Winter 2013 (Volume 23, Number 4)

Ontario Rheumatology Association's 2013 Annual Meeting Report

By Jane Purvis, MD, FRCPC

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Once again, the Ontario Rheumatology Association (ORA) met at the J.W. Marriott resort for our 12th annual meeting. This was our best-attended and most successful meeting yet, with over 200 participants, including rheumatologists, rheumatology trainees, allied health participants, industry sponsors, and invited guests. The scientific sessions, once again expertly organized by Dr. Janet Pope, were extremely well received and touched upon diverse topics, such as liver disease, myopathies, an update from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), and clinical criteria for scleroderma.

Dr. Janet Pope accepting the 2013 ORA Rheumatologist of the Year award from ORA president Dr. Jane Purvis.

The keynote speaker was Ms. Suzanne LePage, who addressed the membership on the subject of insurance company coverage for medications in Canada, a very topical presentation. Friday evening featured an electronic medical record (EMR) vendor fair organized by the ORA EMR committee, led by Dr. Vandana Ahluwalia, as well as an excellent poster tour led by Drs. Jacob Karsh and Bill Bensen. The Walk for Arthritis was held on Saturday afternoon; there were over 100 participants who helped raise more than $16,000 for The Arthritis Society (TAS). Other Saturday activities included a birds of prey show, a culinary demonstration, and a bicycle tour. Saturday night was our gala dinner and awards ceremony. The 2013 Rheumatologist of the Year was Dr. Janet Pope, of London, Ontario, whose work has had international impact as well as tremendous resonance in the Ontario rheumatology community. We continued the gala evening with legendary dancing, courtesy of
Dr. Pope.

The J.W. Marriott, site of annual ORA meeting.

With our ongoing successes and with the membership's agreement, the ORA's 13th annual meeting will be held at the J.W. Marriott, from May 23-25, 2014. Save the date in order to secure your spot!

Jane Purvis, MD, FRCPC
President,
Ontario Rheumatology Association
Rheumatologist,
The Medical Centre
Peterborough, Ontario