The University of South Alabama Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center will host its 7th annual conference, “Maximizing Sickle Cell Disease Management Through Cooperative Interdisciplinary Care,” on April 21 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at USA Medical Center Conference Center, 2451 Fillingim St.

The one-day conference features faculty from the USA College of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine. The goal of the conference is to increase the understanding of modern treatment of sickle cell disease and complications of the disease.  This conference is targeted at physicians, nurses and other allied health personnel involved in the care of patients with sickle cell disease.

Dr. Michael DeBaun, associate professor of pediatrics, genetics, human genomics and neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, is the featured guest lecturer for the conference. He will discuss “Contributions of Asthma to Sickle Cell Morbidity in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.”

Dr. Felicia Wilson, USA associate professor of pediatrics, will present “Iron Overload Update: Diagnosis and Treatment.”

Dr. Aarati Rao, USA assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology, will discuss “Evaluation of Anemia Exacerbation in Sickle Cell Disease."

Dr. Sudhakar Madanagopal, USA assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, will discuss “Orthopedic Complications in Sickle Cell Disease: Evaluation and Treatment.”

The conference, which is sponsored by the USA College of Medicine office of continuing education, will offer continuing medical education credits for physicians and 5.4 continuing education credits for nurses.

For more information regarding the conference, please contact Marilyn Chancellor at (251) 470-5893.