The organization is also considering extending the meeting to a second half-day, but is working out the additional logistics of doing so.
Not Just a Vegas Group
The board of RAN, which also serves as the planning committee for the annual meeting, continues to grow and now comprises 10 members. Dr. Kelly says the board is also planning an educational dinner in November for interested rheumatologists to gather in a journal club format.
His advice for others looking to build a state rheumatology society? “Get as many people involved as possible,” he says. “Try to build a brand and a predictable, repeatable presence.”
Although Dr. Kelly will join the ranks of past RAN presidents after the April 2020 meeting, passing the torch to current Vice President Susan Knowles, MD, FACP, FACR, he hopes to see the annual meeting eventually double in size. And he’s excited to see Dr. Knowles become president, he says.
“Susan’s from up north. We want to make sure it’s not just a Las Vegas association. It’s been important to us from the onset that we would not just be a Las Vegas group.”
Kelly April Tyrrell writes about health, science and health policy. She lives in Madison, Wis.
