San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo City , is the site of the 53’rd Annual Session. San Antonio is a very pedestrian-friendly city.  There is a Riverwalk along the San Antonio River which is a motor-traffic-free area for strolling, shopping, dining and river cruising on barges. 

The city is steeped in history and culture. It takes its name from the Mission San Antonio de Valero, popularly known today as The Alamo, the “Cradle of Texas Liberty.” Here James Bowie, William Travis, David Crocket and some 180 other defenders held off the 5,000 strong forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, for 13 days in March 1836.  The defenders were defeated and most of them died.  However, their futile defense of the Mission gave rise to Sam Houston’s cry “Remember the Alamo ,” which he used to rally his troops at the Battle of San Jacinto, eventually leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas .

Hyatt Regency Hotel - A River Runs Through It! 
(click here to view a slide show)

123 Losoya St
San, Antonio , TX    78
Tel: 210-222-1234

The San Antonio River , as it courses through the Riverwalk, actually runs through the lobby of the hotel.  The Hyatt Regency is a thoroughly modern facility in downtown San Antonio , a stone’s throw from the Alamo . Each of the 632 guest rooms is equipped with dual phone lines with data ports, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee maker and smoke detector. 

San Antonio is a relatively expensive city. However, the AAOMR has negotiated a room rate of $180.00 single or double occupancy, which is quite favorable for San Antonio , considering the Riverwalk location. That rate will be available for three days before and three days after the meeting for those interested in spending additional time exploring San Antonio and the famous Texas hill country. The check-in time is 3:00 PM ; checkout time is 12:00 PM. Video and express checkout are available. Should rooms become available before 3:00 PM , the hotel will be pleased to accommodate early arrivals on a space available basis. Any special room requests should be communicated to the reservations department. The hotel will try to accommodate such requests. However, there will be a $25.00 charge if guests leave before a confirmed departure date. If you plan to leave before a confirmed date, please notify the hotel at check-in to avoid early departure charges. For those who will drive to San Antonio , parking is available at the hotel for $12.00  +tax per day for self-parking, $16.00 + tax per day for valet parking.

Transportation

The trip to the Hyatt from San Antonio International Airport usually takes less than 20 minutes. Cab fare is approximately $15.00 plus tip. Cab rides can be split. There is also a shuttle service provided by SATrans with $9.00 one-way and $16.00 round trip fares. Shuttles run every 15 – 20 minutes from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM . The trip downtown takes 20-30 minutes.

Hotel Directions

From the Airport (I-37 of SH281 South): Take 37-281 South to Houston Street Exit and turn right on Houston, go 5 blocks to Broadway and turn left.  Continue on Broadway about 3 blocks and the Hyatt will be on the right.  

From Austin and Dallas (I-35 South): Take 35 South to 37 South ( Corpus Christi ).  Exit Houston Street .  Turn right on Houston and go 5 blocks to Broadway.  Turn left on Broadway and the Hyatt will be approximately 3 blocks on the right.

From El Paso , San Angelo and Kerrville (I-10 East): Take 10 East to 35 North.  Exit McCullough and turn right.  Follow McCollough to Broadway and turn right.  Continue on Broadway approximately 5 blocks and the Hyatt will be on the right.

From Houston (I-10 West): Take 10 West to 37 North.  Then take 37 North to Commerce Street .  Exit Commerce to the left and continue on Commerce for 4 blocks to Presa.  Turn right on Presa.  Go 2 blocks and turn right on College Street .  Take next right onto Losoya and the Hyatt will be on the right.

Meetings

The Executive Council will meet on the Wednesday morning. This is an open meeting and members are welcome to attend. The Board and Program Directors’ luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday. This is an opportunity for the Board directors and the graduate program directors to discuss matters of mutual interest under the auspices of the Academy. Continuing a new tradition begun last year we have eliminated the scheduled time blocks for committee meetings. Committee chairs are encouraged to hold committee meetings at times and in locations that are convenient, such as in their guest rooms at meal times. Council meetings are scheduled for two hours at noon on Saturday. The Executive Council will have its planning meeting on the Sunday morning, preceded by a breakfast. This meeting is also open to members from 7:30 AM - 12:00 noon .

