The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) is pleased to announce the availability of awards in the amount of $2,000 and $1,500 to the first-place and second-place authors, respectively, of manuscripts related to malignant hyperthermia (MH).

MH is an inherited disorder of muscle, which is “triggered” by commonly used anesthetic agents and may lead to death or disability. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the keys to reducing morbidity and mortality related to MH. MH may occur at any time during an anesthetic whether in a hospital, ambulatory surgical center or an office-based setting. A large variety of programs and products have been developed by the scientific panel at MHAUS in order to increase awareness of the syndrome and its manifestations, including procedure manuals for recognizing and treating MH that are applicable to the hospital or ambulatory surgical center, a continuing medical education-accredited slide show and a variety of other publications.

In order to promote awareness of MH and its various manifestations and to encourage continued study of the syndrome, George Massik, a founding member of MHAUS, has graciously offered to support two writers’ awards. The Daniel Massik Fund at The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies in Buffalo, New York, was established by Mr. Massik in memory of his son who died from MH. These awards will provide a stipend of $2,000 for first place and $1,500 for second place to an anesthesiology resident/fellow or an anesthesiologist who is within five years of ending his or her training to attend the ASA Annual Meeting or, in special circumstances, another meeting of similar merit.

Award Details

• The awards will be given to the primary author of the best manuscript concerning MH. The format may be a case report, literature review or an original study.
  
  
• The document should address a significant issue related to the problem of MH.
  
  
• Those participating must currently be a resident/fellow in anesthesiology or an anesthesiologist who is within five years of ending his or her training.
  
  
• The paper must be a minimum of three double-spaced typed pages and a maximum of 10 pages.
  
  
• An author curriculum vitae should be included.
  
  
• Deadline for receipt of the manuscript in the MHAUS office is August 2, 2004.

The awards will be presented at the annual MHAUS Recognition Reception in October 2004 at the ASA Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Winners will be notified by August 20, 2004, to allow for coordination of travel plans.

For further information regarding the application process for these awards, please contact the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS), attention Gloria Artist, 11 East State St., P.O. Box 1069, Sherburne, NY 13460, via fax at (607) 674-7910 or e-mail at <gloria@mhaus.org>.