The University of Kansas Medical Center and the Vasculitis Foundation Present:
2018 KU Vasculitis Educational Conference
(for patients and their family and friends)
KU Edwards Campus, Best Building, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas
August 4, 2018
Registration fee: $30/person
Click here to register.
Preliminary Schedule
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Check-in/Registration – Light Continental Breakfast and Networking
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Opening Comments
Jason Springer, MD, MS
Director, KUMC Vasculitis Clinic
KU Medical Center
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Update on the Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network (VPPRN)
Tanaz Kermani, MD, MS
Director, UCLA Vasculitis Center
The VPPRN is the international registry for patients to participate in research. Kalen Young, the VPPRN Network Manager, will review completed studies, provide an update on current efforts, and preview three upcoming research studies launching later this summer and fall.
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Vasculitis 101
Jason Springer, MD, MS
Vasculitis is a family of rare autoimmune diseases. Dr. Springer will provide an overview of the disease and discuss the similarities and differences in small, medium, and large vessel vasculitis. This session will provide a foundation of information for the rest of the day’s discussions.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one to attend)
Session #1: The Immune System
Selina Gierer, DO
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
KU Medical Center
Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that instead of a patient’s immune system protecting them, it attacks them. Dr. Gierer will discuss how patients with vasculitis can protect themselves against opportune infections while on drugs that suppress the immune system.
Session #2: Large Vessel Vasculitis: Giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and Polymyalgia rheumatica
Tanaz Kermani, MD, MS
Dr. Kermani, an expert in large vessel vasculitis, will lead this session for patients to address the special issues they face, including delayed diagnosis, lack of effective treatments, and permanent organ damage.
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sinonasal Manifestations of Vasculitis
David Beahm, MD
Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck
KU Medical Center
Dr. Beahm will address the many ongoing health challenges that patients with vasculitis have including recurrent sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and nasal obstruction. Dr. Beahm will discuss how patients can manage the permanent damage caused by the disease with nasal irrigation and surgery.
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Guest Speaker: Finding a New You
Suzanne DePaolis, VF Board Member
Suzanne DePaolis, VF Board Member, will discuss creating a new “normal” when diagnosed with a rare disease which has no cure or effective treatment. She will address the critical importance of assembling a team of medical experts, organizing treatments, and learning how to balance living with a chronic illness while juggling family, friends, and work.
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Bone Health
Rajib Bhattacharya, MD
Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Genetics
KU Medical Center
Patients with vasculitis are treated with high doses of steroids for extended lengths of time. Dr. Bhattacharya will discuss how patients can manage the many side effects of steroids including weight gain, mood swings, thin skin, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cataracts, and other endocrinological disorders.
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
In the Pipeline: What does the Future Hold?
Jason Springer, MD, MS
Dr. Springer will review the phase 2 & 3 clinical trials currently underway and the recent FDA approval of drugs for the treatment of vasculitis. He will discuss the results of recently completed international trials as well as other drugs being considered for treatment of vasculitis.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Closing Comments
This conference supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc.
