Our office will be closed Thursday, November 24th (all day) in observance of Thanksgiving Day. We will reopen on Friday, November 25th, at 8:30 am.

800-926-3775

University at Sea®

5700 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33703

E-Mail Us

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm EST
Saturday
10:00am - 2:00pm EST
Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CURRENTLY ACTIVE PROGRAM.

You may have found this page in error or been referred to this page via an outdated link. If you did come to this page from a link posted on another website, you may wish to alert the person responsible for the link that the program is labeled as inactive on our site. You are also welcome to e-mail us and report this message.

Women's Health and Rheumatology

7-Night Alaska Glacier Cruise
Round-trip Seattle, Washington
June 26 - July 03, 2020
Royal Caribbean's <em>Ovation of the Seas</em>
Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas
14.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
14 ACPE Credits
3½ Hours of Pharmacology for NPs
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives
It is estimated that currently 54.4 million U.S. adults suffer from doctor diagnosed arthritis - equating to about 25% of the population. This number is projected to increase to 78 million by 2040. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability, and the most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia. In addition, there is a major health care crisis fin bone health and epidemic of fractures due to osteoporosis leading to significant morbidities, mortality and costs.

Yet, there remains a significant gap between the awareness of these disorders as well as ability to appropriately diagnose and manage rheumatic disorders in medical community. There have been a lot of advancements in appropriately diagnosing and classifying as well as managing these disorders with an explosion of therapeutic options. These advancements are yet to be used widely in practice and there exists a huge gap.

These lectures provide a huge opportunity in learning how to better diagnose these disorders and choose appropriate therapeutic options. They also provide an opportunity to learn and understand evidence based guidelines published in these disorders for classification and management of these disorders. The desired outcomes in audience is better understanding of these very common disorders to improve their ability to diagnose and differentiate from other mimickers and also manage them appropriately.

