2026 Update: Rheumatology Year in Review

The practice of Rheumatology is constantly evolving. Recent decades have witnessed dramatic and significant advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of many rheumatic diseases. This has led to improvements in the diagnosis and stratification of patients, development of newer therapies and treatment strategies. Combined, this has improved outcomes for many of our patients. In order to transform this knowledge into better outcomes for patients, rheumatologists require ongoing education and insight regarding the newest developments in patient assessment as well as the benefits and risks of large and expanding number of potential therapeutic agents and treatment strategies.

The goal of this activity is to provide rheumatologists with current, evidence-based data that can be translated into clinical practice in order to maximize therapeutic goals and optimize healthcare outcomes for patients with various rheumatic diseases.

This one-day, comprehensive program will utilize evidence-based data around the management of rheumatic diseases. Didactic teaching, along with interactive discussions and case-based discussion will enhance relevancy and provide rheumatologists with the ability to apply the latest data into clinical practice.

1. Explain current knowledge concerning the immunopathogenesis underlying various rheumatologic, systemic inflammatory, autoimmune disorders and define appropriate targets for therapy based on the latest studies presented at international conferences.
2. Apply current SLE treatment guidelines and recent therapeutic advances to the management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, with a focus on lupus nephritis.
3. Evaluate treatment options for patients with osteoporosis based on current evidence and individual patient considerations.
4. Describe the role of artificial intelligence in medical practice, including its potential applications in clinical care.
5. Review the latest research on inflammatory myositis.
6. Discuss treatment options and latest clinical development for patients with psoriatic arthritis.

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES ON DECEMBER 2, 2026

WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS ARE WELCOME. PLEASE NOTE, AN $25 ADDITIONAL FEE WILL APPLY.

Cancellation Policy: The full course tuition is refundable, less $25 if your cancellation is received in writing on or before one November 23, 2026. No refunds will be allowed after this date and no refunds for discounted fees will be allowed. Please send your cancellation request to [email protected]. In the unlikely event that the course is canceled, UC San Diego is responsible for a full refund of the registration fee only.

AAPA: AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 5.75 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurses: For the purpose of recertification, the American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. For the purpose of relicensure, the California Board of Registered Nursing accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (report up to 5.75 hours of credit and list "CME Category 1" as the provider number).

Pharmacists: The California Board of Pharmacy accepts as continuing education for pharmacists' coursework which meets the standard of relevance to pharmacy practice and is accepted as continuing education by the Medical Board of California. 

UC San Diego’s Commitment to Excellence and Value in Medical Education
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality educational experiences, while being mindful of our environmental and financial responsibilities. As a leader in medical education, we strive to balance excellence with fiscal stewardship, ensuring that our events are both informative and sustainable. Although this event may not be directly governed by university funding sources, we have made a conscious effort to adhere to the spirit of their guidelines and responsible spending, while delivering a high-quality experience for our attendees. We appreciate your participation and look forward to sharing knowledge and expertise with you.

Accommodations: We are committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to all individuals. For general information or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact [email protected] at your earliest convenience. All in-person events are wheelchair accessible.  Service animals specifically trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome. No other animals, including pets, therapy animals, or emotional support animals, are allowed.

Cultural & Linguistic Competency and Implicit Bias: Continuing medical education (CME) providers are required by state Assembly Bills 1195 and 241, and the standards created by the California Medical Association (CMA), to include components that address cultural and linguistic competency and implicit bias in CME activities. The planners and presenters of this activity has been asked to provide meaningful consideration of these standards in the selection and presentation of content.  Additional information and resources are available on the
UC San Diego CPD website.

Audio / Video Consent: This event may be audio and/or video recorded for future use or distribution. For virtual events, any engagement during the presentation (audio, video, chat, Q&A submission, etc.) will be captured and included. Participant microphones and cameras are generally disabled by default, and can always be manually disabled by participant. Depending on the type of event, publication of the recordings might be on a publicly available website or on an access-restricted site. By registering for this event, you give UC San Diego the right to use your name, voice, image, written text, or video footage without compensation and waive the right to inspect or approve any document in which these appear.

UC San Diego School of Medicine
T. Denny Sanford Medical Education and Telemedicine (MET) Center
Upper Auditorium & Learning Centers (141-145)
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093


Parking & Directions
To park in the South Parking Structure (type in “South Parking Structure” for GPS), you will need to purchase a Visitor Parking (V) permit.

Pay with the ParkMobile app by using the code '4752', or at your nearest onsite Pay Station Kiosk.

