2026 International Vasculitis Symposium

July 17–19, 2026 | Denver, Colorado

A global gathering for education, connection, and hope.

Join patients, families, caregivers, physicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world for an unforgettable weekend of learning, support, and community at the 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium.

This in-person event brings the vasculitis community together to share the latest research, practical tools for daily living, and meaningful opportunities to connect with others who truly understand life with vasculitis.

The 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium Begins in...

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What You'll Experience

Over three inspiring days, attendees will participate in educational programming and interactive learning designed to support the full vasculitis journey.

Expert-Led General Sessions
Hear directly from leading vasculitis specialists as they share the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment, and research.

Interactive Breakout Sessions
Engage in smaller group discussions focused on specific types of vasculitis, lived experience, and specialized topics — with extended Q&A.

Community Connection & Peer Support
Build meaningful relationships with fellow patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates in a welcoming and supportive environment. Past attendees consistently describe the International Vasculitis Symposium as inspiring, empowering, and deeply affirming.

“What a wonderful lineup of speakers. It was really fresh and usable information. So incredible to ask doctors questions right there!”

“Before the symposium, I thought I knew everything about my illness. Boy, was I wrong. I have pages and pages of notes containing new information about my illness.”

“Thank you, VF, for existing! I was very scared and lost when I was diagnosed. I really enjoyed this symposium as I found people with my disease living near me. I have been very emotional since and I think it’s a sense of being understood and being validated from what I am feeling.”

“Very nice to meet the faces behind the research and to see how committed they are to finding solutions.”

“As usual, the Symposium was outstanding!! I learned a great deal, ate well, and reconnected with my fellow vasculitis patients. Thank you VERY MUCH to the terrific VF staff!! This was a job well done!!”

Education Tracks Designed for Every Vasculitis Journey

We recognize that every person’s experience with vasculitis is unique. Your diagnosis, type of vasculitis, and where you are in your journey all influence the education, resources, and support you may need. To better serve our community, the 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium offers dedicated education tracks designed to meet you where you are.

Newly Diagnosed

This track is designed for individuals who are newly diagnosed with vasculitis, as well as those who are adjusting to life with a chronic illness. These sessions focus on building a strong foundation of knowledge, confidence, and support.

Topics may include understanding vasculitis, developing coping strategies and mindset, managing treatments and side effects, exercise and physical health, and building your medical team and personal support network.

Experienced Patients

This track is designed for individuals who have been living with vasculitis for several years and self-identify as experienced patients. These sessions focus on the evolving challenges of long-term disease management and living well with vasculitis over time.

Topics may include flare management, ongoing mental and physical health, effective communication with your healthcare team, navigating treatment changes, self-advocacy, and maintaining strong support networks with family, friends, and peers.

Parents/Guardians and Their Pediatric & Teenage Patients

This track is designed for children, teens, and their parents or guardians. Sessions will focus on the unique medical, emotional, and practical challenges of living with vasculitis at a young age and supporting the whole family.

Topics may include an overview of childhood vasculitis, managing disease activity, flares, and side effects, understanding medications, navigating school and self-advocacy, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and managing friendships and family relationships.

Pediatric vasculitis patients are permitted to attend Symposium sessions. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any patient age 15 or younger unless otherwise indicated on the schedule. Children may attend scheduled meals but must be registered and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Young Adult/Emerging Adult Cohort (Ages 18–30)

This dedicated track is designed to address the unique needs of young adults living with vasculitis. These sessions focus on navigating important life transitions while managing a chronic condition.

Topics may include personal relationships, career development, reproductive health, and maintaining both mental and physical well-being. In addition, a dedicated meeting room will be available for this group to relax, connect, and network with peers throughout the Symposium.

Caring for the Caregivers

Vasculitis doesn’t just affect the patient—it also deeply impacts family members, partners, and others who provide care and support.

This track is designed specifically for caregivers and will explore common challenges, emotional and practical demands, and shared experiences.

Sessions will also help caregivers recognize signs of stress and burnout, and offer strategies for self-care, resilience, and sustaining well-being while supporting a loved one.

New for 2026: Wellness Lounge

The 2026 Symposium introduces a dedicated Wellness Lounge designed to support rest, connection, and whole-person care throughout the conference.

