Hope for HH is co-sponsoring the 4th International Symposium on Hypothalamic Hamartomas – a professional symposium for HH investigators, clinicians and researchers – in Washington DC Sept. 12-14. The Symposium aims to identify gaps in understanding and opportunities for future HH research studies and collaborations to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of both the seizures as well as the other endocrinological and neuropsychological symptoms.
In this blog series, we will introduce you to several internationally recognized clinicians and researchers who are thought leaders both inside and outside of HH and who will serve as facilitators, presenters and discussants at the Symposium. Highlights of the Symposium will also be available to the HH patient and professional community following the meeting.
Meet Dr. Kevin Yuen
Please meet Dr. Kevin Yuen a Neuroendocrinologist at Barrow Neurological Institute. He serves as medical director of both the Barrow Pituitary Center and the Barrow Neuroendocrinology Clinic. He is board certified in both internal medicine and in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Yuen was trained in the UK and is currently certified as a specialist in the UK and board-certified in Endocrinology in the US. Dr. Yuen’s expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary and adrenal tumors and pituitary dysfunction, with a particular interest in growth hormone deficiency and excess, hypogonadism, and cortisol deficiency and excess. Dr. Yuen is also interested in neuroendocrine disorders in young adult cancer survivors and adults with traumatic brain injury. He is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology.
Dr. Yuen is nationally and internationally known in the field of pituitary research, particularly for his work in growth hormone studies.
Dr.Yuen will be presenting on the “Spectrum of Endocrine Issues for Patients with HH.” We are excited to have Dr. Yuen’s expertise and interest in the HH community.
What is your specialty training and background?
I also spent additional 3 years in clinical research in Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge, UK studying the effects of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency as a result of pituitary diseases, and another 2 years in Portland, Oregon undertaking extra clinical training in Neuroendocrinology, particularly in pituitary diseases affecting growth hormone and cortisol regulation.
How did you become interested in HH research and care? What are your contributions to the HH field of research and care?
I became interested in HH research and care when I came to Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ and discovered that we have a program here that attracts patients with HH from all over the world coming here for treatment. I soon realized that given the rarity of HH, that there has not been much work done in this field, particularly in the hormonal regulation, follow up and treatment in these patients. I also discovered that there was a lack of awareness in testing these patients for any potential neuroendocrine dysfunction before and after their surgical treatments, and that these patients then continue to live with an impaired quality of life that was not adequately addressed. I plan to see more of such patients, implement a neuroendocrine treatment pathway to thoroughly evaluate these patients at baseline before any surgery is performed, and a pathway for long-term follow up for clinicians to assess, test and treat these patients. I would like to keep a clinical database of these patients and assess their response once they are adequately treated with various hormones in terms of their effects on their quality of life if they are subsequently found to have pituitary hormone deficiencies.
The Symposium is important because
It is important for bringing multiple specialties together to learn from and educate both patients and caregivers, as this condition requires a multidisciplinary approach in order to effectively manage these patients.
Outside of work passions
I very much enjoy reading novels and aviation, cooking, travelling, hiking, watching and playing sports, and doing fun things with my family.
Call to Action
Like to share your feedback about the Symposium, speaker or topic, please send your comments to info@hopeforhh.org.
Would you like to support the Symposium and research with a donation to Hope for HH? Click here to Donate.
