The ACR annual Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday afternoon, beginning at 2:30 pm, and will include reports from the ACR treasurer and secretary on membership, as well as ARHP and the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
All members are encouraged to attend the Business Meeting to learn more about ACR/ARHP initiatives and activities.
Report from the ARHP
ARHP President Kamala M. Nola, PharmD, MS, will present a brief “year-in-review” update on ARHP activities and membership issues along with a preview of ARHP initiatives and priorities for the coming year.
“One of the things we’ve been working on over the past year and are really excited about is ‘eBytes,’ part of our new online learning management system,” Dr. Nola said. “The eBytes program will focus on both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and will feature ‘bite-sized’ offerings of essential rheumatology-specific information and activities, most of them taking no more than 15 to 30 minutes to complete.”
Dr. Nola said the eBytes program should be available in Winter 2016 and also will provide users the opportunity to explore multiple available resources, such as the ACR/ARHP Rheumatology Image Library, publications, and patient handouts.
ARHP commemorates its 50th anniversary this year, celebrated at the ARHP Gala on Monday night, and reflected in an expanded presence at this year’s annual meeting.
“We have 115 abstracts being presented this year, with oral presentations covering topics such as lupus, epidemiology and public health, physical function and disability,” Dr. Nola said. “We’re also highlighting our combined work with ACR in areas such as public health, pediatrics, and rehabilitation science.”
Rheumatology Research Foundation Report
Rheumatology Research Foundation President David Karp, MD, PhD, will report on the initiatives and activities of the Foundation, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“In those 30 years, Foundation funding for research and training has grown from $500,000 a year to more than $13 million a year,” Dr. Karp said. “One of the ways we’re marking the anniversary is with a revamp of the Foundation’s website, which we’re unveiling this week at the annual meeting. It’s been an exciting year for the Foundation.”
Dr. Karp will update members on the status of the fundraising campaign, Journey to Cure: The Campaign to Advance Patient Care and Accelerate Discoveries, which will come to a close in 2016. Launched in 2011, the campaign supports the Foundation’s extensive awards and grants program. Currently, the campaign is less than $5 million away from achieving its $60 million goal.
The Business Meeting will also include reports from Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD, who will deliver the Treasurer’s Report, and David I. Daikh, MD, PhD, who will present the Membership Report.