The seven lectures on women health issues will provide the attendees valuable skills and strategies to improve their women patient care in several common health problems throughout their lives. Topics:
  1. Evaluation and management of Osteoarthritis.
    • Identify that osteoarthritis(OA) is most common form of arthritis and has an immense impact on lives in USA.
    • Describe various clinical manifestations of OA.
    • Select the various management options based upon the evidence based guidelines provided by various professional organization.
  2. Update on diagnosis and management of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
    • Elucidate the epidemiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA).
    • Differentiate Inflammatory from non-inflammatory arthritis.
    • Recognize various clinical presentations of RA and its classification criteria.
    • Describe common agents used to treat and evidence based strategies in management of RA.
  3. Gout in 21st century: How far have we come?
    • Identify the recent updates in the evaluation and management of Gout.
    • Ascertain the role of uric acid in pathogenesis and management of Gout.
    • Distinguish the differing positions of American College of Rheumatology and American College of Physicians in management of Gout.
    • Describe therapeutic options for management of Gout and potential pitfalls.
  4. Osteoporosis: A Silent Killer; Current state of evaluation and management.
    • Identify the recent updates in the evaluation and management of Osteoporosis.
    • Describe the role of bone density testing in evaluation of Osteoporosis.
    • Discuss recent advances including a new therapeutic options on horizon for management of Osteoporosis.
  5. Inflammatory Back Pain: How to evaluate spondyloarthritides and manage them?
    • Differentiate clinical presentation and common features of mechanical back pain from inflammatory back pain.
    • Ascertain various clinical presentations and classification of Spondyloarthritides (SpA).
    • Discover the available therapeutic options and guidelines for management of axial and peripheral Spa.
  6. Connective Tissue Disease: What does it mean? How is it evaluated and when do I get rheumatology involved?
    • Conclude that a positive test for auto-antibodies does not mean a diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.
    • Describe common auto-antibodies and their association with underlying diseases.
    • Identify clinical presentations where testing for auto-antibodies and referral to rheumatology is appropriate
  7. DMARDs and Biologics in management of rheumatic diseases: current state of understanding
    • Recognize the vast number of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic response modifiers (Biologics) used in management of rheumatic diseases.
    • Differentiate various pharmacological features of DMARDs and Biologics.
    • Summarize regulatory and financial issues with biologics and biosimilars.
  8. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE/Lupus): An Overview
    • Identify various clinical presentations and classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
    • Describe the common agents and evidence based strategies in management of Lupus (SLE).
  9. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) - How can I help my Patients?
    • Describe the pathogenesis and the diagnostic process in PMS
    • Describe the natural history and prognosis of PMS
    • Discuss the evidence for current treatment of PMS
    • Apply the latest recommendations how to manage effectively PMS.
  10. High Risk Pregnancy: Doctor - what about my future health?
    • To discuss recent recommendations for follow up and intervention in women who had high-risk pregnancy conditions in their past pregnancies such as: preeclampsia /eclampsia, fetal intra uterine growth restriction and gestational diabetes
    • The participants will be able to detect the long term consequences of these high risk pregnancy conditions
    • The participants will be able describe possible future health problems of the offspring of these high-risk pregnancy mothers in accord with barker hypothesis
    • The participants will be able to assess the importance of continuous blood pressure measurements, glucose and lipid profile levels, weight reduction programs when appropriate according to the specific high-risk pregnancy.
  11. Diabetes in pregnant women and beyond
    • Differentiate the different types of diabetes during pregnancy.
    • Discuss the latest evidence-based recommendations of the medical measures to be taken before pregnancy in a known diabetic patient.
    • Apply the appropriate management of diabetes during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum.
    • Discuss different management options in gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes.
    • Apply evidence-based treatment options using the latest technological advances of insulin pumps and continuous glucose sensors when appropriate.
  12. Infertility - Basic evaluation of the couple
    • Describe the basic diagnostic steps and treatment options of infertile patients
    • Discuss the preliminary evaluation needed in both male female and unexplained infertility
    • Apply an up to date methodological and structured evaluation using the different fertility tests and treatment options according to the medical finding presented
    • Explain infertility patients the cause of their problem and help them in the decision-making process of how to reach their goal of having a baby
  13. Sexual problems - How can I help my patients?
    • Differentiate various common causes of both female and male sexual problems
    • Discuss the latest recommendations for treating sexual dysfunction
    • Apply a structured comfortable evaluation of the sexual dysfunction
    • Determine when to refer the patient for further evaluation and treatment by a Psychological therapist or Sexologist
  14. Chronic pelvic pain - A practical approach
    • Discuss recent recommendations of the evaluation of chronic pelvic pain
    • Apply evaluation plan in a methodological manner
    • Assess female chronic pelvic pain through both noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures
    • Describe and apply the appropriate therapy needed according to the diagnosis
  15. Examination and treatment of common vulvar and vaginal infections
    • Differentiate between Bacterial vaginosis, Yeast infections and trichomonas vaginalis.
    • Discuss diagnosis and management of common vulvovaginal infections
    • Describe the diagnostic office tests for differentiating these infections through few simple tests performed
    • Apply effective treatment for these common vaginal and vulvar pathological conditions
Conference Sessions generally take place on days at sea (as itinerary allows), giving you plenty of time to enjoy your meals, evenings and ports of call with your companion, family and friends.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All conferees, their families, and guests must book their cruise within the University at Sea® meeting group through University at Sea® at 800-926-3775 or by registering online. This ensures our company can provide conference services and complimentary social amenities to all meeting participants and their guests. Thank you for your cooperation.
Faculty

Vikas Majithia, MD, MPH, FACR, FACP

Vikas Majithia, MD, MPH, FACR, FACP
Professor of Internal Medicine 
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology. 
Rheumatology Division Director and Fellowship Program Director  Dr. Majithia currently serves as Division Director and Fellowship Program Director at division of Rheumatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Rheumatologist at GV (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center Rheumatologist. 

Dr. Majithia completed his medical school at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Science in India, residency at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit Michigan and a fellowship in rheumatology at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is board certified in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

He is board certified in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is the principal investigator on a number of clinical trials, longitudinal studies and has published more than 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and multiple book chapters. 

He has received many honors and accolades for his teaching and service including induction into Norman C. Nelson Order of Teaching Excellence. He has current and previous service on a number of intra-mural committees. He currently serves on/ has served on multiple extra-mural committees which include those for American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians and American Board of Internal Medicine.

Uriel Elchalal MD

Uriel Elchalal MD
Associate Professor
Obstetrics and Gynecology Dept
Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center
Ein Kerem Jerusalem, POB 12000
Israel  Born - July 8, 1956 in Israel. Doctor of Medicine, Ben-Gurion University, Israel, 1984. Resident in obstetrics and gynecology Kaplan University Hospital, Rehovot, Israel. 1985-1991. Chief physician Ob/Gyn Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, since 1993. Research Fellowship in reproductive sciences - Barns Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Miss. USA 2003-2004. 

