JULY 29 , 2018 RHEUMATOLOGY IN VIRGINIA
VSR Annual Scientific Meeting, SEPTEMBER, 21 - 23 2018
The VSR needs your help, early registrations help the society. This is a conference you will not want to miss. The 2018 agenda is packed with excellent topics and speakers. The low travel cost and collaborative time with colleagues from your community bring additional value to the VSR annual meeting.

Speak up for your profession and patients - Come to Advocates for Arthritis
On September 24-25, the ACR will sponsor ACR and ARHP members and their patients to come to Washington, DC and educate our elected officials on the issues facing all of us. The program will include advocacy training, prominent guest speakers, and visits with your senators and representatives in Congress. You will be joined by the ACR Board of Directors, Government Affairs and RheumPAC committee members as we go to the Hill.   Beyond training sessions for members and patients, there will be an Advocacy 101 course for Fellows-in-Training and Division Directors.
If you, your staff and/or your patients are interested in preventing the proposed CMS reimbursement changes, improving step therapy, and educating our “hired help” about our profession, please apply before August 7 to join your colleagues at the annual Advocates 4 Arthritis fly-in.
If you have questions please reach out to the ACR or Harry L Gewanter, M.D.,FAAP,FACR hgewanter@icloud.com

The ACR is speaking out against the CMS plan to cut reimbursement for rheumatology evaluation and management services by an estimated 3%, which could reduce salaries approximately 10% after clinic overhead payments. As ACR President David Daikh, MD, PhD, stated, it "will further restrict patient access to rheumatologists and other cognitive specialists at a time when the workforce is already shrinking." The ACR is also standing up for smaller practices by opposing the elimination of a stand-alone practice bonus in MIPS. Dr. Daikh called on ACR/ARHP members to invest in RheumPAC and email legislators through the ACR's Legislative Action Center.
JINGLE BELL RUN 2018
Roanoke – Downtown Roanoke
Saturday, December 1, 2018

Virginia Beach – Mount Trashmore Park
Sunday, December 2, 2018 *new date for 2018!

Richmond – Mary Munford Elementary School
Saturday, December 8, 2018

Newport News – Mariners Museum
Saturday, December 8, 2018
COCKTAILS & CUISINE 2019
The Arthritis Foundation event Cocktails & Cuisine event will take place annually. They just set the date for next year, it will be Friday, May 10, 2019 , at The Country Club of Virginia James Rive Club house, More details to come.
Laura E. Boone Executive Director Virginia
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
Mobile: 757.812.4654
Virginia Society Of Rheumatologists | Elizabeth Craig | ecraig@ramdocs.org