Association of Women in Rheumatology

AWIR 2026: A Conference That Works the Way You Do  AWIR’s Annual Conference has never been “another meeting on the calendar.” It’s purpose-built for clinicians who want high-yield learning, a manageable schedule, and meaningful professional connection—all without the chaos and fatigue that come with traditional, large conferences.  You work hard. Your time is limited and valuable. AWIR 2026 respects both.  This single-track experience ensures you attend every key session without having to sacrifice engagement, networking, or your own well-being. No competing rooms. No scrambling. No overload - just smart programming, efficient flow, and time carved out to reset.  Register now and plan to join us in Orlando - come for the learning, stay for the networking, and leave re-energized to advance patient care.   awirgroup.org/meetings/awir-…

This weekend, AWIR advocates are meeting with Congressional offices to advance three pillars of rheumatology care: The Safe Step Act: Putting medical decisions back in the hands of doctors and patients, not insurance protocols. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025: Ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future of our specialty. The Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act: Securing the treatments our community relies on. We’re moving the needle on the policies that matter most. And you can be part of the movement! Become an AWIR advocate today: awirgroup.org/advocacy/take-… #ProtectPatientAccess #Rheumatology #AWIRadvocates #AdvocacyInAction

Rheumatology fellows, residents, and medical students - ready to bring your work to a national stage? Abstract submissions are now open for the AWIR Annual Conference 2026! Share your research or compelling clinical cases with a community of leading clinicians and emerging investigators shaping the future of rheumatology. Selected abstracts will be featured as main stage podium presentations or guided poster tour presentations, offering high-visibility opportunities to present your work and strengthen your academic profile. Submission deadline: April 15, 2026 Even if you do not submit an abstract, attending AWIR 2026 as a Fellow/Trainee offers exceptional opportunities: Exclusive career development workshops and networking receptions Expert-led sessions on the most important and emerging topics in rheumatology Hands-on, small-group workshops in ultrasound, research development, legal topics, and more Conference sponsorship opportunities, including travel reimbursement* Complimentary AWIR membership and free conference registration (in-person or virtual) Most importantly, AWIR is a community where fellows and trainees are active participants - your voice, perspective, and contributions are valued. This meeting is intentionally designed to elevate early-career clinicians, offering a platform to present your work, build mentorship connections, and engage with peers from institutions across the United States and around the world. Learn more and submit your abstract: awirgroup.org/meetings/awir-… *Eligible fellows and trainees based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico may receive travel and hotel reimbursement contingent upon full conference participation.

Advocacy is in our DNA. This March 15–17, AWIR is heading back to Washington, D.C., for Spring Hill Day 2026. We aren’t just visiting the Hill; we are bringing the lived experiences of rheumatologists and their patients directly to the decision-makers. From the Pendry Washington DC to the halls of Congress, our advocates will be pushing for a healthcare system that prioritizes access over obstacles. Together, we are elevating the voice of rheumatology. Learn More: awirgroup.org/advocacy/take-… #AWIRAdvocacy #WomenInRheum #HealthcarePolicy #HillDay2026

Most medical conferences are designed for presentations. Few are designed for real interaction. At AWIR 2026, the goal is different: create an environment where meaningful learning and professional connections happen naturally. Our faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized leaders representing leading institutions across rheumatology, healthcare, and relevant specialties and industries, including: Indira V. Samarasekera, Martha Piper, Richard Furie, Christina Schoeman, Lisa Christopher-Stein, Elaine Husni, Minna Kohler, Jeffrey Curtis, Rachael Gordon, Sara McCoy, and many others. What makes the experience unique is the format. Faculty are not only presenting, they are engaging in small-group workshops, leading panel discussions, participating in networking sessions, and sitting right next to you throughout the entire weekend. With a curated agenda, no competing sessions, and dedicated time for networking, AWIR creates space for the conversations and collaborations that often do not happen at larger meetings. If you are looking for a conference that prioritizes access, engagement, and community, join us at AWIR 2026. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/awir-…

On March 16th, we’re proud to debut our new Building Foundations for Advocacy Leadership Seminar. This isn’t just a briefing—it’s a masterclass in influence. Our members will master the art of: Delivering impactful committee testimony. Crafting persuasive op-eds. Leading legislative engagement at both the state and national levels. Empowering women leaders in medicine to shape the future of health policy. Learn More: awirgroup.org/advocacy/take-… #AdvocacyLeadership #WomenInMedicine #AWIR #LeadTheWay