Associate Prof. Ob/Gyn Hebrew University, Hadassah School Medicine, Jerusalem since 2009. Head of high risk pregnancy outpatient clinic, Hadassah Ein Kerem medical center.

Head of high risk pregnancy outpatient clinic, Hadassah Ein Kerem medical center. Head of Maccabi women outpatient health center in Jerusalem. Vice Dean&dasg; Student affairs Faculty of Medicine Hadassah Hebrew University. Contributor of over 100 articles to professional journals and author of 3 books in Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproduction (Hebrew).

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.

Cruise Itinerary

DATE PORT OF CALL ARRIVE DEPART
Fri Jun 26 Seattle, Washington
- 4:00 pm
Sat Jun 27 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Jun 28 Alaska Inside Passage
- -
Sun Jun 28 Juneau, Alaska
12:00 pm 9:00 pm
Mon Jun 29 Skagway, Alaska
7:00 am 8:30 pm
Tue Jun 30 Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
7:00 am 12:00 pm
Wed Jul 01 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Thu Jul 02 Victoria, British Columbia
8:00 am 8:00 pm
Fri Jul 03 Seattle, Washington
6:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.
Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas 07052019

Ports of Call

Seattle, Washington - Sailing out on a cruise from Seattle? Make sure you spend a few a days in the beautiful Emerald City. If you’re a nature lover, this jewel in the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place for you to explore ahead of your cruise vacation. Though it offers plenty of metropolitan delights — think great restaurants, bars, a ton of shopping and lots (and lots) of hip coffee shops — Seattle is a big city with a wild, great-outdoors soul. It’s surrounded by ancient forests, sprawling public parks and, of course, the misty Puget Sound, where you can slow-moving tugboats, sleek kayaks and the occasional pod of whales. Head to Discovery Park for beautiful views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges or visit the Olympic Sculpture Park near Elliott Bay. And if you’re craving a drink and a tasty bite to eat, head to one of Seattle’s many rooftop bars and take advantage of those extra-long northern summer days while you sip local brews and expertly crafted cocktails.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Alaska Inside Passage - Winding along the breathtaking coast of Alaska, the Inside Passage offers magnificent views of forested islands, rock-walled fjords and snowcapped mountains. Richly diverse flora and fauna are also on display.

Skagway, Alaska - The tiny town of Skagway still looks like it did during the Klondike Gold Rush over 100 years ago— and today it remains an outpost for thrilling Alaskan adventure. An old-time street car ride along bustling Broadway Street reveals well-preserved buildings, including the state’s oldest hotel. You can see engraved walrus tusks at the Corrington Museum, or get lost in riveting historical reenactments around town. If outdoor adventure is more your thing, there are plenty of ways to amp up the adrenaline, from sledding with Alaskan Huskies on Laughton Glacier to rafting Lynn Canal, the longest fjord in North America.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier - One of Alaska's lesser-known gems, Endicott Arm Fjord marks the southern edge of Fords Terror Wilderness area. As you drift through its 30 -mile-long stretch, you can't help but be awed by the sorrounding granite cliffs, mountain valleys and dozens of gushing waterfalls. Drifting icebergs, deep blue waters and a spectacular tidewater glacier only add to this natural spectacle's appeal.

Victoria, British Columbia - Though Toronto and Vancouver are the more famous Canadian destinations, it’s high time for the sophisticated and beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia (BC) to have its big moment. The quaint charm and English manners of Victoria will take you back in time to the days of British occupation in the 19th century. Victoria is known as “the garden city” for its lushness and its commitment to keeping the city beautiful. Head to Butchart Garden or Beacon Hill Park to enjoy nature during your time in port.

Of course, a little history lesson is another must while on a cruise to Victoria, BC. Tour the expertly maintained Craigdarroch Castle and the Parliament Buildings, or stop in the Royal BC Museum, a natural history museum dedicated to the history of human settlement in the region. There’s also the Emily Carr House, a museum dedicated to the life and works of the famous painter, Emily Carr. Victoria exudes an intellectualism where art galleries and afternoon tea await you, but so do long bicycle rides along the seafront. Stylish cafes and restaurants are modernizing the city, all while maintaining its signature look: something straight out of a postcard.

Non-Americans/Canadians, please Click Here to determine if you'll need a visa to board this cruise, which visits Canada

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Please note that our shore excursions are operated separately and
independently of those offered by the cruise line.
©2019 - University at Sea®