/

Come one, come all!  When you are there, please renew your GCARM membership. So, remember: do not leave home without your check book!

The venue is not too far away from the Orange County Convention Centre. We expect a massive attendance like last year’s 80 person in all!  To reserve your place at the dinner, kindly leave your name in the “Comments” area on this website and mention how many people in your party, with names, S.V.P. We DO have to plan and reserve nourishment and seats for you at the restaurant. Kindly cooperate and that will make your planners’ lives a little less stressful. You do want them to live to ninety, do you?

Two words about fund raising: As this event is complimentary and we want it to remain so every year, we need sponsors! If you know of a potential sponsor for this event, please let one of us know as soon as possible.  Shen Shehua (sshen@auxogyn.com) will love to hear from you. She can send our GCARM account number to you or your sponsor for direct deposit. Thank you!

Award Ceremony

The highlight of the Annual Dinner is the Award Ceremony. The board will present awards to members with significant contributions, including Life-time Achievement Award, Most Valuable Service Award, etc.Our Award Committee is on the verge of finalizing the winners. They will confirm your suspicion in due time. Stay tuned!

Round Table Scientific sessions

At this year’s ASRM meeting, The ChSIG will present two round table conferences.  Seang Lin Tan will preside over “Fertility Preservation” and Frank Yelian will speak on “Natural Cycle IVF”.  These topics are getting hot and hotter by the minute. Please plan now to attend to avoid disappointment as the venue will only accommodate a limited number of seats.

We do hope you will find this Newsletter useful as a consolidation of all the activities of GCARM and ChSIG during the ASRM meeting week.  We need your participation to grow and to prosper. Please support your own organization by showing up at all these activities en masse.    Please mark your calendar!  Thank you!

2010 ASRM spot light – GCARM member took hold of a championship

By Yulian Zhao

Thomas Chang: Winner of first place in ASRM Run for Reproductive Health

One of the most exciting highlights of 2010 ASRM Annual Meeting in Denver is the inaugural ASRM Run for Reproductive Health.   The race was held in Denver’s City Park, Monday, October 25th, beginning at 6:30am and the distance is 5k (~ 3.1miles).   It was estimated that 250 people attended the program. Thomas’s number is 241.  It took Thomas 20 minutes and 17 seconds to reach the finish line although he slowed down in the last 0.7 miles where he saw no other runners behind him… Like any strength bearing endeavors, championship does not come easily or randomly. Thomas has prepared this for months with hard working and winning spirits.  He said “I came to ASRM for win.  I hope I will keep getting the championship for the next five years before I turn into 50”.  Way to go Thomas – We are so proud of you! We are behind of you 150%!

To see more on stories behind the scene, please read the attached file by Thomas’s own words.

Thomas Chang

Running stories

By Thomas Chang

There were about 250 people attended, because my number was 241.  5k is about 3.1 miles, it took me 20 minutes and 17 seconds, I slow down in the last 0.7 miles, because I saw no one behind me, plus I have all days of meeting, that I did not want to get exhausted by running really heard, because all I need—-  is a win, and if I go all my strength, then , next year, when I get older, it is going to be hard to match my own record next year. There was a Japaneses guy said, after the match, that he will beat me next year, He finished the 3rd, I hope I will keep getting the champion for the next five years, before I turn into 50.

But most importantly, 28 months ago, I start to run 5k, every day, except Sunday, and 3 days of complete rest if I ever get a new injury, like a sharp pain suddenly occurs on my leg during my run.

If I don’t have time to run, I will find a time, morning or afternoon, I usually run with empty stomach in the morning, just water before I run, and only on the grass fields for the first 18 months straight, such as football field, soccer, baseball, softball, even golf course, to protect my knees, when snow cover the grass fields, I got “one inch” larger running shoes, with 3 pairs of wool socks designed for boots and wear long “flee” pants that normally used by skiers, so The winter weather and snow did not interrupt the running routine. This way I lost one pound of my weight per month, 28 months ago I was 166, this morning I was 138. It is still going.

