Agenda
Our 18th Annual Conference will feature timely and practical education curated for rheumatology nurses and advanced practice providers. Sessions will address emerging therapies, complex care coordination, innovations in infusion, rare pediatric presentations, and more.
Please note: topics, titles, and presenters are subject to change. Final session information will be available in the official program closer to the event.
Thursday, November 6th – General Sessions
7:00 AM
Registration Opens for 2025 18th Annual Conference!
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Light Breakfast & Coffee served
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Welcome
Sadie Larson, Executive Director
Teri Puhalsky, RNS Board President
9:20 AM – 10:20 AM
Accredited Session to be announced soon
10:20 AM – 11:20 AM
From Office to Infusion: Supporting Patients Across Infusion and Injection Journeys in partnership with the National Infusion Centers Association (NICA)
Monica Parsons, BSN, RN
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often move between treatment options, and both rheumatology and infusion nurses play a key role in guiding that journey. This session offers practical strategies to explain where infusion fits in the RA pathway, support patients in weighing infusion versus self-injection, and prepare them for what to expect on infusion day. We’ll also focus on closing communication gaps between clinics and infusion centers and documenting patient-reported outcomes in ways that support timely treatment decisions. Nurses will leave with tools to reduce patient anxiety, improve coordination, and strengthen continuity of care.
11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Exhibit Hall Opens
11:55 AM – 1:25 PM
Product Theater Sponsored by Bristol Myers-Squibb
1:25 PM – 1:55 PM
Exhibit Hall Break
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Little Vessels, Big Challenges: Pediatric Vasculitis and the Role of the Rheumatology Nurse
Linda Wagner-Weiner, MD
Pediatric vasculitis can present with subtle symptoms but carries high stakes. This session explores the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and long-term management of small-vessel vasculitis in children. Attendees will examine the nurse’s role in care coordination, medication adherence, family education, and psychosocial support for young patients with rare but serious inflammatory disease.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Tough Skin, Tougher Disease: Understanding and Managing Systemic Sclerosis
Louise Parker, RN, BSc, MSc, NIP
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is more than a skin-deep condition, it is a complex autoimmune disease that can lead to serious multi-organ involvement. This session offers a comprehensive overview of SSc, including its limited and diffuse subtypes, hallmark clinical signs, diagnostic approaches, and current treatment strategies. Nurses and advanced practice providers will learn how to monitor, manage, and educate patients throughout the disease course. The session will also highlight how those practicing at an advanced scope can support early detection, organ surveillance, and coordinated care planning.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
More Than the Lungs: Unpacking Sarcoidosis Across Systems
Diana Finney, RN, MSc
Sarcoidosis is often associated with pulmonary symptoms, but its reach extends far beyond the lungs. This session will explore the multi-organ manifestations of sarcoidosis—including cardiac, neurologic, and dermatologic involvement—and the implications for rheumatology nurses. Attendees will learn to recognize subtle signs, understand diagnostic pathways, and support complex care coordination in patients with systemic disease.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Opening Reception: Posters and Palomas
Kick off the conference with an evening of networking, themed cocktails, and the latest in rheumatology research! Bring your best boots and join the celebration.
Friday, November 7th – General Sessions
8:00 AM – 8:05 AM
Breakfast
8:05 AM – 8:15 AM
Welcome
8:15 AM – 8:50 AM
Sponsored Session to be announced
8:50 AM – 9:20 AM
Exhibit Hall Break
9:25 AM – 9:45 AM
RNS Business Meeting
Board of Directors
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Lifelong Care: A Rheumatology Case Study from Childhood Through Adulthood
Polly Livermore, PhD, MSc ANP, BSc
Louise Parker, RN, BSc, MSc, NIP
Follow a patient’s journey with myositis from pediatric diagnosis to adult management. This case-based session illustrates how treatment goals, patient education, and care team roles evolve across life stages. Attendees will explore transitions of care, family dynamics, and the long-term coordination needed to support individuals living with chronic autoimmune conditions from childhood into adulthood.
