May 14, 2022 at the Marriott Marquis San Francisco

Last month, we were thrilled to be able to hold our 18th Annual Medical & Scientific Meeting both in-person and virtually at the Marriott Marquis San Francisco hotel. During the course of the meeting, we had the privilege of honoring Dr. Michael Stevens at our Honorary Luncheon. Dr. Stevens was selected to receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the speakers who shared their memories and personal stories really provided fun insight into Dr. Stevens’s life and career. It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating the founder of the California Rheumatology Alliance! Watch the slideshow below for photos from the event!

October 8, 2021 at the Marina del Rey Marriott

Finally, after a year and a half of cancelled and attending meetings virtually, we were able to safely and successfully hold our 17th Annual Medical & Scientific Meeting during UCLA’s 38th Annual Carl M. Pearson Symposium in Marina del Rey, CA at the Marina del Rey Marriott. The meeting was well attended and the talks were timely and informative. However, one of the major highlights of the weekend was our Honorary Luncheon where we celebrated and awarded our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Daniel Furst. Family, friends and colleagues gathered together, both in-person and virtually, to share their memories of working with him and how he’s positively influenced and impacted their lives and careers.

If you were unable to attend, please click the video below and comment if you would like to share any well wishes or stories for Dr. Furst!

Photo Gallery

Images by Shanna Castro Photography

CRA Webinar: Review of Upadacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This webinar has been postponed to a later date TBD. Stay tuned!

POSTPONED TO: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 AT 6PM

We invite you to RSVP for our upcoming CRA webinar titled “A COVID-19 Vaccine Conversation” presented by Michael Dutro, PharmD/Pfizer where we’ll discuss any updates to the Pfizer vaccine and how to encourage and build your patients’ confidence in getting vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. Q&A will follow.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020
5:30 p.m. PST

REGISTER NOW!

Join us for a 1-hour webinar as Drs. Leonard and Cassandra Calabrese discuss how COVID19 has impacted immunology/rheumatology and how we’ll need to adapt to properly treat our patients safely.

Registration is free for all 2020 current dues paying CRA members! Click the button below to Register Now!

REGISTER NOW!

Medicare and the Rheumatologist Webinar
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
5:00 p.m. PST

Have questions about how changes to federal programs in response to COVID-19 impact rheumatologists and their practices?

Have them answered by Noridan Medical Director, Dr. Arthur Lurvey during the Medicare and the Rheumatologist Webinar. This webinar will keep you in the know on a rapidly changing policy environment as policymakers grapple with how to respond to the cascading side effects of large scale social distancing. Dr. Lurvey will also touch on what to look for in the future, helping you prepare your practice for changes on the horizon.

This webinar is being offered free to any practicing rheumatologist. Please forward this invitation to any colleague that is interested in this information.

Topics covered will include:

• Accelerated & Advanced Payment Programs under the CARES Act 
• MIPS & QPP during COVID-19
• Physician support programs & emergency waivers 
• Telemedicine changes 
• E & M changes 
• Documentation simplification & medical records. 
• Q & A

REGISTER NOW!

Arthur N. Lurvey, MD, FACP, FACE

Arthur Lurvey is a board certified internist and endocrinologist, and a Medicare Contractor Medical Director for 21 years, currently for Noridian Healthcare Solutions as the Medicare Contractor in Jurisdiction JE. He was in clinical practice for over 35 years. Dr. Lurvey received his MD degree from the University of Illinois, and had his post doctorate and fellowship training at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He is a delegate to both the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

May 20, 2019
Sacramento, CA

On May 20, 2019, the Arthritis Foundation, California Rheumatology Alliance and the National Psoriasis Foundation joined together for the 2019 Advocacy Summit in Sacramento, CA. Our focus was to educate and bring awareness to legislators about utilization management and the impact it has on how patients receive treatment. Check out the video below for a fun recap of the day and we hope to see you next year!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018
5pm – 6pm PST

You’re invited to join us for a 1-hour webinar as Mary Watanabe, DMHC Deputy Director, Health Policy discusses the step therapy process and how legislation has affected the current process. There will be an opportunity to share your experiences regarding the step therapy process as well as Q&A.