I was never a runner, therefore,  after 18 months of grass top running, my tendon, joint, cartilage, muscles and bones finally built up the strength to endure the ” road ” —paved hard surface impact, I decided to have my “first race” in my entire life: That was 2010, January, I finished my first 5 k in 23 minutes under a 20 degrees Fahrenheit temperature,  after that my speed or time never improved until I met a Kenyan African guy, a world class runner, His 5K ( 3.1 miles) was 13 minutes something, his marathon (26.2 miles) was 2 hours 15 minutes.

The first day I went to train with him, My wife said , after I got home, ” YOU look like a cancer patient that is about to die ” because he was running 14 miles, and I did my best trying to follow him, I can  only finished 9 miles, because I normally run 3 miles, these harsh training just make you want to cry . This training started only 4-5 months ago, June or July of 2010.
Like this hard training of every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, long run—8, 9, 10 miles in 80 % of our strength.Tuesday Thursday—speed work out—400 meters 8 times, or 800 meters 6 times, or the combination, or 1600 meters 4 times, in 100% strength and energy output during the work out, there is another thing called “tempo run” : it’s continues of running for 20 minutes in our 90% energy output running, and also we went to steep mountain hill run up, for 1 or 2 minutes, 6 or 7 times, make the total time of work out around 18 minuets, This is the secret of Kenyan runner’s training program—the hills, that’s why Kenyans always are winning international Marathon races. Before each training day , we always run very slow for the first one or 1.5 miles to warm up before we get into any kind of speed.  Saturdays, I either go to high altitude : 10,000 feet above sea level or super long run: the entire time of running will last for at least one hour 40 minutes and up to two hours–until you used up all your energy, Sunday –recover—no run.

I also got a very light shoes for this race,  I got up really early at 4 am that morning of ” Run for reproductive health” , to warm up—I jogged very slowly for 2.7 mils, and went back to hotel to take a hot shower, then I went back to the race course again to do —long stride—to extend my leg   —with my regular heavy training shoes plus heavy jacket on me, This was how I did : 80 meters go one way and jogging back , for about 7-10 times. When the real race started at 6:30, I only have a short pant and one t-shirt on, I felt so light on my legs and ran so easy, about 10 steps, I passed the guy who got the second place in the end, He told me before the race, He normally do 5K in 18 minutes, I was only planing to finish this 5k under 20 minutes, but at the moment when I passed him ( about less than 5 seconds into the race), I was afraid that I will be exhausted because He should be faster than me, how could I pass him ?  But I felt no “hard”—difficulty in breathing, I didn’t get tired even after those first 20 seconds of super fast speed into the race, I contribute this effect to what I did 3 days before the Monday racing : I normally run every day as I describe above, but Friday I got to Denver,  searching for Hotel, registering the Meeting, I only ride bike for 3 miles, Saturday no running,—but I ride the bike to check out the race course about 3 miles, Sunday– All day of post-graduate course, plus opening ceremony, so I did not run, —–this 3 days of rest make my legs accumulate tons of ATP, and energy, therefore once I passed the second guy, I just kept running hard==== Pulling further and further away from the second guy, to the point that I was running alone—-Just like what I was dreaming to win the race before I came to Denver. In my vision-as I closed my eye thinking about the up-coming second race of my life,  Only police car was in front of me —leading the road, no one else was around me !—-AND IT DID HAPPENED in THE SAME WAY —IN the REALITY, NOT just a dream.

My wife asked me before I heading to Denver : ” Why do you pay 50 dollars to run ? ” ” If they do not give out the price money for the winner, Why don’t you bet with ALL your ASRM friends that you will win the Monday race before Monday —on Fridays , Saturdays, Sundays, when you see them in the meeting ? —-this way, at least, you can get some money ! “  I told my wife ” This year of ASRM, for me , is just to win this race—that’s the whole purpose of me going to ASRM  ! ”

I am indeed need to win this race, because this was what happened after I won:

