With 36 years of ongoing success, the Iowa Rheumatology Symposium has long-established itself as an innovative educational event, experimenting with everything from speaker format to lunch menus to audience engagement methods. This year-to-year variation has made the symposium popular, drawing rheumatology experts and health professionals from across the Midwest to deepen their knowledge.
This year, the meeting was held at the Iowa City Marriott, the event’s long-standing venue, on Friday, April 24th. Attendees discussed current topics in vasculitis, cardio-rheumatology, and systemic sclerosis, focusing on the diagnosis and management of these conditions and their comorbidities.
Clinical Associate Professor of Immunology and Psychiatry Hanna Zembrzuska, MD, MME, FACP, introduced the speaker lineup, which included dynamic presentations from visiting lecturers. Associate Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin Mike Putnam, MD, MSCI, presented twice and prompted strong engagement, discussion, and even laughter across both sessions.
Presentations
Big Vessel Vasculitis: Management and Mimickers (Robert F. Ashman Lecture)
Mike Putman, MD, MSCICardio-Rheumatology: The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease (Paul Strottman Lecture)
Amin Sabet, MD, FACC: Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine, Director of Cardio-Rheumatology Program at Mary and Steven Wen Cardiovascular DivisionSmall Vessel Vasculitis
Mike Putman, MD, MSCIReflecting on Systemic Sclerosis as a Vascular and Phenotypic Disease
Robyn Domsic, MD, MPH: Associate Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director of the Scleroderma Center at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC
Sessions paused for lunch and socializing, where attendees also had opportunities to visit with industry vendors. Then Clinical Assistant Professor of Immunology Lemon Ni, MD, RhMSCUS, facilitated the Mini Thieves Market Case, which featured interactive case discussions led by fellows from UI Health Care’s Rheumatology and Allergy/Immunology programs.
Amir Abidov, MD
Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology
Dual Certification Pathway Fellow PhysicianAmanda Hurtig, MD
Rheumatology Fellow PhysicianRobert Lukin, MD
Rheumatology Fellow PhysicianMadalyn Walsh, MD
Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology
Dual Certification Pathway Fellow PhysicianThank you to everyone who presented, attended, and helped organize this year’s event. Every year, the Rheumatology Symposium is made possible by the coordination and planning of the administrative team; a special thanks to Andrew Huizer, Lynne Thomas, and Dylan Gardiner for all their hard work.
