We are honored to welcome our friends and colleagues to Pisa, Italy. This conference has evolved greatly over the years, primarily through longstanding collaborations and scientific achievements. We are distinctly proud to acknowledge this year, the significant contribution of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) to our program development. As the AACE mission provides for the highest quality of patient care in endocrine and metabolic disorders, we are pleased to present this partnership between AACE and the University of Pisa to co-sponsor this scientific and cultural event. We hope that the potential impact and benefit of this conference to public health Authorities can be realized with respect to designing effective preventive strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease and promote health. Our 2013 program focuses on endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional factors that can affect cardiovascular disease risk. The scientific presentations and discussions will be conducted in the context of cultural diversity, medical economic challenges, and technological innovation. Moreover, the scope of these discourses will be global as obesity, diabetes, under-and-over nutrition, and cardiovascular disease are clinical problems worldwide. The translation of molecular mechanisms of these diseases to personalized lifestyle changes in a Tuscan venue adds a unique dimension to this conference. Indeed, Pisa provides not only a distinguished and historical backdrop for science and medicine, but also an artistic, esthetic, and gastronomical richness conducive to healthy living. We hope to greet you once again at a future meeting, but for now, enjoy the conference, the city of Pisa, and the warm collegiality of our faculty and attendees. Above all else, enjoy the special balance of intellectual and cultural stimulation.
Prof Jeffrey I. Mechanick Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York President-Elect, AACE Prof Angelo Carpi Professor of Internal Medicine University of Pisa