CRAJ Fall 2020

Fall 2020 (Volume 30, Number 3)

Around the Rheum:
The Official Podcast of the CRA

By Dax G. Rumsey, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

After several years of contemplation and preparation, the CRA Communications Committee’s brainchild of a podcast by Canadian rheumatologists for Canadian rheumatologists (and hopefully beyond) has finally been born!

“Around the Rheum” was officially launched this year. Our host, Daniel Ennis, is a young rheumatologist working in Vancouver, B.C., with a special interest in vasculitis, who was (in the words of Leonard Cohen) “born with the gift of a golden voice.” On the production side, we have been working closely with David McGuffin, a world-class broadcast journalist, podcast host, and podcast producer. David has extensive experience in journalism, including his previous role as Africa correspondent for the CBC, and his current roles as reporter on Canada for National Public Radio (NPR) and Canadian Geographic’s Explore Podcast. In addition to David, we have benefitted from the expertise of Aaron Fontwell, a musician and producer, who has worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Tiesto!

Our first episode was an interview with Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, the lead author of the CRA’s position statement on Medical Cannabis. Since then, we have recorded multiple other podcasts, including a mini-series on COVID-19 and rheumatology, which is being supported by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), MD Management, and Scotiabank.

We have been working with David and Aaron to produce a high quality end-product. Our podcast has had great response so far with more than 1,000 downloads to date, and the feedback we have received has been very positive. “Around the Rheum” is available wherever fine podcasts are found, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play. So, please download, subscribe to, rate, and review our/your podcast! The more downloads and positive ratings we get, the better!

We would like to acknowledge the strong support of the CRA, especially Kevin Baijnauth for bringing all of us together, and Ahmad Zbib, our CEO, for his support.

Dax G. Rumsey, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
Zone Section Chief, Paediatric Rheumatology,
Alberta Health Services – Edmonton Zone
(Stollery Children’s Hospital)
Division Director, Paediatric Rheumatology,
Assistant Professor, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta