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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Updates in Rheumatology and Neurology

7-Night Northbound Glacier Discovery Cruise
from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whittier, Alaska August 13 - 20, 2023
Holland America's <em> Nieuw Amsterdam</em>
Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam
16.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
16 ACPE Credits
16 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
3.0 Hours of Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
16.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees
$995 for Physicians, Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, & Dentists
$795 for Physician Assistants
$595 for Nurses, Residents, Students & Others

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. Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
    • 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
  8. Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Myopathies
    • identify key differentiating factors between various inflammatory and non-inflammatory myopathies
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

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

Benn E. Smith, MD, FAAN, FANA

Benn E. Smith, MD, FAAN, FANA
Associate Professor 
Department of Neurology 
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Mayo Clinic
Scottsdale, AZ

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
Sun Aug 13 Vancouver, British Columbia
- 4:30 pm
Mon Aug 14 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Tue Aug 15 Ketchikan, Alaska
7:00 am 3:00 pm
Wed Aug 16 Juneau, Alaska
10:00 am 10:00 pm
Thu Aug 17 Skagway, Alaska
7:00 am 9:00 pm
Fri Aug 18 *At Sea - Cruising
7:00 am 4:00 pm
Sat Aug 19 *At Sea - Cruising
5:00 pm 8:00 pm
Sun Aug 20 Whittier, Alaska
1:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

Vancouver, British Columbia - Sophisticated. Culturally diverse, this beautiful port city brims with attractions. From Vancouver's cosmopolitan downtown to the historically renovated Gastown district and exotic Chinatown, Vancouver displays varied urban scenes. Nestled near the city center is Stanley Park, resplendent with its deep forest, totem poles, and scenic promenades.

Non-US/Canadian individuals, please Click here to determine if you will need a visa to board this cruise which visits Canada.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage— a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colorful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.

Juneau, Alaska - You can’t get to Juneau easily without a sprint by air or by sea. But once you arrive you’ll find majestic views and rich culture in every corner. With its snowcapped mountains, misty rainforests, massive glaciers and bounty of wildlife, Alaska’s remote state capital is the perfect place to dive into nature. Framed by Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the city’s picturesque downtown area offers centuries-old bars, boutique shops and historic landmarks. For a taste of the local culture, visit the historic district and the Alaska State Museum. And for outdoor thrills, you can take your pick of activities ranging from whale watching in Auke Bay Harbor to tundra trekking over Mendenhall Glacier, and even try your hand at gold panning in Last Chance Basin.

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.

Whittier, Alaska - This remote village is nestled along breathtaking Prince William Sound, home to a stunning array of wildlife, including bald eagles, sea otters and killer whales, so have your camera ready. Whittier has the odd distinction of being almost entirely under one roof. No need to get in a car to go to the grocery store, bank or a friend’s house. All town services are sheltered from the often-inclement weather in this unique and practical way, and virtually all of Whittier’s approximately 220 residents live in the 14-story Begich Towers, originally a Cold War outpost for the U.S. Army. Not only will you experience Whittier’s small town charm on Alaska cruise, there is also plenty of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, scuba diving and kayaking. It is also known for its high concentration of glaciers.

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.
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