Fall 2020 (Volume 30, Number 3)

A Joint Meeting with the Mexican College of Rheumatology

By Dr. Jamie Henderson, CRA President, 2010-2012

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My time as President of the CRA was dominated by preparations for the 2011 joint meeting between the Mexican College of Rheumatology (MCR) and the CRA. This undertaking was planned as a repeat of the 2006 joint meeting. The planning was undertaken by an organizing committee, which included Drs. John Thomson, Cory Baillie, Michel Zummer and myself. Dr. Glen Thomson handled the Scientific Committee that organized the details of the program. Multiple organizing meetings were held at various venues including the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), MCR, and CRA annual meetings. We invited three members of the MCR to our annual CRA meeting and, in return, we sent three members of the organizing committee to the annual MCR meetings. We had to accommodate the annual change in leadership of the MCR, which often meant starting negotiations over again each time the leadership changed. Despite the challenges, the meeting took place in Cancun and was a success according to polling that took place after the meeting.

An undertaking that has stood the test of time was bringing the Canadian Initiatives for Outcomes in Rheumatology Care, also known as CIORA, under the umbrella of the CRA, after it originated as an industry-sponsored endeavour. The transition was facilitated through the leadership of Dr. Paul Haraoui and Dr. Alf Cividino.

Another legacy was the inclusion of the Arthritis Health Professions Association (AHPA) Annual Meeting as an appendage to the CRA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). The symbiosis of the two organizations has added to the success of our meetings.

Many details are a little hazy after 10 years, but the six-year commitment to the executive committee allowed me to meet fellow rheumatologists from across the country and forge bonds that exist to this day.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the contribution made by Christine Charnock, with her unfailing commitment and energy, that enabled all the above to be accomplished.

Jamie Henderson, MD, FRCPC
Rheumatologist (retired),
President,
The Journal of Rheumatology
Fredericton, New Brunswick