Continuing Education

The main continuing education program this year will be a three-hour presentation on Wednesday, (2:00 – 5:00 PM), “DICOM and Dentistry: Current Status and Future Directions” ,   given by Mostafa Analoui, Ph D and S. Brent Dove, DDS, MS .   The objective of the presentation is to provide an introduction to DICOM and its elements, along with recent developments in dental imaging. 

Special Focus Group topics this year will be presented on Friday at 3:00 PM and/or Saturday at 2:00 PM .  The following three special focus groups will be presented on both days; (1) “Computed Tomography for Implant Site Assessment” facilitated by Marden Alder, DDS, MS; (2) “Can Dental Radiographs Identify Osteoporosis and Why Do We Care?” facilitated by Stuart C. White; and (3) “FDA Selection Criteria Document: Are Revisions Needed?” facilitated by Sharon L. Brooks, DDS, MS.

“Scientific Writing” facilitated by Stephen R. Matteson, DDS with Mel. L. Kantor DDS, MPH, and Laurie C. Carter, DDS, MA, PhD will be given on Friday at 3:00 PM; and “ADEA - Faculty Recruitment and Retention Issues Affecting our Specialty” facilitated by Frances M. Gordy, DMD, MS . will be given on Saturday at 2:00 PM. The latter session will gather information to be used in preparation for next year’s ADEA joint Section meeting with the section on Pathology.

The Research design Workshop will again be conducted this year for three hours beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday. This year's Workshop is entitled "Elements of Successful Research Programs."  The moderator is Stanley M. Dunn, PhD.    The other presenters are Andre Mol, DDS, PhD and Stuart C. White, DDS, PhD . Dr. Dunn will present fundamental considerations in recognizing and developing outstanding research programs.  Drs. Mol and White will illustrate these considerations with peer-reviewed and supported oral and maxillofacial radiology research projects. The presenters will convey some of the mechanics necessary for initiating and carrying out competitive studies. The learning objectives are to introduce the audience to methods for developing, supporting and carrying out novel research ideas and to understand the commitment necessary for success. Each presentation will last for 25 minutes and be followed by a 10-minute question and answer period.  There will be a 45-minute panel discussion at the end of workshop. The speakers will be joined by Charles Hildebolt, DDS, PhD .  There will be an opportunity for audience participation.

Scientific Program

Because of the popularity of the Clinical Radiologic Conferences, they have been included into a general Scientific Session.  Oral abstracts will be presented in two Scientific Sessions. The Poster Session will be identified as a Scientific Session, whose time will be determined by the number of posters to be presented.

H. Cline Fixott, Sr. Memorial Lecture

The H. Cline Fixott, Sr. Memorial Lecture, named for our founder Henry Cline Fixott, Sr., will be given this year by Robert P. Langlais, DDS, MS , of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. His topic will be “Diagnostic Imaging: A few Ripples.”

Exhibits 

The exhibits will be on the Friday and Saturday.  On these days, a continental breakfast and coffee breaks will be in the exhibit area. 

This year, the Academy has allotted one hour for exhibitors’ presentations, immediately after the Diplomate Recognition Luncheon on Friday. This will give exhibitors an opportunity to make brief presentations on the information available in their exhibit areas.  

ABOMR

The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology will conduct its certifying examination on the Sunday and Monday preceding the Annual Session.

Social and Business Functions

For the first time, Heraeus Kulzer will begin the social program by hosting a cocktail reception on Wednesday evening following the afternoon C.E. program.  The Academy’s Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon will be at noon on the Thursday and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Diplomate Recognition Luncheon at noon on Friday. The Thursday evening optional social function will be a special treat. It is described in a separate article. Saturday morning begins with the Past Presidents’ Breakfast at 7:00 AM . Eastman Kodak Company will again generously host the cocktail reception from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Saturday, just before the Annual Banquet from 7:00 - 10:00 PM .

Miscellaneous

Remember that the cost to the Academy for the use of meeting space can vary depending on the number of hotel sleeping rooms occupied by our group. We can keep the cost of the meeting down if most of our attendees stay at the meeting hotel