San Francisco, CA
May 5-6, 2018
Hotel Nikko San Francisco

EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES: 2018 CRA Corporate Membership Prospectus. 
Diamond/Platinum memberships receive: Double booths (two 6′ tables) in a preferred position for tabletop display Gold/Silver/Bronze memberships receive: Single booth (one 6′ table) for tabletop display.

SPONSORED MEALS:

SATURDAY, MAY 5TH: 

Honorary Luncheon – You’re invited to join us as we celebrate Neal S. Birnbaum, MD for his achievements and dedication to rheumatology as he receives the CRA Lifetime Achievement Award!

Dinner Program: We invite you to attend a General Attendee Dinner titled “Addressing the Unique Considerations of Women with Autoimmune Diseases” presented by Dr. Gordon Lam/Director of Research with the Carolinas Healthcare System. The presentation will be held at:

China Live
644 Broadway
San Francisco, CA

View dinner invitation: UCB Wellness 4 U Womens Health Invite 5-5-18.pdf

This dinner is sponsored by UCB, Inc.
 

SUNDAY MAY 6TH: 

Luncheon – You’re invited to attend a free luncheon hosted by United Rheumatology more about their services available to rheumatologists throughout the country and how they can help support and sustain your practice. Registration begins at 1pm with lunch promptly at 1:30pm. RSVP today! Seating is limited. 

View Flyer: United Rheumatology Luncheon Flyer 5-6-18.pdf

Monday, November 6, 2017 at 2pm
Room: Aqua 300 the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel

April 7-9, 2017
Marina del Rey, CA

Out 13th Annual Meeting was at the Carl Pearson Meeting on April 7-9th, 2017 at the Marina del Rey Marriott! 

This year, the CRA honored both Dr.Peng Fan and Dr. Rodanthi Kitridou with a Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating all their dedication + achievements in rheumatology! 

May 21 – 22, 2016
Hotel Nikko San Francisco

CRA and UCSF partnered to bring you the 12th Annual Medical & Scientific Meeting on May 21 – 22, 2016, at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco.

As a friendly reminder, please click on the link below to complete your course survey and claim your CME certificate:

COURSE EVALUATION

Once you complete the survey, you will have the opportunity to claim your credits and print or email a copy of your certificate.  Please complete this evaluation within 30 days of the conference.

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Meeting Highlights:

Thanks to the enthusiasm of our attendees, the participation of our esteemed faculty, generosity of our sponsors and support of our staff, the CRA 12th Annual Meeting was another successful event!

CRA/Bevra H. Hahn Fellow Scholarship

We are pleased to announce the 2016 – 2017 CRA/Bevra H. Hahn grant recipient is Matthew Baker, MD from Stanford University. Congratulations Dr. Baker!

CRA Lifetime Acheivement Award Ceremony

Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues , we were honored to celebrate Lester D. Miller, MD for his achievements, dedication and contributions to rheumatology at an honorary luncheon on Saturday, May 21st. 

CRA Board of Directors

The CRA has been privileged to have a Board of Directors to guide our organization to success from the very beginning. This year, we celebrated and thanked the following board members who stepped down this year:

• Martin Berry, MD
• Gary Feldman, MD – President
• Mark Genovese, MD
• James Jenkins, PhD, MPH – Vice President
• Roy Kaplan, MD – Secretary/Treasurer
• Niall Roche, MD
• Michael Stevens, MD – Past President

In November of 2015, CRA co-hosted a Fellows Exchange event along with the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations.  Fellows from across the country came to meet with physicians and recruiters from independant practices, multispecialty groups, academic institutions, and hospital systems.

April 10 – 12, 2015
Marina del Rey Marriott

May 18 – 19, 2013
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

The California Rheumatology Alliance’s 9th Annual Medical and Scientific Meeting was held at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, California, May 18 – 19, 2013.

CRA partnered with the National Organization of Rheumatology Managers (NORM) to create a meeting for rheumatology practice managers held in conjunction with the CRA 9th Annual Meeting.

May 21 – 22, 2011
Omni Hotel Los Angeles at California Plaza

The California Rheumatology Alliance’s 7th Annual Medical and Scientific was held Meeting May 21 – 22, 2011 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The course featured a wide range of interesting and timely topics from national thought leaders in rheumatology.  New this year were additional talks on issues affecting community practice (such as defining “meaningful use” of EHR and Accountable Care Organizations), a payer roundtable and a hands-on workshop on musculoskeletal ultrasound.