he 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 that is “triggered” by commonly used anesthetic agents and may lead to death or disability. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is the key to reducing morbidity and mortality related to MH. MH may occur at any time during an anesthetic whether in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center or an office-based setting. A large variety of programs 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 applicable to the hospital or to the ambulatory surgery center, a continuing medical education-accredited slide show and a variety of publications.

In order to promote awareness of MH and its various manifestations and to encourage continued study of the syndrome, Mr. 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/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 malignant hyperthermia. The format may be a case report, literature review or original study.

• The document should address a significant issue related to the problem of malignant hyperthermia.

• Those participating must currently be a resident/ fellow in anesthesiology or an anesthesiologist who is within five years of ending his/her training.

• The paper must be a minimum of three double-spaced typed pages and a maximum of 10 pages. The author’s curriculum vitae should be included.

• The paper must not be in any stage of publication.

Deadline for receipt of the manuscript in the MHAUS office is August 1, 2006.

The award will be presented at the annual MHAUS Recognition Reception at the ASA Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, this October 2006.

Winners will be notified by August 31, 2006, to allow for coordination of travel plans.

For further information regarding the application process for this award, please contact Gloria Artist, MHAUS, at P. O. Box 1069, Sherburne, NY 13460, by fax at (607) 674-7910 or by e-mail at <gloria@mhaus.org>.