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Policy Updates – Implications for Patient Access
Sharon Lamberton, MS, RN, FAAN
11:20 AM – 12:50 PM
Product Theater – Sponsored by Novartis
12:50 PM – 1:25 PM
Exhibit Hall Break
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
What the Labs and Imaging Are Telling You (and What They’re Not)
Helen Smith, APRN
Laboratory markers and imaging studies are essential tools in rheumatology—but interpreting them requires clinical nuance. This session equips attendees with practical skills to evaluate common labs (ANA, RF, ESR, CRP) and imaging modalities (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) while avoiding common pitfalls. Learn how to integrate findings with the patient story to guide evidence-based decisions.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Rheum Roundup: Rapid-Fire Updates in Disease Management
Sheila Behimehr, MS, APRN, AGNP-C
This dynamic session delivers a fast-paced overview of the latest treatment strategies and clinical guidelines across a spectrum of rheumatic diseases. From rheumatoid arthritis to conditions like Sjögren’s, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis variants, and beyond, attendees will leave with up-to-the-minute insights they can apply immediately in practice!
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Unwind and Explore Break
You deserve a break! Take a moment to relax and recharge. Enjoy lounging by the pool, strolling the San Antonio River Walk, visiting the Alamo, or simply connecting with friends.
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
President’s Dinner
Attendees are cordially invited by RNS President Teri Puhalsky, BSN, RN, to an evening of dinner, drinks, awards, and celebration honoring the accomplishments of the RNS and its members – an RNS tradition!
Saturday, November 8th – General Sessions
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM
Welcome
8:40 AM – 9:40 AM
Not Your Grandpa’s Gout: Modern Management of an Ancient Disease
Sheila Behimehr, MS, APRN, AGNP-C
Gout is no longer just a lifestyle-related disease of the elderly. This session breaks down the latest understanding of its pathophysiology, diagnostic updates, and pharmacologic options—including urate-lowering therapy, biologics, and flare prevention strategies. Learn how to bust myths, manage comorbidities, and educate patients with this increasingly common and complex form of arthritis.
9:40 AM – 10:40 AM
Beyond Biologics: CAR-T and the Future of Immunotherapy in Rheumatology
Chad Hille, MD
CAR-T cell therapy is transforming cancer care—and may soon do the same for autoimmune diseases. This forward-looking session introduces attendees to the science behind CAR-T, its current investigational use in lupus and RA, and its implications for nursing practice. Understand what’s coming next and how to prepare for the clinical, ethical, and operational considerations of cell-based therapies.
10:40 AM – 11:40 AM
Lupus Under the Lens: What Nurses and APPs Need to Know Now
Kimberly Trotter, MD
Not all lupus is the same. This session will differentiate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from lupus nephritis (LN), highlighting key differences in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment strategies. Attendees will review current FDA-approved therapies for both conditions and explore promising agents in the pipeline. Learn how to tailor patient education, monitor disease progression, and support care plans that address the unique challenges of each form of lupus.
11:40 AM – 12:40 AM
Bone Deep: Rethinking Osteoporosis Risk and Treatment in Rheumatology
Chad Hille, MD
Osteoporosis is a silent, systemic threat—often overlooked in rheumatology patients already managing inflammatory bone loss. This session reexamines screening strategies, treatment algorithms, and fracture prevention for diverse patient populations. Attendees will explore the intersection of rheumatic disease and bone health, including the impact of corticosteroids and how to personalize prevention plans.
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Farewell Reception
Close out the conference with light bites, camaraderie, and a heartfelt goodbye, celebrating the learning and memories made together until we gather again in 2026 with your RNS friends and colleagues.
While content is still in development and official hours are still pending, participants are anticipated to receive up to 11.5 continuing nursing contact hours by actively participating in education sessions and completing an online evaluation upon completion of the program.
The Rheumatology Nurses Society is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (Provider No. P0500).