In the Wellness Lounge, attendees can:

Relax and recharge between sessions
Connect informally with peers and community members
Enjoy a calm, supportive environment

This space reflects our commitment to physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Mental Health Partnership: Give An Hour

We’re proud to partner with Give An Hour (GHA) to expand mental health and wellness programming at the 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium.

Give An Hour envisions a society where every individual has the knowledge, resources, and support needed to take charge of their mental health.

Through this partnership, we will promote self-awareness, self-care, and self-advocacy—empowering individuals to make informed decisions and actively participate in their mental well-being. Together, we’re committed to expanding access to mental health resources and ensuring that our community has the opportunity to live mentally healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives.

Registration:

Cost: $300
A limited number of scholarships are available to help offset registration and travel expenses for those who may otherwise be unable to attend.

Commit to fundraising for the Vasculitis Foundation through GiveSmart and reach specific fundraising goals to have your registration and/or hotel costs covered by VF. Learn more by visiting the “Scholarships & Financial Assistance“ tab.

Includes:

Educational sessions and materials
Meals and refreshment breaks throughout the weekend
Exhibit hall access
2026 VF Symposium t-shirt

Registration closes Friday, July 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT.

Event Details

Event: 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium

Dates: July 17–19, 2026

Location: Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center at 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, CO 80237

Format: In-person vasculitis education conference

Schedule Highlights

Friday: Optional lunch and afternoon educational sessions

Saturday: Full day of sessions, exhibits, and evening banquet

Sunday: Educational sessions conclude by noon

What Your Registration Includes

Admission to all educational sessions and breakout sessions
Educational materials and handouts
Meals and refreshment breaks throughout the weekend (Friday: lunch, afternoon refreshments, dinner, Saturday: breakfast, morning and afternoon refreshments, lunch, banquet dinner, Sunday: breakfast, morning refreshments)
Access to the exhibit hall
Official VF Symposium 2026 T-shirt

Agenda & Speakers

Explore the evolving program for the leading international vasculitis conference in Denver.

The 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium features a dynamic educational program designed to deliver the latest advances in vasculitis research, treatment, and patient care — while fostering meaningful dialogue between patients, caregivers, and medical professionals.

This page will be updated regularly as session topics, speakers, and detailed schedules are confirmed. We encourage you to check back often for the latest program updates.

What You’ll Learn

Sessions will address the most important topics affecting people living with vasculitis today, including:

Advances in vasculitis diagnosis and treatment
Disease management and flare prevention
Mental health, wellness, and resilience
Patient self-advocacy and navigating care
Research updates and emerging therapies
Living well with chronic illness

This programming supports both newly diagnosed and long-term patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Session Formats

General Sessions
Plenary presentations led by nationally and internationally recognized vasculitis experts.

Breakout Sessions
Smaller group sessions focused on disease-specific topics, lived experience, and specialized areas of care — with extended time for discussion and Q&A.

Individual Disease Sessions
Opportunities for patients diagnosed with the same types of vasculitis to gather in smaller groups for education, peer connection, and direct engagement with medical experts.

Panels & Interactive Discussions
Facilitated conversations that encourage collaboration between patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians.

Schedule

This agenda will continue to evolve as we finalize speakers and session details. Updates will be posted regularly leading up to the event.

