Congenital Heart Disease in the Adult (ACHD) Annual Conference

May 28 – June 1 at Skamania Lodge

Scenic view of the Columbia River Gorge.

This rotating conference, held in conjunction with the University of Toronto and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, is sponsored by OHSU and co-sponsored by the University of Washington.

Download a copy of the agenda for the 2024 conference.

Background and objectives

The meeting has played an important role in building our community of providers for adults with congenital heart disease. It traces its roots to David Sahn and Gary Webb who established this rotating educational forum. The venue has been host to Joe Perloff and Jane Sommerville and subsequent generations of ACHD providers.

Skamania has been a place for building relationships with others in the field, and we want to keep that tradition going.  Therefore, the meeting objectives are to not only address knowledge gaps, but also network gaps, collaboration gaps, and friendship gaps.

We will highlight emerging research, discuss contemporary topics in ACHD in some unique ways, and importantly, build the ACHD community worldwide--not only across institutions, but across hemispheres.

The objectives also mean the meeting is meant to be relaxed, fun, and interactive. We encourage participants to mix around the sessions and attend social and recreational events built into the program.  

Accommodations

We anticipate filling the venue's capacity, and other lodging in the area is limited. 

Reservations must be made through the meeting registration link on this page.

There are rooms available Tuesday and Saturday outside our meeting block. If the registration site informs you that there is no vacancy for those days, try reserving a room for those dates separately through normal reservations. Please call the lodge at 844-432-4748 and press option 1 to get their on-site team. Please mention that you will be attending the ACHD conference in May.

Other nearby accommodations include:

  • Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn in Cascade Locks, OR.
  • Local homes for rent in either Stevenson or Carson, WA.
  • Hotels or rentals in Hood River, OR.

Registration

Overseas attendees: Please use promo code OVERSEAS for a discounted rate.

Contact us

Most accepted abstracts will be presented in poster format.

Approximately 5 abstracts will be selected for oral presentation.

There will be a $100 registration discount for accepted abstracts (one per abstract, can be applied after registration).

Airport shuttle

There will be a complimentary limited shuttle service from Portland International Airport on Wednesday, May 29, to the venue, and returning to the airport Saturday, June 1. The drive is approximately 50 minutes long. The shuttle will leave approximately every two hours. Look for further information on times and sign up as we get closer to the meeting. 

Skamania video sketch

Rules

Put together a video with your ACHD program to be viewed during the meeting. The video should be:

  • 2-4 minutes long
  • Include predominantly members of your ACHD program
  • Family-friendly and clean (avoid any profanity, violence depictions, etc.)
  • Free of offensive content

See this example from the ACHD program at OHSU.

Submit a link to your video to kcvicme@ohsu.edu  .

Videos will be judged at the meeting, and prizes will be awarded.

Road bike ride

We are coordinating a road bike ride from the airport to the venue on Wednesday, May 29, inspired by Michael Gatzoulis. The scenic 45 mile (72 km) road bike-friendly route from Portland International Airport to Skamania lodge climbs gently up to Crown point and then down along the Old Columbia River Highway, past some of the best sites in the Columbia River Gorge. You can find the exact route here.

We have arranged bike rentals with a local bike shop, Everybody's Bike Rentals.  The shop will meet us at the start point and pick up the bikes after.  You should make appropriate arrangements directly with the shop ahead of time.  Let them know you are with the "Skamaniacs" group.  Ryan will let you choose a bike type and style.

Alternatively you can transport your road bike as checked luggage on the plane (bags like this one work fine). We will drive your luggage to the lodge while you ride up, and have a support vehicle along the route if needed, though safety is your responsibility.

This ride is for those with road bike experience, more than just your daily exercise bike session. Riders should be comfortable with changing a flat tire, navigation, avoiding obstacles, riding in a group, adjusting to weather conditions, etc. Please come prepared to have fun safely.

The group ride will begin at 8 a.m.

Sponsors and exhibitors

We are open to sponsorship opportunities to support the meeting costs. There will be space available for exhibitors at the venue as well. Please email Kindell Adams with inquiries.