Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Professional Topics

Subcategories:AwardsCareer DevelopmentEthicsInterprofessional PerspectiveLegislation & AdvocacyPresident's PerspectiveProfilesRheuminations

In Memoriam: A Tribute to Dr. Philip Robinson

The COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Steering Committee: Jinoos Yazdany, MD, MPH; Zachary S. Wallace, MD, MSc; Paul Sufka, MD; Emily Sirotich, PhD; Pedro Machado, MD, PhD, FRCP; Jean Liew, MD, MS; Jonathan Hausmann, MD; Rebecca Grainger, MB ChB, PhD; Monique Gore-Massy; & Suleman Bhana, MD, FACR  |  

We write to celebrate the life of Philip C. Robinson, MB ChB, PhD, FRACP, a beloved colleague and leader in rheumatology. Phil died in early January after an unexpected and short illness. He is survived by his wife, Helen, and his two young sons. We have witnessed an incredible outpouring of respect and affection for…

Overcoming Healthcare Disparity

  |  

PHILADELPHIA—Quality improvement (QI) tools in pediatric rheumatology can help overcome health outcome disparities that are based on race, gender identity, income and other factors, experts said in a session at ACR Convergence. With it well established that these disparities exist, it’s time to begin eliminating them, said Emily Smitherman, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatric…

FDA Officials Speak Out: New Approvals & Safety Concerns Discussed

  |  

PHILADELPHIA—Officials from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration discussed recent drug approvals and drug safety issues at ACR Convergence in November in a session that captured the flurry of activity in the rheumatology sphere at the agency over the past year. Sabiha Khan, MD, clinical reviewer in the Division of Rheumatology and Transplant Medicine at…

Mitigating Drug Shortages: FDA Officials Say Communication Is Crucial

  |  

PHILADELPHIA—The most vital component of avoiding drug shortages is early communication, officials from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) said in a session at ACR Convergence 2022 in November. “Early notification is key in order to prevent and mitigate shortages,” said Hyun Son, PharmD, a member of the Drug Shortage Staff with the FDA…

Are You Listening? Young Patient Advocates Call for Change

  |  

PHILADELPHIA—Representatives of the Young Patients’ Autoimmune Research and Empowerment Alliance (YP AREA) led a panel titled Young Patients with Big Ideas Will Revolutionize Healthcare and Research, in which they discussed their work as advocates for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. YP AREA’s mission is to make autoimmune research more accessible and inclusive by involving…

Contraception, Abortion & Rheumatic Disease after Dobbs

  |  

PHILADELPHIA—As rheumatologists, we care for patients who may or may not want to become pregnant. We aren’t obstetricians or gynecologists, but several of the drugs we prescribe for active rheumatic disease can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. It’s imperative we understand how to effectively counsel our patients with rheumatic disease on the risks and benefits of…

Fall 2022’s Awards, Appointments & Announcements in Rheumatology

  |  

Lupus Research Alliance Inaugurates Diversity Awards The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) inaugurated two new award mechanisms this past summer with the goal of alleviating the racial disparities prevalent in both autoimmune diseases and the biomedical research community. Three notable early career scientists from under-represented groups received the Diversity in Lupus Research Career Development Awards, and…

The 2022 ACR Masters

Patrice Fusillo  |  

Recognition as an ACR Master is one of the highest honors the College bestows. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older by Oct. 1 of the year in which they are nominated, who have made outstanding contributions to the ACR and the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or…

The 2022 ACR Awards of Distinction

Patrice Fusillo  |  

During ACR Convergence 2022 in early November, the ACR honored a group of individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care by announcing the recipients of the ACR’s 2022 Awards of Distinction, as well as the 2022 ACR Masters, recognized for their contributions to the field. See the November issue…