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You may have found this page in error or been referred to this page via an outdated link.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.

Current Topics in Nephrology and Rheumatology

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Round-trip Miami, Florida
August 08 - 15, 2020
Royal Caribbean's <em>Symphony of the Seas</em>
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas
14.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
14 ACPE Credits
14 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives
This purpose of this lecture series is to provide health care providers with the latest tools to evaluate and initiate early treatment for a variety of common rheumatic diseases.

By the end of the lecture series, attendees will be able to diagnose and initiate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren&apost;s syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, gout and pyrophosphate deposition disease. Attendees will also be able to critically analyze lupus serology and explain the poor specificity of the anti-nuclear antibody.

Attendees will be able to describe key clinical findings in scleroderma and discuss the role of an echocardiogram, pulmonary function test and high resolution CT scan of the chest to screen for and identify interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Finally, attendees will be able to outline a plan for timing of immunizations and elective surgery for patients who are being treated with immunosuppressive agents for their rheumatic disease.

Topics:
  1. Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis and management
    • Diagnose and initiate treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
  2. Lupus: A case-based approach
    • List the most common clinical and laboratory features of lupus
  3. Sjogren's Syndrome: Beyond sicca
    • Identify extra-glandular features of Sjogren&apost;s syndrome and outline a treatment plan for most common manifestations.
  4. Scleroderma: A systemic disease
    • Describe key clinical features scleroderma.
    • Accurately select patients who require more immediate investigations to identify cardiopulmonary disease.
  5. Polymyalgia rheumatic and giant cell arteritis
    • Diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica and initiate treatment.
    • Diagnose giant cell arteritis and initiate treatment
  6. Gout and pyrophosphate deposition disease
    • Use the ACR/EULAR guidelines to diagnose and treat gout.
    • Differentiate between gout and pyrophosphate deposition disease.
  7. Rheumatologic medications: what you need to know
    • Summarize key potential risks when using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
    • Develop a plan for the appropriate administration of immunizations and timing of surgical procedures in patients who are being treated with DMARDs
Additional topics under development
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

Mohanram Narayanan, MD, FACP, FNKF, FASN, FRCP(C)

Mohanram Narayanan, MD, FACP, FNKF, FASN, FRCP(C)
Professor of Medicine, Texas A&M HSC COM
Director, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension
Chief, Section of Clinical Transplantation 

Dr. Narayanan received his medical degree at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India, and completed residencies in Internal Medicine at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, India and at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. He completed clinical fellowships in Nephrology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, Illinois, and at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, and Geriatric Medicine and is a Certified Specialist in Hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension.

Dr. Narayanan is a Professor of Medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center-College of Medicine and Baylor Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas, where he serves as Director, Division of Nephrology-Hypertension and Medical Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program.

A fellow of the National Kidney Foundation, the American Society of Nephrology, the American College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Narayanan&apos's clinical practice focuses on all aspects of Nephrology as well as kidney and pancreas transplantation. 

A frequent lecturer, presenter, and author, Dr. Narayanan's work has been published in several peer reviewed journals including the American Journal of Kidney Disease, American Journal of Transplantation, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Hemodialysis International, Investigative Radiology, and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , among many others. He is also the Principal Investigator for several industry sponsored clinical trials. Dr. Narayanan serves on the editorial board of the journal Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease and is a reviewer for the American Journal of Transplantation .

Ronald R. Butendieck, JR, MD, FACP

Ronald R. Butendieck, JR, MD, FACP
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Rheumatology Consultant
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville, FL Dr. Butendieck received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed clinical residency and fellowship training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.

Dr. Butendieck is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and serves as a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. He is actively involved in teaching residents and fellows and has received the Top Teacher in Rheumatology Award on multiple occasions. Since 2013, he has presented the topics of Vasculitis and Inflammatory/Non-inflammatory myopathies each year at the Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review series for senior residents.

He has a special interest in Behçet’s disease and has presented internationally on the topic of Neuro-Behçet’s. He is also the contributing author on the topic of Behçet’s for the National Organization for Rare Disorders. He has presented nationally and internationally on various topics in rheumatology and has authored peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

In 2017, he was elected as a Fellow in the American College of Physicians. He currently serves on the Mayo International Health Program Selection Committee and the Humanities in Medici

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
Sat Aug 08 Miami, Florida
- 4:30 pm
Sun Aug 09 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Mon Aug 10 Labadee, Haiti
7:00 am 4:00 pm
Tue Aug 11 Falmouth, Jamaica
9:30 am 6:00 pm
Wed Aug 12 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Thu Aug 13 Cozumel, Mexico
7:00 am 7:00 pm
Fri Aug 14 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sat Aug 15 Miami, Florida
6:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.
Western Caribbean

Ports of Call

Miami, Florida - As far as vacation destinations go, Miami tops most sun-seekers’ lists. With its gorgeous beaches, vibrant neighborhoods and melting pot of cultures, the Magic City is the perfect place to spend a few days before your Caribbean island hop. Ahead of your cruise from Miami, jump-start your morning in true Miami style with a Cuban cafecito from a ventanita — a streetside shop window. Then climb the historic lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on quiet Key Biscayne before lounging on the island’s secluded sandy shores. If you’re looking for a bit more action, head to South Beach — home to world-class restaurants, nightlife, shopping and lively beaches, all set against snap-worthy Art Deco buildings. Art lovers who visit Miami can head to Wynwood and explore the neighborhood’s colorful street murals and local galleries. Or take a trip back in time at the Renaissance-style Vizcaya estate, which offers a glimpse into Miami’s dazzling past.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Labadee, Haiti - Beachside meets mountainside on the shores of Labadee — a Royal Caribbean private destination on Haiti’s northern coast. Here you’ll find pristine sands, coral reefs and jungle-covered hilltops nestling lagoon-like bays. There’s no shortage of places to relax and recharge across five stretches of beach. Or dial up the thrills on an active adventure like a half-mile-long zip line ride over the ocean. And fascinating culture, history and the natural beauty of Haiti’s spectacular coasts wait to be discovered around every corner. Escape to the Western Caribbean for a wilder way to experience paradise.

Falmouth, Jamaica - Step off the ship and step back in time. You might not think so at first glance but little Falmouth was an economic and shipping powerhouse and center for dramatic social change during the English Colonial Period. Founded and named Martha Brae Point in 1769 by local English planter, Thomas Reid, Falmouth became the transshipment hub for the sugar plantations covering the hills of the North Coast of Jamaica. Edward Barrett, a wealthy English planter, strongly influenced the early development of Falmouth. From the wharfs of Falmouth, sugar, molasses, rum and coffee were sent to England while ships carrying African slaves and all the necessities of 18th century colonial life dropped anchor in the bustling port town. You'll return with sun kissed skin, timeless memories as well as interesting historical tidbits to share with friends, like this one: Falmouth received piped water before New York City.

Cozumel, Mexico - With its lively tropical reefs, crystal-clear waters and ancient ruins, Cozumel is ripe for one-of-a-kind adventures. Cruise to Cozumel and head to Chankanaab National Park, where you can snorkel among the colorful reefs and schools of tropical fish that give this island its premier diving status. Or travel back in time on an adventure through the towering Maya ruins of Tulum. When you’re done exploring, unwind with a beachside massage at Playa Mia. From culture savoring to soaking up sunshine, you’ll find a world of adventure waiting for you in Cozumel.

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®