• Visitor (V) Parking Rates (ParkMobile zone 4752)

• Each hour: $2.25 (daily maximum $9) for Weekends

• License plate number required for payment
  
  UCSD Faculty and Staff

• Have access to either A or B permits, purchasing 1-Day permits via the UCSD Parking Portal (https://ucsd-transportation.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal) will be cheaper option than purchasing V permits.

• OR, Purchase B Permit on ParkMobile app (ParkMobile zone 47300) for $6.35 a day.  Faculty may purchase A Permit using ParkMobile zone 47200. You must be logged on to app using your standard UCSD email address to access these rates.

Directions: UC San Diego School of Medicine campus (La Jolla, California)
**Obtain directions to our facility on Google Maps and most GPS applications by using "UCSD Medical Education and Telemedicine Building" or "UCSD South Parking Structure" as a destination. Do NOT use 9500 Gilman which is the generic address for the campus.**

All persons in a position to control the content of accredited education must disclose all financial relationships held with ineligible companies, prior to assuming their role in the accredited activity. Those relationships deemed relevant to the education, are mitigated prior to the activity.

CME staff, meeting planners, peer reviewers, editorial staff, and CME committee reviewers, do not have any relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

The UC San Diego School of Medicine adheres to the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. 

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Susan J. Lee, MD
Professor of Medicine
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Co-Director, Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Brian Pedersen, MBBS
Associate Clinical Professor
UC San Diego Health
La Jolla, CA

Co-Director, Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Eaman Al-Hassan, MD
Staff Physician, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Tiffany Amariuta-Bartell, PhD
Assistant Professor
Halicioglu Data Science Institute and the Department of Medicine
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Katherine Benson, MD
Fellow, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
UC San Diego Health
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Gary S Firestein, MD
Distinguished Professor of Medicine
UC San Diego
San Diego, CA

Faculty

DoQuyen Huynh, MD
Associate HS Clinical Professor
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Kenneth Kalunian, MD
Professor of Medicine
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Arthur Kavanaugh, MD
Professor of Medicine
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Advisor-AbbVie (Any division) (Relationship has ended)|Advisor-Amgen, Inc.|Advisor-Bristol-Myers Squibb Company|Advisor-Janssen (Any division)|Advisor-Novartis Corporation Pharmaceuticals|Advisor-Pfizer (Any division)|Advisor-UCB

Gina Woods, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Faculty

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Contact Us
Registration Questions
UC San Diego School of Medicine
Continuing Professional Development 
9500 Gilman Drive, MC0947
La Jolla, CA 92093-0947
P: (858) 534-3940 / Toll-Free: (888) 229-6263
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: cpd.ucsd.edu

Conference Questions

Jennifer Fruehauf, Program Manager
Email: [email protected]

EXHIBITORS ARE WELCOME!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

UC San Diego Continuing Professional Development reserves the right to deny any application that does not meet this requirement. UC San Diego CPD will acknowledge exhibitor(s) support in course materials as permissible by the ACCME.

The exhibitor acknowledges that conducting marketing or promotional activities in any conference area except for their assigned exhibit space is prohibited. Commercial interests may not engage in sales, promotional activities, or distribute product-specific advertisements while in the designated location of the CPD activity. CPD activity space includes, but is not limited to, lecture halls, break out rooms, and laboratory areas.

UC San Diego Continuing Professional Development Exhibitor Policy

Exhibitors and UC San Diego Continuing Professional Development agree to abide by the ACCME Standard for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE and the UC Health Care Vendor Relations Policy. Any actions that are not in accordance with the above stated policies may result in the removal of the exhibit company and its representatives from the conference site, in which case no refund of exhibit fees will be allowed.


Preferred method of payment is credit card. No additional fees will be applied. 

If you must pay via check, ACH or bank transfer, please coordinate with meeting planner, Jennifer Fruehauf at [email protected]. Additional steps are required.

Payment Deadline & Late Fee Policy
Exhibitor payment is due in full before the start of the program. A $500 late fee will apply to any payments received after the program start date.

To avoid a late fee and ensure participation, proof of payment (such as a check copy, electronic payment confirmation, or remittance advice) must be submitted by the deadline.
Please note that exhibit placement and promotional benefits are not guaranteed until full payment and proof of payment are received.

Kindly provide a copy of your transfer details along with the processing date so we can accurately track and confirm your payment.

CANCELLATION POLICY: There are no refunds for cancellation of exhibit. 

Payment must be received prior to the event.

W-9 FORM

We welcome the support of this activity in the form of an educational grant. 

As a supporter, your company or organization will be acknowledged in the conference materials.   

Please read the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

For information about commercial support opportunities, please contact: [email protected]