WIN with Arthritis (A Post PRA 2016 Report)

Posted on by Phil Rheuma

More than 500 physicians, paramedical professionals and medical students were all WINNERS in the recently concluded 22nd Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) Annual Meeting at the Iloilo Convention Center last 25-27 February 2016 with the general theme “Linking Past to Present”.

The event kicked off with pre-convention activities consisting of an ARMS (Applied Rheumatology Made Simple) workshop for non-rheumatologists, Gout Awareness Campaign (in SM City Iloilo), and a physico-socio-environmental exercise “Rayuma walk / Kalye Share”(held at the Iloilo River Esplanade) co-organized with Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Western Visayas and initiated by Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr.

The induction of the new PRA fellows, diplomates and members opened the convention proper. The audience actively participated in the Dr. Lourdes Manahan Memorial Lecture, entitled “The Time to Talk is Over,” by the environment vanguard, Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr. The audience were made aware of the reality about the big role people had in solving environmental problems.

The “What is New and Practical (WIN)” lecture series was introduced by the “Chronicles of Rheumatology” which recounted the history of the subspecialty. Newer and more relevant developments in managing rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, pediatric rheumatology, systemic lupus erythematosus, sclerodermal interstitial lung diseases and gout were then discussed by our colleagues. Dr. Yew Kwang Cheng (Singapore) and Prof. Yi.Hsing Chen(Taiwan) then shared their experience in “Bridging the gaps between clinical trial and clinical practice in the care of rheumatoid arthritis”. PRA past presidents then took center stage in discussing the approach to rare conditions (autoimmune encephalitis and lupus with psoriasis) with the fellows-in-training during the “Meet the Expert” sessions.  The “Rayuma Quiz” for the Ilonggo Internal Medicine Residents concluded the scientific program.

A fun-filled fellowship night, themed “PRA goes Tribal,” began with the induction of the new PRA Board of Trustees, headed by Dr. Bernadette Heizel Reyes (President).  Both PRA members and convention partners rocked the Casa Real De Iloilo as they enjoyed the program prepared by the organizers, showcasing their attire and posing with the Dinagyang warriors.

Written by Dr. Helmar F. Soldevilla and Dr. Sidney Erwin T. Manahan

Brief Overview of PRA 2016

Posted on by Phil Rheuma

It’s just 6 weeks from our 22nd PRA Annual Meeting. Are you excited already?

Listed below are tentative events for our three-day convention:

25 February 2016 (Pre-Convention)

  • Applied Rheumatology Made Simple (ARMS) Workshop
  • Gout Awareness Campaign Activity
  • PEARL Musicale (SM City Iloilo Activity Center)

 

26 February 2016 (Convention Day 1)

  • Induction of New Members
  • Dr. Lourdes Manahan Memorial Lecture
  • What’s New: Approach to Rheumatic Diseases
  • What’s New: Osteoarthritis
  • What’s New: Gout
  • What’s New: Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Ultrasound and Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Meet the Masters I

 

27 February 2016 (Convention Day 2)

  • Targeted Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases
  • What’s New: Systemic Sclerosis and Interstitial Lung Diseases
  • What’s New: Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Meet the Masters II
  • Rheumatology Quiz
  • PRA Business Meeting (for members only)
  • Fellowship Night

 

If you’re a doctor with special interests in rheumatology or a physician who wishes to be updated about rheumatic diseases, why not join us at the Iloilo Convention Center on the above dates?

If you’re a medical student or a Internal Medicine resident, why not consider a career in Rheumatology?

Invitation to PRA 2016

Posted on by Phil Rheuma
12507640_1266400926708447_4985323155860929712_n
Some members of the Iloilo Organizing Committee for PRA 2016: Dr. Stamen Tupas, Dr. Jovie Gerona, Dr. Caroline Arroyo, Dr. Roger Dulos, Dr. Nida Ferrer and Dr. Helmar Palacios. (Photograbbed from FB account of Dr. Caroline Arroyo)

It is with great excitement that we invite you our honored guests, speakers and colleagues to the 22nd PRA Annual Meeting happening at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON) in Iloilo City from February 25-27, 2015.

It has been almost 20 years since we last hosted our annual meeting  – thus, the theme “Linking Past to the Present” is but just fitting for this event. Notwithstanding the fact that Iloilo City is now cosmopolitan but still able to preserve its rich cultural heritage.

Pre convention activities (on February 25) kicks off with the gout awareness campaign for the lay persons. This will be followed by the PEARL casts showcasing their various talents – inspiring patients and doctors alike and proving to us that rheumatic disease is no hindrance from leading wonderful productive lives.

The organizing committee has prepared interesting topics for the convention proper (inspired by movie themes) suited not only for rheumatologists but for internists and general practitioners. We will have sessions to “Meet the Masters” where our pillars in rheumatology demonstrate their ingenuity in managing complicated rheumatic cases.

The Lourdes Manahan Memorial Lecture traditionally centers on topic outside of rheumatology and healing that will keep us pondering. The rheumatology quiz for the medical residents will be resurrected and hopefully will ignite interests to pursue rheumatology as a career.

The three day meeting will be capped by an entertaining fellowship night at Casa Real Iloilo ( site of the old Capitol building ) – themed “PRA goes Tribal”.

So let us enjoy what Iloilo City has to offer – from  heritage tours, historical churches, culinary feasts and the Ilonggo hospitality. But, more importantly, let us NOT forget to share and learn during our 22nd PRA Annual Meeting.

See you at the ICON!

 

 

Caroline G. Arroyo, MD, FPRA, FPCP

Over-all Chair
22nd PRA Annual Meeting