It’s a new year, a new decade and if you believe in groundhog weathermen, we are on our way to an early spring. But rodent predictions aside, 2020 looks like a banner year for the ORA. Your executive and board continue their frequent and meaningful dialogues with federal and provincial governments as well as insurance companies around topics such as drug shortages, biosimilars and rationalizing lab testing in Ontario. The ORA is still seen as a leader amongst physician groups, as evidenced by Carter Thorne being asked to represent the entire OMA at a recent biosimilars meeting with the Ontario Ministry of Health. Our committee chairs continue to work hard on behalf of members.
Dr. Thanu Ruban and Dr. Yan Yeung recently held an extremely successful Emerging Rheumatologists of Ontario Practice Management workshop, attended by over 44 rheumatologists. Talks on hiring, billing, leases and other topics were held and received extremely positive reviews. The RheumOpportunities Committee is creating a Practice Transition handbook which will be a one-stop information guide for those looking to wind things done. The EAP committee has had success in creating a form for Tocilizumab for Giant Cell Arteritis and we now have Rituximab approved for Vasculitis maintenance. The Informatics Committee is moving towards some very exciting EMR solutions for Ontario rheumatologists. The OMA Committee remains committed to negotiating for rheumatologists within the OMA/MoH framework.The Annual Scientific Meeting planning is well under way with an excellent slate of speakers once again. Look for an email announcing that registration is open in the coming weeks!
So much is going on, and so many thoughtful and engaged colleagues working with passion and dedication! It makes me a little sad to say that this is my last message to you as President as my (second) term is up at the end of our Annual Scientific Meeting, this year at Kingbridge Conference Centre April 17-19. I would like to extend a special thanks to Denis Morrice and Sandy Kennedy, without whom none of the accomplishments of the ORA would be possible. I am confident though in our organization which is strong in energy and numbers and I am handing the baton to an excellent incoming president, Dr. Philip Baer.
