September 5, 2023



President's Message 

Dear PRS Members, Supporters, and Sponsors,

Over the past few months PRS has been busily preparing for the 10^th Annual Scientific Meeting, coming up from Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1st. This is our signature event - the one time every year when rheumatologists from across Pennsylvania gather to reconnect, revitalize, and to acquire new knowledge. Once again, we will host a number of excellent speakers for our Annual Scientific Meeting CME sessions. It’s time to meet new colleagues, catch up with old ones, and share our professional triumphs and challenges for both seasoned rheumatologists and trainees.

I am looking forward to all of these things, and especially in this year’s lovely setting at the Kalahari Resort venue - Fall in the Poconos. If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you will soon. New to this year’s meeting is an educational program followed by a family-friendly Welcome Event on Friday afternoon!

It is also time for me to reflect on my tenure as PRS President. Through the most difficult days of the Covid pandemic, our members remained steady supporters, and our heartfelt thanks go out to you for your continued support. PRS has remained true to our mission of advancing and disseminating the knowledge of rheumatology. Our new Summer Learning Series received high marks for outstanding speakers and quality content. Case reports by fellows and residents have been evaluated by judges for the Thieves’ Market. Selection for oral presenters were announced at the end of August. We're looking forward to another great year of the competition. Scholarships continued to be offered to fellows for travel to the next ACR meeting. We have been careful stewards of the financial resources with which we have been trusted. In every way, this has been a team effort, and I thank my fellow Advisory Council members, the PRS membership and the PRS staff. A special shout-out to Annmarie Whalen and Janelle Witters for their remarkable resourcefulness, expertise, and hard work in guiding me and all the Council members navigating through much uncertainty in these past 2 years. I am grateful for your commitment and all of your advice. Lastly, I would like to thank our sponsors and Corporate Partners for their continued support.

I have full confidence that PRS’s good work will continue!

Be well,

Irene J Tan, MD, FACR

September means...the PRS Annual Scientific Meeting!

The ASM is all about balancing work and downtime:  Be sure to plan to arrive in the Poconos on Friday, September 29 for our first ever sponsored half-day, followed by our very first Welcome Gathering!

The Welcome Gathering is designed as a family-friendly event - bring the whole family and join us for an evening of food, drinks, and socializing. We hope to see you there! 

For registration: Registration and Information

Please be advised that the PRS Annual Business Meeting will be held Saturday September 20 at 1 pm, in the PRS function room at the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA

Fall Back into Legislative Action !

Michael Borofsky, MD, PRS Advocacy Chair

Deborah Ann Shoemaker, PRS lobbyist

Summer is almost over, with fall just around the corner. September brings a flurry of activity at the federal, state and local level.

Our partners at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO) keep us abreast of federal congressional grassroots advocacy priorities and areas of focus under the jurisdiction of the Biden Administration. This summer, ACR and CSRO have focused their efforts on Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform, support of proposed Co-Payment Accumulator legislation (HELP Co-Pays Act), and for additional funding for healthcare workforce reform (just to name a few).

Pennsylvania has been embroiled in a battle over the enactment of the 2023-2024 state budget. Governor Shapiro’s first state budget address was full of promise- including hopes that negotiations would be fast, easy AND ON TIME. However, with a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and a Republican-controlled Senate, smooth sailing was not in the cards this time.

Pennsylvania’s constitution requires an enacted state budget by June 30^th. Senate leadership dug their heels in on one specific issue- school vouchers. Negotiations between House and Senate leaders broke down. Then, constituent pressure forced the Senate into meeting in August. Governor Shapiro enacted a bare-bones budget in early August (House Bill 611- now Act 1A of 2023) to allow essential services to continue without interruption. When the state legislature returns in mid-September, their primary area of focus is to pass fiscal code bills to fund the entire state budget.

With an uncertain fall state legislative agenda, this is a perfect time for us to “fall back into legislative action.” While we wait for our issues to see the light of day, members can take time to check out the advocacy section of our website. Join our advocacy committee! We cannot wait for you to join us as we advocate for your colleagues and your patients.

News and Information from our Corporate Partners:

Jannsen Immunology

Learn how copay diversion programs such as Accumulators and Maximizers in employer-sponsored health plans place a disproportionate burden on historically marginalized communities: Janssen Health Equity Policy Brief

Thank you to our 2023-2024 Corporate Partners!