Friday, July 17, 2026

8:00 AM – 7:30 PM	Packet Pickup and Information Desk Open Atrium
11:00 – 11:30 AM	How to Symposium! A Guide for First-Time Attendees Jenn Gordon, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator, VPPRN Grand Mesa Ballroom
12:00 – 8:00 PM	Wellness Lounge Open Mesa Verde B (first floor)
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch Buffet Grand Mesa Ballroom
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.	General Session Welcome and Introductions Joyce A. Kullman, Executive Director, Vasculitis Foundation A Message from our Presenting Sponsor, Amgen Zachary Renfro-Wallace, MD, Medical Affairs, Rare Disease, Amgen Pushing Past “I’m Fine.” The Emotional Journey of Chronic Illness Julie Wells, Give an Hour Keynote Speaker Caleb Lounsbery, Living with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA/Wegener’s) Vasculitis: Why Are We Here Today? Anisha B. Dua, MD, Northwestern University Grand Mesa Ballroom
2:15 – 3:00 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. Vasculitis 101 for Newly Diagnosed Patients & Their Families Spotlight: Dan Bleicher, Patient Advocate Anisha B. Dua, MD, Northwestern University Brian D. Jaros, MD, Northwestern University Highlands Theater When Your Numbers and Symptoms Don’t Line Up: Long-Term Living with Vasculitis Kevin W. Byram, MD, Vanderbilt University Patient Panel: Art Diaz, Grace Eisen, Cindy Todd Grand Mesa Ballroom A Parents’ Guide to Vasculitis: Overview of Childhood Vasculitis; Managing Symptoms, Flares, and Side Effects (session for the parents) Vidya Sivaraman, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Wind River A
3:00 – 3:15 PM	Afternoon Break Atrium
3:15 – 4:15 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent individual disease sessions. Choose one to attend. Deep Dive into Individual Diseases: Overview, What’s New, Q&A Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) Sharon A. Chung, MD, MAS, University of California, San Francisco Vimal Derebail, MD, MPH, University of North Carolina Lynn Fussner, MD, The Ohio State University Robert G. Micheletti, MD, University of Pennsylvania Brent A. Senior, MD, FACS, FARS, University of North Carolina Grand Mesa Ballroom Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) Spotlight: Mitch Horowitz, Patient Advocate Kathy McKinnon, DO, Medical University of South Carolina Patrick Taus, MD, PhD, University of North Carolina Chasm Creek A Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) Spotlight: Autumn Righino, Patient Advocate Ulrich Specks, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Highlands Theater Rarest of the Rare Orphan Vasculitides Alex Villa-Forte, MD, MPH, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care & Research Mesa Verde C Giant Cell Arteritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Takayasus Arteritis Jason Springer, MD, Vanderbilt University Divi Cornec, MD, Brest University, France Chasm Creek B For Kids & Teenagers: What the Heck is Childhood Vasculitis? Vidya Sivaraman, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Wind River A
4:30 – 5:15 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. How to be a Patient Patient Stacey Ivits, MSW, RSW, and Jessica Lopez Ricard, MPA, Patient Advocates Highlands Theater Care Partners: Building and Maintaining Your Support Network Dana DeMoulin, LCSW, Virtual Support Group Facilitator Chasm Creek A Schooling Parents on Education Support (504s, IEPs) Carrie Brumbaugh, BSN, RN, CPN, Children’s Hospital Colorado Wind River A Tavneos® (avacopan) Special Session: What We Know Currently Kevin W. Byram, MD, Vanderbilt Vasculitis Center Alex Villa-Forte, MD, MPH, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research Grand Mesa Ballroom
5:15 – 5:45 PM	Exercise and Physical Health: Victory Over Vasculitis (VOV) Art Diaz and Kathy Olevsky, VOV Ambassadors Wellness Lounge Navigating School, Workplace, and Relationships for Young Adults Sarah Waite-Ardini, MA, VF Facilitator Annie Reynolds, Jessica Kent, Katherine Scott, Patient Advocates Windstar B
5:30 – 6:30 PM	Amgen Special Reception (invitation only) Atrium
6:30 – 8:00 PM	Dinner Buffet Grand Mesa Ballroom Young Adult Cohort Dinner w/Group Discussion Communicating With Your Doctor Discussion for Young Adults Ashley Keaton, Give an Hour, Facilitator; Kelsey (Keys) Helland, Jessica Kent, Caleb Lounsbery, Annie Reynolds, Katherine Scott, Patient Advocates Chasm Creek A

