Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society President's Message
As I assume the position of President of the Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society, I think back to when I started on the Board of Directors just a few short years ago. The Society was in a much different situation. In the past few years, membership has increased, the finances have improved significantly, and we have now had the 4th Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society Annual Meeting this past September. Increased membership means that the Society can more adequately represent rheumatologists in the state of Pennsylvania. Improved finances allow the Society to fund various endeavors including educational activities for our fellows in training (FITs). The improved financial health of the Society is in large part due to the generous support of our friends in industry through our Corporate Partnership program. We greatly appreciate this support and look forward to mutually beneficial relationships going forward. Finally, the Annual Meeting has improved every year as an educational experience and an event for colleagues, including established rheumatologists, rheumatologists new to Pennsylvania, and FITs, to come together each year.
I would like to thank the previous presidents including Phil Cohen and Don Goldsmith, the other members of the Board of Directors, and the staff of the Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society who built a very solid foundation for the Society. The staff works tirelessly performing many tasks that are crucial to the functioning of the Society, procuring financing, and organizing the Annual Meeting. The 4th Annual Meeting was a great success with an increased number of attendees in total but also more rheumatology fellows in attendance, many of whom were involved with the Thieves’ Market and poster presentations.
In the next two years, I hope to continue to grow the Society by encouraging young rheumatologists in Pennsylvania to join the Society and participate in its activities. The Society will also continue to represent the rheumatologists of Pennsylvania as our state and various insurance companies introduce new policies that affect the practice of rheumatology. Our role will be to encourage policies that will make Pennsylvania a great place to practice rheumatology and recruit new physicians to our practices, both private and academic, and also ensure that as rheumatologists, we can provide excellent care for our patients.
I encourage all Rheumatology Fellowship Program Directors to send their FITs to attend the Annual Meeting and submit abstracts. Membership in the Society is complimentary for FITs and the event is an excellent place to enjoy the educational activities, meet other FITs, and meet other rheumatologists who may be prospective employers. The Society is looking at other possible ways to play a role in training activities and support FITs. I am looking forward to working with all of you over the next two year.
Larry
Lawrence Brent, MD
I would like to thank the previous presidents including Phil Cohen and Don Goldsmith, the other members of the Board of Directors, and the staff of the Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society who built a very solid foundation for the Society. The staff works tirelessly performing many tasks that are crucial to the functioning of the Society, procuring financing, and organizing the Annual Meeting. The 4th Annual Meeting was a great success with an increased number of attendees in total but also more rheumatology fellows in attendance, many of whom were involved with the Thieves’ Market and poster presentations.
In the next two years, I hope to continue to grow the Society by encouraging young rheumatologists in Pennsylvania to join the Society and participate in its activities. The Society will also continue to represent the rheumatologists of Pennsylvania as our state and various insurance companies introduce new policies that affect the practice of rheumatology. Our role will be to encourage policies that will make Pennsylvania a great place to practice rheumatology and recruit new physicians to our practices, both private and academic, and also ensure that as rheumatologists, we can provide excellent care for our patients.
I encourage all Rheumatology Fellowship Program Directors to send their FITs to attend the Annual Meeting and submit abstracts. Membership in the Society is complimentary for FITs and the event is an excellent place to enjoy the educational activities, meet other FITs, and meet other rheumatologists who may be prospective employers. The Society is looking at other possible ways to play a role in training activities and support FITs. I am looking forward to working with all of you over the next two year.
Larry
Lawrence Brent, MD
