The Virtual AHPA Pre-Course takes place prior to the CRA & AHPA Annual Scientific Meeting. The pre-course will be held VIRTUALLY on February 3rd and 4th, 2023 from 1-4 pm EST. The pre-course is FREE for AHPA members.
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We have an excellent lineup of speakers for the 2023 Pre-Course. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear Dr. Janet Pope deliver an engaging and informative talk on the Management of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Another highlight on Saturday is Dr. Andy Thompson’s presentation on The Role of Biomarkers in Inflammatory Arthritis.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE PRE-COURSE
Please note that the AHPA pre-course and the CRA/AHPA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) are two separate events and thus have two separate registration processes.
The pre-course registration deadline is now Thursday, February 2nd at midnight EST.
Presenters
Friday, February 3
Dr. Dax G. Rumsey — Early Identification and Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Dr. Dax G. Rumsey is a pediatric rheumatologist working at the University of Alberta and Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. His main clinical and research interest is in the area of juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA). He is a member of two networks of health care professionals with a special interest in spondyloarthritis - the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC), a Canadian network, and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN), a North American network. Dr. Rumsey is also the chair of the Early Identification and Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis (EIDA) program, an educational initiative aimed at educating non-rheumatologists about this disease, with the goal of earlier diagnosis, earlier treatment, and improved outcomes.
Dr. Elie Karam — Early Identification and Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Initially misdiagnosed for many years while doing his residency in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Karam’s biggest challenge in life became one of his biggest passions once he was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis. He is currently grateful for the treatments that changed his life and believes that moving forward means giving back. Dr. Elie Karam is currently doing his Family Medicine residency at the University of Ottawa. He is also chair of the board of the Canadian Spondylitis Association where he endeavours to put his leadership, medical, and research skills in the service of the SpA community to raise more awareness and improve the quality of life for patients living with spondyloarthropathies.
Ingrid Beam — Stretching
Ingrid Beam is a Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Pedorthist who has worked for Arthritis Society Canada within the North Simcoe, Muskoka region for the past 13 years.
She is also part of the faculty for the CPSIA program and has an additional 20 years’ experience in Acute Care, Rehabilitation Centers and private clinic work.
Ingrid will be sharing her passion to inspire, educate and encourage us all to ‘keep moving’ by leading a stretch break during the Pre-Course.
Inez Martincevik, MSc, RD — Nutrition and Nutritional Supplements in Arthritis: A Review of the Evidence
Inez Martincevic, MSc, RD, is a clinical dietitian practicing with the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Hospital for Sick Children. Inez completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Toronto working closely with leaders in clinical nutrition. In collaboration with her SickKids teams, Inez cares for patients affected by many chronic diseases, including autoimmune inflammatory conditions, as well participates in research endeavours looking to improve the diet, nutritional status, and the quality of life of those affected by these conditions.
Saturday, February 4
Andrew Eden Thompson BSc, MD, FRCPC, MHPE — The Role of Biomarkers in Inflammatory Arthritis
Andy Thompson, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Western University and the director of rheumatology at the Arva Clinic.
Andy obtained his medical degree and post-graduate training in internal medicine at the University of Western Ontario and completed a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of British Columbia. He completed a Masters of Health Professions Education (MHPE) degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Andy spent 12 years with the Division of Rheumatology at Western working with the rheumatology group at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. In 2016, Andy built a state of the art rheumatology clinic named the Arva Clinic (arvaclinic.com). Andy’s clinical practice focuses on the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Andy has published on several topics in rheumatic diseases and has presented at both national and international meetings. He also works to support the rheumatology community by maintaining a number of websites including www.RheumInfo.com, www.RheumReports.com, www.Rheumchoice.com, and www.RheumTalks.com for health care professionals and patients.
Jeff Beach — Update from the Canadian Spondylitis Association
Jeffrey Beach is the Executive Director of the Canadian Spondylitis Association (CSA), a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians living with Spondyloarthritis. His career in non-profit management, community and fund development spans over 25 years, including positions with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Youth Assisting Youth, The Arthritis Society, the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON Canada), Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support, and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. He is passionate about helping others reach their full potential despite the health and social challenges they face. Jeff is a lifelong volunteer for faith and community based causes, is Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Federated Health Charities and is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Toronto Chapter.
Ayesha Baig — Update from the Canadian Spondylitis Association
Ayesha Baig has been a nurse clinician at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) for almost 16 years: 8 years on the in-patient Hematology & Stem Cell Transplant Unit and almost 8 years as an Apheresis Nurse.
Ayesha has also been on the other side of healthcare – as a patient at the institution where she is employed. The many years that she has been followed at the MUHC combined with being a healthcare provider, has strengthened her belief in patient advocacy. Ayesha believes that she can bring a unique perspective as being both a nurse and patient to her fellow healthcare colleagues. She also believes that she can help her fellow co-patients and peers to better navigate the healthcare system.
Nurse clinician is only one of Ayesha’s many “titles”. She is also a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. All these roles have been impacted by axial spondyloarthritis. Ayesha was officially diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthritis in August of 2020, having experienced inflammatory back pain since adolescence. Ayesha is currently on a medical leave from work while she focuses on her health.
Janet Pope MD MPH FRCPC — Management of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dr. Janet Pope is a Professor of Medicine and member of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Western Ontario (UWO), Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada. Her research includes studies in scleroderma, SLE and RA. She has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles. She has received the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Canadian Rheumatology Association, Rheumatologist of the Year from the Ontario Rheumatology Association, Department of Medicine Research Achievement Award, and the Dean’s Award of Excellence in Research. She has been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the highest achievement for a health care professional in Canada. Follow her clinical pearls on twitter @janetbirdope.