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Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Renew Your Membership Today!
It's time to renew your membership for the 2009-2010 membership year. You can renew on-line or download a printable membership application.

Membership dues will increase to $40.00 effective November 1, 2009 so hurry and join now at the current rate of $30 while you still can!

Please know your Board of Directors is working hard on your behalf.

Thank you again for your support.
Board of Directors SPAR

SPAR at ACR
SPAR is planning on a floor exhibit in Philadelphia on the 19th and 20th of October, 2009. Please stop by and meet your fellow rheumatology PAs. If you have not joined please fill out an application. Talk with your fellow rheumatology PAs. Find out the latest salary data, employer benefits, where we practice and what we do for procedures.

See you in Philadelphia!

The Association of Family Practice PAs and SPAR co-hosted an exhibit table at the San Diego Convention Center during the AAPA annual conference.

SPAR had two successful events:

SPAR CME/Reception held Sunday, May 24th, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
SPAR Business meeting held Tuesday, May 26th, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Many PAs from our specialty came by to look over our salary data, read our Newsletter and just discuss our commonality in rheumatology. We are planning to be at the ACR in Philadelphia this fall so mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information!

Salary Data
The 2008 Census report for rheumatology PAs has been drafted. Find out what rheumatology PAs are making for salary, if they are taking call, and what kind of procedures they are doing.

Compare salaries to Internal Medicine PAs across the country. Compare the mean with the Standard deviation and find out the range of salaries from the national AAPA census.

What is the mean age and the sex of practicing PAs in rheumatology? For the specifics, please go to the Professional Practice tab for this informative report.

This year SPAR will be partnering with the Association of Family Physician Assistants (AFPPA) at AAPA’s 37th Annual Conference, May 23rd to 28th in San Diego, California. Make sure to stop by the exhibit booth! Whether you are a Rheumatology PA looking to join SPAR, a former member looking to renew your membership, or a current member looking to mingle with others, come and visit your colleagues between lectures. Also, if you have some time to spare, we would love for you to help us out by staffing the booth and spreading the word about Rheumatology PAs.

Please join us for a CME/Reception where you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow Rheumatology PAs and find out what they are doing in their practices. Stay tuned for topics to be discussed.

SPAR CME/Reception, Sunday, May 24th, 7:30pm - 9:00pm (Location to be announced)

SPAR Business meeting, Tuesday, May 26th, 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, Oceanside

All SPAR members and those PAs who practice in rheumatology are invited. Soft drinks will be served.

Come and find out what is happening in your field!

If you have any questions about the events planned, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at (866) 980-2272 or by e-mail: spar@aapa.org. We look forward to seeing all of you!

Chatham Institute Web Site Information

Chatham Institute's Web site provides free CME and it is a source of valuable information on RA Osteoporosis and women's health. The Chatham Institute is funded by several biotech firms in its area.

New Web-Based CME Program for PAs

The National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics has officially launched its new Web-based continuing medical education program, Genetics in the Physician Assistant's Practice. The program features a genetics primer, family history exercises, information on genetic tests and links to genetics tools and other resources. The centerpiece of the program is three case studies that allow the learner to participate in the work-up of patients with realistic, common genetic disorders. The cases were designed by PAs for PAs. Up to three hours of continuing medical education are available to PAs upon completing the post-tests. Visit the CME program at pa.nchpeg.org.

Upcoming CME Conferences
April 2009	May 2009	June 2009

Current Issues in Rheumatic Diseases Workshops

April 7, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 414 Glenwood Avenue Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27603. Tel: 609-371-1137 -Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 14, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1600 W. Second Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, Tel: 609-371-1137 -Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 16, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Sofitel Los Angeles, 8555 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Tel: 609-371-1137 -Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 18, 2009 (Saturday) 8:30-11:30 am - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48243. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 22, 2009 (Wednesday) 6-9 pm- “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 23, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, The W Hotel, 541 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 23, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1001 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77002. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 25, 2009 (Saturday) 8:30-11:30 am - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Renaissance St. Louis Grand & Suites Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63101. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 28, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 1700 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

April 30, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30305. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 5, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 6, 2009 (Wednesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, The Iron Horse Hotel, 500 West Florida Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 12, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 380 K Street @ 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 20, 2009 (Wednesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville, IL 60563. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 21, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Morton’s The Steakhouse, One Exeter Plaza, 699 Boylston at Exeter, Boston, MA 02116. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

May 28, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1200 Brickell Avenue, Miami FL 33131. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

June 2, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, The Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh Street, Garden City, NY 11530. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

June 23, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 1745 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

June 25, 2009 (Thursday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 455 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

June 27, 2009 (Saturday) 8:30-11:30 am- “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club, 1881 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

June 30, 2009 (Tuesday) 6-9 pm - “Management Challenges in Rheumatic Diseases: An Update on Best Practices”, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 180 El Camino Real, Suite G2, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Tel: 609-371-1137 - Register at www.princetoncme.com/CORE/

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Phone: (866) 980-2272, Fax: (703) 684-1924
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