Since we've just wrapped up an exemplary conference for Women in Rheumatology this newsletter is dedicated to the highlights of the 2019 AWIR National Meeting Hilton Head, SC.
Watch Facebook live videos for sessions and content on our website at www.awirgroup.org.
Starting the conference with a panel of superb rheumatologists, the Immunology Boot Camp soared with luminaries, Drs. Wright, Calabrese, Tesser and Kaine. Instructing us on IL6, Biosimiliars, cytokines, JAKs, aging and updated data on mindfulness participants were intrigued especially with the iPad technology.
LATTE N LEARN
Opening the series gender compensation difference affects the lifelong earnings of female physicians. Transparency initiatives address compensation differences as well as negotiation skills. Finally, the role of transformational leadership improves outcomes.
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT: CONTRACTING PART III
Contracting Part III with Attorneys Andrew Erteschik and J.M.Durnovich of Poyner Spruill proved negotiable items can be in any of your contracts.
We were reminded to:
Be prepared to be creative in your requests.
Get everything in writing.
Read every page of a contract and make certain it is in modern English.
SCIENTIFIC UPDATES
Reviewing our immune system, Dr. Alan Epstein enhanced our knowledge of innate and adaptive immunity.
Discussing Axial and Peripheral Spondyloarthritis with differences in female presentations was advanced with Drs. Grace Wright and Reeti Joshi.
Elevating our scientific training with IL6 updates, Pain pathway review, update on AWIR RA Disease Burden Registry, Disparities in Lupus outcomes and PROs was accomplished by talks from Drs. Winkler, Ross, Lane, Blazer, Kerr and Kaine.
Notes from Scientific Updates:
Women have different presentation for axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis.
Disparities exist in Lupus patients of color with clear genetic implications.
Patient reported outcomes are varied and should reflect the patient’s goals.
Pain pathways are mediated through neurotransmitters and immune response plays a role.
GCA is a disease of the large blood vessel with potential gender and ethnic differing presentations.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
An inaugural creative writing workshop highlighted Drs. Glenn Parris and Martha Boone both physicians and writers this year. Explaining the writing process they have instilled new creative outlets for many attendees.
Creative Writing Takeaways:
Decide your own writing style and genre.
Read other than medicine.
Enjoy the words of others.
Jot notes with ideas.
Get in the habit of writing daily.
Featured workshops included: Rheumatology Fellows Forum, Contracting for Advanced Practice Providers, Mindfulness and educating Rheumatologists about Lupus and Pregnancy.
LEADERSHIP SERIES
Utilizing the theme of Super Woman our Leadership Panel - featuring Ester Banque, Cristina Santos, Jennifer Herron, Drs. Grace Wright, moderator, Lisa Criscione, Megan Clowse and Gilda Barabino discussed Power, Equality, Diversity and it’s impact on leadership development.
Leadership Panel Takeaways:
One can be powerful or empowered.
Equality does not mean equity.
Disparity and diversity must be melded together.
When women are disempowered, powerless, feel inequity, inequalityand disparity the entire society suffers.
We must strive to balance these concepts and further our female impact on society and the care of our patients.
ADVOCACY
Drs Melton and Ott with Heather Kazmark informed the attendees about the AWIR Advocacy platform, Advocacy tools and Hill Day Visit.
Advocacy outreach to all members has been occurring with newsletters, advancing the Advocacy Toolkit and taking action with our Take Action campaign. A Hill Visit was accomplished with key issues about Equal Pay, PA authorization, helping senior access to care. The Gender Disparity survey was revealed in US and we'll share the International Survey with other countries now.
NETWORKING, POSTERS, AND FUN
More Meeting Highlights:
Reviewing posters with updates from EULAR and ACR at the Prosecco and Poster sessions added value and a chance to network with colleagues.
Interesting exchanges of ideas continued with photo booth, tennis, golf, biking and enjoying specialty libations at the Terrace and pool.
Reinforcing our AWIR community events are created to strengthen us. Attendees did a Sunrise Walk, danced the night away with a Mardi Gras themed evening, exchanged stories at networking events, shared meals with family, friends and attendees.
AWIR RABD TRIAL
Over 20 sites have enrolled patients and still adding to this registry. For more details click the button below.
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