Fall 2026 (Volume 36, Number 3)

CRA Planetary Health Task Force Concludes Two Years of Impact

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When Dr. Stephanie Tom (current president of the Canadian Rheumatology Association) brought her passion for planetary health to the CRA in 2023, it sparked a conversation that grew into a national initiative. With Board support, the CRA launched the Planetary Health Task Force in 2024 to explore how environmental sustainability and high-quality patient care intersect within rheumatology.

Over the next two years, Chair Dr. Stephanie Tom and task force members Drs. Philip Baer, Claire Barber, Sasha Bernatsky, Molly Dushnicky, Beth Hazel, and Fergus To transformed that interest into a range of practical resources and educational initiatives for the Canadian rheumatology community.

The task force developed the bilingual Sustainable Health Care: An Implementation Guide for Rheumatology toolkit (rheum.ca/resources/planetary-health-for-rheumatology/) produced English and French podcast episodes (rheum.ca/resources/aroundtherheum/), launched the interactive RheumBingo educational initiative, contributed to Choosing Wisely Canada’s climate-conscious recommendations, and helped create a dedicated planetary health edition of the CRAJ. The group also shared its work through presentations, workshops, and collaborations across Canada and internationally.

As the task force concluded its mandate in summer 2026, the CRA extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Tom and all task force members for their vision, leadership, and dedication.

While the formal task force has concluded, ongoing monitoring of planetary health developments will be incorporated through the CRA's Quality and Innovation Committee and its Choosing Wisely efforts.

The Planetary Health Task Force demonstrated how a member-driven idea can grow into a national initiative through the CRA, creating resources, education, and lasting impact for the rheumatology community. Do you have an initiative or idea you would like to discuss with the CRA? If so, please email info@rheum.ca.

Sustainable Health Care: An Implementation Guide for Rheumatology

View the toolkit here: rheum.ca/resources/planetary-health-for-rheumatology/