Saturday, July 18, 2026

7:00 AM – 6:00 PM	Packet Pickup and Information Desk Open Atrium
12:00 – 8:00 PM	Wellness Lounge Open Mesa Verde B (first floor)
7:00 – 8:00 AM	Breakfast Buffet Grand Mesa Ballroom
8:00 – 9:00 AM	General Session Welcome and Introductions Joyce A. Kullman, Executive Director, Vasculitis Foundation Control What You Can: How You Talk & Care for Yourself Julie Wells, Give an Hour Keynote Speaker Jessica Lopez Ricard, MPA, Patient Advocate Moving More: A Step to Better Health! Jim Walter, PhD, Founder, President, Institute for the Preservation of Health Grand Mesa Ballroom
9:00 – 9:45 AM	Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network (VPPRN) Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, University of PennsylvaniaGrand Mesa Ballroom
9:45 – 10:00 AM	Morning Break Atrium
10:00 – 10:30 AM	When Pain Persists Justin Roh, MD, University of Pennsylvania LOCATION TBA
10:30 – 11:00 AM	When Chronic Fatigue Won’t Rest Kathy McKinnon, DO, Medical University of South Carolina LOCATION TBA
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. Advocating for Change Jenifer Waldrop, Rare Disease Diversity Coalition Kimberly Fisher and Caleb Lounsbery, Patient Advocates Chasm Creek A Emotional Resilience for Care Partners Julie Wells, Give an Hour and Dana DeMoulin, LCSW, VF Support Groups LOCATION TBA Pain & Fatigue Q&A Session Kathy McKinnon, DO, Medical University of South Carolina Justin Roh, MD, University of Pennsylvania David Badenoch, Patient Advocate Antwain Robinson, Patient Advocate Grand Mesa Ballroom Pediatric/Teen Lung & Kidney Involvement Shipra Rai, MD, MPH, Melisha Hanna, MD, Children’s Hospital Colorado Wind River A
12:00 – 1:15 PM	Lunch Buffet with Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network (VPPRN) Peter A. Merkel, MD, and Jenn Gordon, PhD Grand Mesa Ballroom
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. Navigating Your Vasculitis Journey Course Introduction Stacey Ivits, LCSW, and Irene Tipton, Patient Advocates LOCATION TBA Vasculitis and Lung Involvement Lynn Fussner, MD, The Ohio State University Ulrich Specks, MD, Mayo Clinic – Rochester LOCATION TBA Vasculitis and Skin Involvement Robert G. Micheletti, MD, University of Pennsylvania LOCATION TBA Pediatric Transition to Adult Care Samuel Lazaroff, MD, Children’s Hospital Colorado Annie Reynolds, Patient Advocate Wind Star A
2:30 – 3:15 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. Ear, Nose, and Throat Involvement in Vasculitis Brent Senior, MD, University of North Carolina Highlands Theater Communicating with Your Doctor During Tough Times Tanaz A. Kermani, MD, University of California, Santa Barbara Kelsey (Keys) Helland, Patient Advocate Katherine Scott, Patient Advocate LOCATION TBA Nerve Pain and Vasculitis Justin Roh, MD, University of Pennsylvania LOCATION TBA Protecting Yourself from Long-Term Side Effects of Steroids Florian Kas, MD, University of Pennsylvania Yuan Qi, MD, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada Jason Springer, MD, Vanderbilt Vasculitis Center LOCATION TBA Child Life Session Jen Liska, CCSL, Children’s Hospital Colorado Vidya Sivaraman, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Wind Star A
3:30 – 4:15 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. How Your Brain Impacts Your Body Ashley Keaton, Give an Hour LOCATION TBA Medication Overview for Parents Ingrid Pan, PharmD, Children’s Hospital Colorado Wind Star A Relapse, Reset After a Flare Sharon A. Chung, MD, MAS, University of California, San Francisco Tanaz Kermani, MD, University of California, Santa Barbara Jenn Gordon, PhD, VPPRN Principal Investigator Julie Wells, Give an Hour LOCATION TBA Women’s Health Through the Life Stages Cassy A. Sims, MD, Duke University LOCATION TBA
4:30 – 5:15 PM	Breakout Session Concurrent sessions. Choose one to attend. Vasculitis and Kidney Involvement Vimal Derebail, MD, MPH, and Patrick Taus, MD, University of North Carolina LOCATION TBA Parents as Caregivers Allison Dempsey, PhD, Children’s Hospital Colorado LOCATION TBA Medication Compliance Discussion with the Teens (17 and under) Ingrid Pan, PharmD, Children’s Hospital Colorado Wind Star A
6:30 – 8:30 PM	40th Anniversary Celebration & Family Feud Game Grand Mesa Ballroom