One RE came to me, after he saw me got the gold metal trophy, He insisted to invite me to a dinner. (As most of my friends knew about me –in 2007 meeting in DC, I was talking about doing 1-5 eggs retrievals–by using mild simulations, but we don’t know how to deal with those Clomid resistant patients–we still don’t , we thought about using Aromatase inhibitor, but it never work )  During this diner, this RE reveled to me how to treat those CC resisted patients: by giving them 300 IU of hMG sub-dermal one shot on day 2 of their cycles, and wait for 2-3 days for a second shot, This way we can grow the follicles without daily shots and it is just like the effect of CC ( clomid ) .——-This is what I have been searching for , for the last 2-3 years,

THIS IS WHAT I REALLY COMING TO ASRM FOR !— But I didn’t know this before the meeting, so my answer to my wife ” I come to ASRM is for the race”— was partially correct !

Because …. Had I not won this race, I would never have figured out how to treat CC resistant patients.  (I didn’t know this RE before , He had been doing mild-IVF for quite a long time.)

This is a long story–I hope you don’t get bored and be able to finish reading these, if you do finished, I thank you for your attention and time !

Sincerely,

Thomas  11/07/2010 in Utah

GCARM 2010 Annual General Meeting

Maggiano’s Little Italy, 500-16^th Street, Denver, CO 80202

Monday Oct. 25, 2010

18h30 to 20h45

News Release News Release News Release News Release News Release

—Andrew Mok

Wow! You should be at the Annual General Meeting of the GCARM held recently at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Denver. The sumptuous dinner was served with buffet appetizers, double salads, double main dishes consisting of capon and salmon with Italian ice cream for finale. What a meal! This phenomenal presentation was generously sponsored by Vitrolife/Smiths-Medical.  But this is not the raison d’été to be at the meeting.  Here is why:

When the writer arrived at the venue with friends at slightly after 18h30, the place was already bustling with happy, noisy people. They were talking to one another, shaking hands, bear-hugging or just laughing out loud whole heartedly. What a scene! And seen running around amongst these busy bodies was Shehua, totally absorbed in collecting membership dues, enrolling new members or trying to catch up with old acquaintances.  Soon after 19h20, Zhao Yulian sprung into action. She said a few most appropriate words to thank the sponsors and promptly started the dinner service. Once again, one can attest to the true tradition of Italian hospitality: T.M.T.E.  (i.e. Too Much To Eat for you, OK?)

The highlight of the evening was the Award Ceremony presided by Chen Zijiang and Frank Yelian.  Honoured this year were four most deserving individuals:  Zhuang Guanglun, Zhang Lizhu, Jack Huang and Shen Shehua.  Zhuang Laoshi was decorated for his vision, his leadership and his dedication and initiation to GCARM.  Of course he gave a passionate thank you speech as always.  Everybody was moved.  Zhang Laoshi was honoured for her leadership in bringing forth the first IVF baby in China when she was 60 years old. Qiaojie accepted this distinguish honour on her behalf as she was unable to travel to Denver.  Jack Huang was honoured for his prolific research papers publishing feat (Aham…. reportedly to be 29 in number in slightly over 24 months!)  That was truly remarkable.  The last individual to be spot-lighted that evening was no other than our Shehua Shen. She has been the backbone of GCARM, the driving force and the work horse behind all these happenings.  She has been working her fingers to bare bones in bringing us together. It is no secret that without her, GCARM would not be what it is today. After all, we had 80 people attending this 2010 Annual Dinner Meeting! At one point in her thank you speech, she said: “In my left hand, I am holding not only your membership money, I am holding your enthusiasm, your trust and your dedication to GCARM. “  Well said, Shehua and Bravo!

Each recipient was presented a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. Their honour plagues would be mailed directly to them for their convenience. How thoughtful!  Lively discussions were held after the Award Ceremony.  Seang Lin Tan remarked in his closing statements that GCARM would be hosting another World Conference somewhere in China in 2011. An organizing committee had been struck and further news would be forth coming. Watch out for it folks! Before the group dispersed, a group photo was taken. Just like a bunch of school kids, it took more than 20 minutes of prodding and urging and threatening before the group was cooperative enough to adhere together for the picture. Here is a sample:    (picture)  A good time was had by all!

