We’re reporting live from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2024 in Washington, D.C., a yearly gathering for rheumatology experts worldwide. Join us as we talk to rheumatologists, researchers, and patients to discover how these advancements in research are shaping the future of health and advocacy.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:43: Dr. Sharon Dowell discusses her background as a rheumatologist and her favorite ACR session, "Thieves Market," which emphasizes the diversity of rheumatology cases

01:27: Dr. Dowell explains how events like ACR enhance advocacy by providing opportunities for networking and sharing global perspectives on patient care

02:24: Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli shares his excitement about lupus-specific sessions, especially on CAR T cell therapy, and how these advancements could help his patients

03:36: Dr. Venuturupalli emphasizes the importance of ACR as a global platform for learning and collaboration in rheumatology research

04:25: Cristina Montoya, a registered dietitian and patient advocate, shares her experience presenting on unrecognized symptoms of rheumatic diseases

05:29: Cristina highlights her work with the OMERACT Children’s Disease Working Group and her contributions to developing new outcomes for clinical trials

06:44: Dr. Shilpa Venkatachalam reflects on the patient-centered focus at ACR 2024 and the collaborative advancements in biologics and treatment modalities

09:02: Dr. Venkatachalam explains the value of patient-centered research in making invisible diseases visible through patient-reported outcomes and clinical data

12:06: Dr. Venkatachalam discusses how tools like PatientSpot empower patients to advocate for themselves by providing a full picture of their lived experiences

For more information about PatientSpot, visit: https://patientspot.org/

13:14: Zoe wraps up the episode, emphasizing the significance of research presented at ACR in improving patient outcomes and advocacy efforts

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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