The MDS leadership and multiple groups within the Society have been discussing ways to encourage MDS-wide collaborative research efforts.
The results of the survey that went out to MDS members showed that there is wide enthusiasm for this idea amongst the membership. We will be piloting a pre-MDS research meeting this year on Thursday from 10:00 am -12:00 pm at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. in advance of the MDS Annual Meeting.We recognize that not everyone will be able to attend, due to travel arrangements or other commitments. We view this as the first step in organizing collaborative research groups, MDS-wide research activities, and working groups focused on specific disease areas. We will continue to communicate with membership based on this pilot program, and whether you are able to be there or not, we will ensure that these efforts are truly pan-MDS and offer opportunities for broad collaboration.
Our hopes are that this can expand the MDS from the outstanding academic meeting and exceptional membership, to include an active research arm aiming to identify ways to encourage and support collaborative, cooperative, multi-center research within and among the members of the MDS.
We look forward to having you join us to launch this Research initiative.