Sunday, July 19, 2026

7:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Information Desk Open Atrium
7:00 – 8:00 AM	Breakfast Buffet Grand Mesa Ballroom Pediatric & Teenagers & Parents/Guardians Group Breakfast Hosted by Jessica Bloom, MD Grand Mesa Ballroom
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Wellness Lounge Open Mesa Verde B (first floor)
8:00 – 8:30 AM	General Session Welcome and Introductions Keynote Speaker Antwain Robinson, Patient Advocate Introducing Vasculitis Project Echo and 101 Hub Alex Villa-Forte, MD, MPH, Cleveland Clinic Center for Vasculitis Care and Research Grand Mesa Ballroom
8:30 – 9:00 AM	Introducing Our 2025-2026 Young Investigators Kevin W. Byram, MD, Vanderbilt Vasculitis Center Florian Kas, MD, University of Pennsylvania Yuan Qi, MD, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada Patrick Taus, MD, University of North Carolina Grand Mesa Ballroom
9:00 – 9:30 AM	New Directions for Genetics Research Sharon A. Chung, MD, MAS, University of California, San Francisco Grand Mesa Ballroom
9:45 – 10:00 AM	Building On Your Momentum Julie Wells, Give an Hour Grand Mesa Ballroom
10:00 – 10:45 AM	International Vasculitis Workshop 2026 Report Vimal Derebail, MD, MPH, University of North Carolina Lynn Fussner, MD, The Ohio State University Kevin W. Byram, MD, Vanderbilt University Divi Cornec, MD, PhD, Brest University, France Grand Mesa Ballroom
10:45 – 11:15 AM	CAR T Cell/Molecule Therapies Divi Cornec, MD, PhD, Brest University, France Ulrich Specks, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Grand Mesa Ballroom
11:15 – 11:45 AM	The Future is Bright: What’s Coming Next Peter A. Merkel, MD, MPH, University of Pennsylvania Grand Mesa Ballroom
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM	Wrap-Up and Goodbye Emily Sybrant, Chief Development Officer Grand Mesa Ballroom
12:30 PM	Airport Shuttle Departs Hotel Lobby

Speakers

Casual outdoor portrait of a smiling man with glasses and a gray beard wearing a baseball cap, white sweatshirt, and wireless earbuds, posed against a softly blurred gray background.

David Badenoch

Patient Advocate

Living with EGPA/Churg Strauss Syndrome

Goal Amount	What’s Covered
$300	One comped registration Includes: Friday lunch, afternoon break, dinner; Saturday, breakfast, lunch, banquet, morning and afternoon breaks; Sunday breakfast and morning break), educational materials, handouts, admittance to educational sessions, exhibit area, and VF Symposium 2026 t-shirt)
$750	One comped registration + one hotel room reservation (Friday/Saturday nights)
$600	Two comped registrations
$1,050	Two comped registrations + one hotel room reservation (Friday/Saturday nights)

Goal Amount	What’s Covered
$500	One registration fee includes: Friday lunch, afternoon break, dinner; Saturday, breakfast, lunch, banquet, morning and afternoon breaks; Sunday breakfast and morning break), educational materials, handouts, admittance to educational sessions, exhibit area, and VF Symposium 2026 t-shirt)
$1,000	Two registration fees OR One registration + hotel room reservation (Friday/Saturday nights)
$1,500	Two registration fees + shared hotel room reservation (Friday/Saturday nights)

Quick Links

Symposium

2026 International Vasculitis Symposium

July 17–19, 2026 | Denver, Colorado

A global gathering for education, connection, and hope.

The 2026 International Vasculitis Symposium Begins in...

What You'll Experience

Education Tracks Designed for Every Vasculitis Journey

New for 2026: Wellness Lounge

Mental Health Partnership: Give An Hour

Registration:

Event Details

Schedule Highlights

What Your Registration Includes

Agenda & Speakers

Explore the evolving program for the leading international vasculitis conference in Denver.

What You’ll Learn

Session Formats

Schedule

Speakers

David Badenoch

Patient Advocate

Jessica Bloom

MD, MSCS

Carrie Brumbaugh

BSN, RN, CPN

Kevin Byram

MD

Sharon Chung

MD

Divi Cornec

MD, PhD

Dana DeMoulin

Patient Advocate

Allison Dempsey

PhD, PMH-C

Virmal Derebail

MD

Art Diaz

Patient Advocate

Anisha Dua

MD, MPH

Kimberly Fisher

Patient Advocate

Lynn Fussner

MD

Jennnifer Gordon

PhD, Patient Advocate

Melisha Hanna

MD, MS

Kelsey Helland

Patient Advocate

Mitch Horowitz

Patient Advocate

Stacey Ivits

MSW, RSW, Patient Advocate

Brian Jaros

MD

Florian Kas

MD

Ashley Keaton

Program Manager

Jessica Kent

MBA, Patient Advocate

Tanaz Kermani

MD

Samuel Lazaroff

MD

Caleb Lounsbery

Patient Advocate

Kathy McKinnon

DO

Peter Merkel

MD, MPH

Robert Micheletti

MD

Kathy Olevsky

Patient Advocate

Ingrid Pan

PharmaD, BCPPS