Post mortem and Credits:

Tidbits you may not know: Despite the great work and effort of Shehua, no one can work alone anywhere.  There are a few unsung heroes behind the scene. The conductor who orchestrated this award ceremony was preoccupied that night: Xu Kangpu.  He was the chair of the Award Search Committee.  It was apparent that he did a fine job in dragging out these four recipients to accept the award, knowing how humble those four people are.  He planned and created the whole ceremony.  80 people from all over the world just did not converge all at the same time into an Italian restaurant by chance. It took timely planning, bargaining, advertizing and perhaps propaganda and more.  We must attribute the success of this meeting to the effort of some other dedicated souls: Zhao Yulian, Zhang Xinqi and Wang Weihua to name just a few.  Yulian planned and arranged the dinner event.  Zhang Xinqi advertised the event on our new GCARM website as well as managing it.  Wang Weihua designed and distributed the flyers to attract those who were not keen in surfing the net.  What a team!

To quote Charles de Gaulle at Montreal City Hall four decades plus 3 years ago:   Vivre le GCARM!

Group picture by Andrew Mok

Dear members and friends,

Thank you for your interest in joining and supporting GCARM! If you recently paid membership (new or renewal) online through Paypal, please send an email to me at shehuashen@yahoo.com to help me verify the transaction. Thank you very much!

Shehua Shen

I am looking for a senior embryologist who can take charge of an IVF lab. Must be experienced in all IVF techniques but more importantly in QA/QC.
Someone with leadership quality and would like to make his/her career (finish his/her working time?) in hong kong.
We are doing around 1000 fresh and 459 FET cycles a year and expanding. Current pregnancy rates are over 40% both fresh and frozen. Contact: milton.leong@gmail.com

2010-10-14, EST9:00pm to 10:30pm

(6:00pm to 7:30pm PST, China 9:00am to 10:30am).
1.    Activities at ASRM 2010 Denver – please participate and support! Mark your calendar!

• 10/25 Monday 8:15 to 8:45, ChSIG member meeting (business meeting) – room 201 .
• 10/25 Monday 6:30 to 8:30 GCARM dinner. See dinner program for details.
• 10/26 Tuesday 1:15 to 2:15 RTT01. PCOS in China – Xiaoke Wu, M.D., Ph.D.
• 10/27 Wednesday 1:15 to 2:15 RTW30. How to Implement Vitrification in the IVF Lab? – Wei-Hua Wang, Ph.D.
• 10/27 Wednesday 1:15 to 2:15 Interactive Session -Traditional Chinese Remedies for Endometriosis: Mechanisms and Efficacy of Herbs and Acupuncture. A Joint Session presented by the Chinese Special Interest Group and the Endometriosis Special Interest Group. Pamela Stratton, M.D. (Chair) Caihong Ma, M.D. Room 405.

2. GCARM board meeting and ChSIG officer meeting (combined).

• Board meeting and ChSIG officer meeting at ASRM2010.
• Key task is to discuss plan for next year.
• Will meet from 8:00 to 9:30pm on Sunday.

3.    GCARM dinner meeting 2010

• Reserved restaurant based on 60 head count;
• So far have 50+ responded to attend;
• Program is finalized.

4.    GCARM Award

• The award committee has met in China.
• Award presenters- Xu Kang-Pu and Chen Zi-Jiang.
• One service award, two lifetime significant contribution awards and one training award will be presented.
• Future awards and its selection criteria will be presented.

5.    ChSIG

• Frank Yelian will prepare the agenda for ChSIG member meeting on Monday morning at 8:15 romm number 201; mainly ChSIG activities and new leadership team.

6.    Next meeting – at ASRM 2010!

Topic: Traditional Chinese Remedies for Endometriosis: Mechanisms and Efficacy of Herbs and Acupuncture

Time: Wednesday, October 27, 1:15 – 2:15 pm

Location: Colorado Convention Center, Room 405

Pamela Stratton, MD (Chair)

Caihong Ma, MD (Speaker)

ChSIG meeting is scheduled Monday 8:15-8:45 in Room 201