Spring 2010, Volume 20, Number 1 Focus on Canadian Rheumatology Abroad Editorial And the Gold Medal Goes To... Rheumatology Abroad • Rheumatologica Sinensis • The Sun is Shining: A Glimpse of Rheumatology in Jamaica • I Dreamed of Africa Northern (High)lights • An Interview with the 2010 Distinguished Rheumatologist: Dr. Martin Atkinson • Sitting Down with the CRA’s Clinician Educator Awardee: Dr. Alfred Cividino • Star on the Rise: Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, This Year’s Young Investigator Awardee In Memoriam • Michael Puttick, 1961-2010 2010 Winter Olympics • Vancouver Olympics 2010! • On the Ground Floor... Joint Communiqué • Vancouver Hosts Lupus 2010 • The 65th CRA Annual Meeting: Report • Biologics and the Approval Process • Rheumatology Education Day: IWK Health Centre Regional News • Rheumatology in Ottawa: Update • Calgary Coverage by a Cub Reporter Joint Count • Rheumatology Beyond Borders Hallway Consult • Lupus and the Brain Dr. Jacqueline Stewart carrying the Olympic Torch in Lillooet, B.C. The CRAJ is online! You can find us at: www.stacommunications.com/craj.html CRA EDITORIAL BOARD Mission Statement. The mission of the CRAJ is to encourage discourse among the Canadian rheumatology community for the exchange of opinions and information. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Glen Thomson, MD, FRCPC Sindhu Johnson, MD, FRCPC Janet Markland, MD, FRCPC Lori Tucker, MD Former President, Canadian Clinical Associate, Clinical Professor, Clinical Associate Professor in Rheumatology Association Division of Rheumatology Rheumatic Diseases Unit Pediatrics, Rheumatologist University Health Network- Royal University Hospital University of British Columbia Winnipeg, Manitoba Toronto Western Hospital Site Visiting Consultant, Vancouver, British Columbia Instructor, Saskatoon City Hospital MEMBERS: University of Toronto Medical Staff, St. Paul’s Hospital Barbara A. E. Walz, MD, Michel Gagné, MD, FRCPC Toronto, Ontario Clinical Professor, DABIM, FRCPC Polyclinique St-Eustache University of Saskatchewan Head, Division of Rheumatology, St-Eustache, Quebec Majed M. Khraishi, MD, FRCPC Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Credit Valley Hospital Medical Director, Mississauga, Ontario James Henderson, MD, FRCPC Nexus Clinical Research Éric Rich, MD, FRCPC President, Canadian Clinical Professor of Assistant Professor, Michel Zummer, MD, FRCPC Rheumatology Association Rheumatology, Director, Rheumatology Associate Professor, Chief, Internal Medicine, Memorial University Program Université de Montréal Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital St. John’s, Newfoundland Université de Montréal Chief, Division of Teacher, Dalhousie University Rheumatologist, Rheumatology, Fredericton, New Brunswick Gunnar R. Kraag, MD, FRCPC Hôpital Notre-Dame du CHUM Hôpital Maisonneuve- Chief Captioneer Montreal, Quebec Rosemont Joanne Homik, MD, MSc, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec FRCPC University of Ottawa John Thomson, MD, FRCPC Associate Professor of Division of Rheumatology, Past President, Canadian Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Rheumatology Association Director, Division of Past President, Canadian Assistant Professor, Rheumatology Rheumatology Association Department of Medicine, University of Alberta Ottawa, Ontario Division of Rheumatology, Edmonton, Alberta University of Ottawa Diane Lacaille, MD, FRCPC Staff, The Ottawa Hospital Associate Professor of Ottawa, Ontario Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia The editorial board has complete independence in reviewing the articles appearing in this publication and is responsible for their accuracy. The advertisers exert no influence on the selection or the content of material published. PUBLISHING STAFF Paul F. Brand Katherine Ellis Donna Graham Jennifer Brennan Executive Editor Editor Production Manager Financial Services Russell Krackovitch Catherine de Grandmont Dan Oldfield Robert E. Passaretti Editorial Director, Editor-proofreader, French Design Director Publisher Custom Division Copyright©2010 STA HealthCare Communications Inc. All rights reserved. THE JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION is published by STA Communications Inc. in Pointe Claire, Quebec. None of the contents of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published every three months. Publication Mail Registration No. 40063348. Postage paid at Saint-Laurent, Quebec. Date of Publication: April 2010. THE JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION selects authors who are knowledgeable in their fields. THE JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION does not guarantee the expertise of any author in a particular field, nor is it responsible for any statements by such authors. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of STA Communications or the Canadian Rheumatology Association. Physicians should take into account the patient’s individual condition and consult officially approved product monographs before making any diagnosis or treatment, or following any procedure based on suggestions made in this document. Please address requests for subscriptions and correspondence to: THE JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION, 955 Boul. St. Jean, Suite 306, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, H9R 5K3. EDITORIAL And the Gold Medal Goes To …. By Glen Thomson, MD, FRCPC pring is welcomed by all who survive a Canadian win- at the tiller. He has ter. However, this year’s distractions seemed to make piloted the CRA smoo - Sthe season more pleasant. In addition to Dr. Alf thly through some un - Cividino’s (Chair of the Scientific Committee) record setting charted waters with Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) Annual Meeting the acquisition of The in Quebec City, there was another important event: the 2010 Journal of Rheuma tology. Vancouver Winter Olympics. Dr. Jackie Stewart from Despite the major Penticton, B.C. is featured on the cover as she carries the worldwide financial torch in Lillooet, B.C. However, the gold medal for mael strom, the CRA endurance should be awarded to the people of Vancouver, as has emerged with a reported by Drs. Jason Kur and John Kelsall. solid fiscal balance. Dr. Just as the people of B.C. welcomed the world (and with Dr. Jamie Hen derson, the John Esdaile’s help will welcome it again for Lupus Congress new CRA president, 2010 in June), Canadians do seem to thrive on interacting and Vice President Dr. globally. The major theme for this issue, “Canadian Carter Thorne begin Rheumatology Abroad” tells the stories of CRA members tak- their term with finan - ing their skills and sharing their expertise internationally. Dr. ces and operations The hand off. Desirée Tulloch-Reid, who trained at the University of running smoothly. Toronto, returned to Jamaica and was just the second The CRA says farewell to another hero, Mike Puttick, who rheumatologist on her arrival home. The “three amigos” (Drs. courageously battled cancer for many years. Mike was seen Barry Koehler, Ian Tsang and Simon Huang) travelled to frequently at the CRA annual meetings before and after diag- China and Dr. Paul Davis journeyed to East Africa, each nosis. He contributed to a number of meetings including a imparting their knowledge at their respective destinations. memorable dissertation at the National Journal Club where The Joint Count in this issue suggests that CRA members he had the audacity to state the truth debunking the hype of want the opportunity for more international interactions. a then popular therapy which lacked valid evidence. The The joint CRA/Mexican College of Rheumatology (MCR) shock waves reverberated for years; Mike will be surely missed. Congress, taking place from February 10 to 15, 2011, in Congratulations to the distinguished CRA award recipients Cancun, Mexico, will help to fulfill that need. Dr. John who “owned the podium” at the national awards dinner— Thomson has been our fearless leader in making this latest their interviews are in the Northern Highlights section. The CRA/MCR event a reality. Unfortunately, the recent meet- distinguished investigator Dr. Earl Silverman will be featured ing in Quebec marks the end of Dr. Thomson’s steady hand in an interview in the upcoming issue. The photo contest winning entries adorn the back page. Many thanks to the other photographers whose efforts deserve more than silvers and bronzes, but our heartfelt appreciation must suffice. Participation in the Journal of the Canadian Rheuma tology Association (CRAJ) is always encouraged. If you have some extreme summer vacation plans let us know for our next issue’s theme “Rheumatholiday.” However, if you are too busy to get away, tell us your best office disaster story for the autumn edition. We don’t have medals, but a CRAJ backpack is no less coveted. Finally, thanks to all those who made this issue and all the CRA activities golden. Glen Thomson, MD, FRCPC The Cancun Committee. Editor, CRAJ Winnipeg, Manitoba Click here to comment on this article CRAJ 2010 • Volume 20, Number 1 3 RHEUMATOLOGYSPECIAL SECTION: ABROAD H1N1 FLU UPDATE Rheumatologica Sinensis By Barry Koehler, MD, FRCPC hat to do while whiling away a hot summer in sampled egg fu yung in Fu Yung county itself! The views Vancouver? Well, what better thing than to go from our room in Phoenix City (Fenghuang or Phoenix Wsomewhere hotter! Dr. Ian Tsang and his wife Old City) was outstanding as we