Diamond Education Foundation Headache Management Paradigm 2024

Held in the fall of 2024, this course continued the foundation’s mission to provide “fluff-free” education for passionate practitioners. The program was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and daily bedside practice, focusing on the “paradigm shift” that views migraine as a complex brain disease rather than a simple vascular event. The curriculum utilized a heavy emphasis on case-based learning to explore difficult-to-treat scenarios, the integration of novel therapeutics (such as CGRP inhibitors), and the nuances of patient communication.
+ What You Will Learn
Attendees were able to:

Diagnose migraine phases and burden effectively, distinguishing between migraine and other complex headache disorders like high/low-pressure headaches (CSF dynamics).

Implement an “Acute Care Toolbox” for managing attacks that do not respond to first-line therapies.

Evaluate pivotal data on anti-CGRP medications and integrate them into preventive treatment plans.

Manage special populations through dedicated case studies, including pregnant/breastfeeding patients, the elderly, and those with comorbidities.

Apply specific interventional techniques, including the use of OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) and nerve blocks.

Navigate the complexities of “Dizzy Headache” and cluster headaches with confidence.

+ Event Details

Date: November 23, 2024

Location: The University Club of Chicago (76 East Monroe Street), Chicago, Illinois

Accommodations: The Palmer House Hilton (Partner Hotel)

+ Who Should Attend
The course was designed for the interdisciplinary headache care team:

Neurologists and Headache Specialists

Primary Care Physicians (Family Practice, Internal Medicine)

Advanced Practice Providers (Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants)

Nurses

Allied Health Professionals involved in pain management

+ Why Attend

Expert Faculty: The event featured a “who’s who” of headache medicine, including Dr. Merle Diamond, Dr. Andrew Blumenfeld, Dr. Stewart Tepper, and Dr. Mark Green.

Case-Based Approach: Unlike standard lecture formats, a significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to interactive “Case Studies” (e.g., Chronic Migraine, Medication Overuse Headache), allowing for practical troubleshooting of real-world scenarios.

Historic Venue: The setting at the University Club of Chicago offered an intimate and professional environment conducive to networking with national leaders in the field.

 
+ Topics:

01 Diagnosis of Migraine: Definitions & Disease Burden
02 Acute Care
03 Pivotal Data of Anti-CGRP Medications
04 High and Low Pressure Headache (CSF)
05 NOT Migraine
06 Case Study with CM MOH
07 Case Study Migraine Comorbidities
08 Case Study with Comorbidities
09 Case Study With Special Populations Geriatrics
10 Case Study With Special Populations Pregnancy
11 Case Study with Cluster and TAC