Welcome to Philadelphia as the 2009 ASM Annual General Meeting is already underway and there are many Division Y events to choose from. A number of Division Y members were already on the scene last night enjoying the opening lecture and reception at the National Constitution Center near Independence Hall in center city Philadelphia.

Here are the major Division Y events to make sure not to miss...

Division Y Business Meeting:
Of special note, please plan to attend the Division Y business meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 11:00am in room 201A. We will be discussing upcoming Division Y events, including working on the Division agenda for the 2010 meeting in San Diego, nominating candidates for office, and working on Division communications (website, list-serv, etc).

Division Y Lecture
(Joe Joseph Award Presentation sponsored by Genprobe):
Mary Gilchrist is this year's recipient of the Genprobe Joe Joseph award and she will deliver the Division Y Lecture, "Clinical Microbiologists are Public Health Heroes" in Session 115/Y on Tuesday May 18 in room 201A. Note that the Division Y business meeting will be held immediately after this session in the same room.


Division Y Sunrise Symposia:
Sunrise Symposium.006/Y.Update on Sexually Transmitted Infections: CDC Laboratory Guidelines and Diagnostic Dilemmas for Syphilis, Chlamydia Mutants, and Resistance in Gonorrhea
Monday 5/18 7:00am room 111A


Division Y Symposia:
Molecular Methods in the 21st Century: Are Molecular Detection and Genotyping Assays Eliminating the Need for Culture? (093/Y)
Monday 5/18 2:30pm room 204A

21st Century Communications: The Key to Successful Public Health Investigations (115/Y)
Tuesday 5/19 8:15am room 201A

Biosafety - Best Practices 2009 (227/Y)
Wednesday 5/20 8:15am room 201A

Emerging Infections: Usual Suspects "Unusual Crimes"
Thursday 5/21 8:00am room Marriott Liberty Ballroom


Division Y Poster Sessions:
Bioterrorism Preparedness (049/Y)
Monday 5/18 10:45am poster hall

Emerging Infectious Diseases (079/Y)
Monday 5/18 1:00pm poster hall

Molecular Epidemiology (152/Y)
Tuesday 5/19 10:45am poster hall

Public Health Aspects of STI, HIV, TB, and OI (262/Y)
Wednesday 5/20 10:45am poster hall

Public Health Aspects of Diseases Transmitted from Animals to Humans (297/Y)
Wednesday 5/20 1:00pm poster hall


ASM Live! - Formerly known as "Division Mixer Night":
All ASM Divisions will hold a mixer party at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Tuesday (5/19) from 7:30-9pm. No tickets will be required!


I hope to see many of you here in Philadelphia, enjoy the meeting!