Innovative ARHP Program to be Featured at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

This October in San Diego, the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting once again will offer exceptional learning and networking opportunities for rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. In collaboration with the ACR, the ARHP has developed a complementary, groundbreaking program for attendees. We have invited Dr. Anne Curzan, PhD, Arthur F. Thurnau professor of English at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, to deliver the Keynote Address. Dr. Curzan conducts research in the areas of lexicography and historical sociolinguistics. She is a regular on NPR Michigan Radio, offering her often-amusing take on our ever-changing language in the digital age. Her talk, “Words that Heal,” is guaranteed to make us think, laugh, and feel inspired.

Another session that promises to fascinate will be the address by our 2013 Distinguished Lecturer, Maura Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH. Dr. Iversen’s talk will focus on the rapidly changing eHealth environment. Her work and insights regarding the use of mobile applications and sensors will help attendees understand the unique opportunities to develop and use behaviorally based interventions delivered in a novel manner to our patients.

Other popular sessions include four Rheumatic Disease Updates covering inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, and the debate over the use of calcium and vitamin D. More hot topics at the annual meeting include:

• Best practices for diagnostic imaging;
• Exercise and cardiac comorbidities;
• Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus;
• Fertility and pregnancy;
• Innovative treatment options for chronic pain;
• Integrated approach to pediatric wellness; and
• Two specialty sessions regarding qualitative methods.

Also, by popular demand, there will be an immunology-focused boot camp consisting of three sessions over three days, and covering basic topics such as when good cells go bad, understanding targeted therapies, and the logic of biologics. On the final day, a critical session will discuss rheumatology practice in the age of the Affordable Care Act.

This year, for the first time, ARHP posters will be fully integrated with those from the ACR, allowing a more multidisciplinary perspective as attendees stroll the poster aisles. Plus, do not forget to attend the oral abstract presentations. This forum truly helps bring research in rheumatology to life. To help organize the diverse ARHP offerings, four primary tracks and four subtracks have been established. For each track, sessions will be identified within the program that will help you navigate from one related session to the next. These tracks will not only help you maximize your time at the meeting, but will also bring you into contact with others who have related interests. Don’t forget, the annual meeting provides a unique opportunity to meet new people and spend time with old colleagues. To facilitate such interaction, the ARHP will host two networking events taking place around noon.

This promises to be an exceptional meeting in a beautiful city. Please plan to join us in San Diego October 26–30. For more detailed information about this year’s annual meeting, view the registration brochure at www.ACRannualmeeting.org.

Dr. Hassett is a licensed clinical psychologist and an associate research scientist in the department of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Medical School and chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee ARHP Subcommittee.