A Letter from the 2017 Conference Chair

The Southern Region is pleased to welcome you to the Music City to �Let Freedom Ring�Let Your Heart Sing!�

The 65^th Annual Mended Hearts Education and Training Conference will be held July 3-7 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. Designed for all Mended Hearts patients, families, and caregivers, our agenda is filled with outstanding programs from exceptional cardiologists and other leaders in their fields. ��A special address. by Dr. Alden Harkin, son of our founder Dr. Harken, will highlight our final day.

In addition to the wonderful informational sharing between patients and their support networks from all the heart communities, this year will focus on the rapidly changing landscape of cardiac health, from innovations such as TAVR, Watchman, and CardioMEMS HD to a renewed emphasis on cardiac rehab and hypertension. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss their individual drug protocol with pharmacy students, so be sure to bring your medication list along with you. And don�t forget � we�ll also have the regional meetings, the annual meeting, Walks With the Doc, and the installation of new officers, all of which will inspire us to take what we learn back to your home chapter.

We�re taking advantage of a great opportunity to celebrate our annual gathering AND the Fourth of July holiday with an option to go down to the river to enjoy the largest fireworks display in Tennessee. Or, you can enjoy the many shops and restaurants that the Opryland Hotel has to offer while spending time in the Cascade Conservatory � complete with river, riverboats, fountains, and waterfalls! It is a great place to catch up with old friends or meet new ones. Click here to visit Nashville.

If you would like to attend the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night, be sure to make your plans soon, as tickets for weekend shows sell quickly.

We look forward to welcoming those of you who will be joining us for the first time. And for those of you who are returning, don�t forget to sign up for the buddy program. Let�s make sure everyone gets the full experience of the annual conference.

The conference will also be a time to officially welcome our new Executive Director, Norm Linsky. Please take advantage of the chance to introduce yourselves and share your ideas for Mended Hearts with him.

I�m grateful for the Conference Committee and the national staff who have worked so hard and shared their talents and expertise to put this conference together for all of us. We hope you will come and enjoy the programs, the people, and the extracurricular activities that will make the week one to remember!

So, bring your smile, your camera, and a song in your heart, and come join us � We look forward to sharing it all with you! You may register online or request the registration form to mail in:

Lynn Frierson
2017 National Conference Chair