Why Attend an AWIR Summit Watch Party? “The AWIR watch parties have been one of the best things we’ve started in the last couple of years.” AWIR Summit Watch Parties bring together clinicians from all backgrounds and locations — creating access for those who may not be able to attend national or regional meetings. These gatherings foster connection, learning, and community, all in a relaxed, welcoming environment. With growing attendance and an atmosphere that feels like movie night with colleagues who’ve become friends, watch parties make learning meaningful, inclusive, and fun. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/calen… #AWIRSummit #WatchParty #WomenInRheumatology #MedicalCommunity #PhysicianLeadership #LearningTogether

AWIR’s impact reaches far beyond borders. Through leadership opportunities, mentorship, and inclusive initiatives, the organization empowers members around the world to grow in their careers and find their voices as leaders in their communities. For many global members, AWIR is more than a professional network. It’s a place to collaborate, build lasting relationships, and learn from peers and international experts alike. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the rheumatology community, AWIR continues to strengthen connections and advance the field worldwide. Learn More: awirgroup.org

For APPs in rheumatology, the AWIR Annual Conference is more than a meeting — it’s where leading-edge education happens first. The insights shared here often shape conversations across the field long before they appear elsewhere, making AWIR a primary source for emerging data and best practices. Just as important is the connection. AWIR brings APPs and rheumatology professionals together from across the country and around the world to collaborate, discuss complex cases, and learn from one another. From CME-accredited sessions to real-world peer exchange, the conference equips APPs with knowledge they can bring directly back to their patients and care teams.

AWIR Summits are designed with clinicians’ real lives in mind. By offering accessible, high-quality virtual education, AWIR makes it possible for busy healthcare professionals to stay current without stepping away from their patients, families, or responsibilities at home. When clinicians have access to the most up-to-date knowledge, everyone benefits — especially patients. AWIR Summits help translate education into better care, reinforcing the connection between continuous learning and improved patient outcomes. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/summi…

Gout – the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults – is still one of the most poorly controlled in routine practice. Multimorbidity, treatment delays, health disparities, and failure to fully operationalize treat-to-target strategies leads to persistent flares, preventable joint damage, avoidable cardiovascular risk, and unnecessary healthcare utilization. We can do better. Precise, guideline-aligned, and individualized treatment and management can change disease trajectories – not just flare frequency. Join us for AWIR’s upcoming virtual summit on gout for focused, evidence-based updates on diagnostic precision, treat-to-target implementation, therapeutic sequencing, emerging mechanisms, and case-based decision-making. Register for FREE, attend virtually or connect with peers at a watch party, and earn 1.5 CME/MOC awirgroup.org/summit-april20…

THIS SATURDAY: FREE Webinar on IgG4-RD +1.5CMEMOC IgG4-related disease has moved from curiosity to clinical priority - but delayed recognition and uncertainty in management still compromise outcomes. Are you ready to close this gap? Join leading experts as they integrate evolving immunology with practical guidance on diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment sequencing. Plus, you can earn 1.5 CME/MOC while aligning your practice with the latest evidence. Don't miss out! Register today to attend virtually, or meet with colleagues at an AWIR Watch Party to learn while networking and enjoying snacks. Register at: awirgroup.org/summit-mar-2026

Watch parties are changing how providers connect and learn. As Dr. Tara Mehrani shares, these sessions create a casual, interactive space where providers can come together, engage in live presentations, ask questions, and actually connect — without the pressure of a traditional lecture format. Live, collaborative, and right in your own backyard — it’s no surprise watch parties have been so popular. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/calen… #CollaborativeCare #MedicalEducation #HealthcareCommunity #ProviderEngagement

Rheumatology is entering an exciting era — with new treatments, new possibilities, and new ways to care for patients. But as Dr. Pankhuri Gupta reminds us, this field is about more than what happens in the clinic. It’s about the community you build, the mentors you learn from, and the relationships that shape your career. For fellows and early-career physicians, AWIR offers a place to grow beyond training. From dedicated conference programming and workshops to local chapters that keep you connected year-round, AWIR creates space for learning, leadership, and belonging. Your voice matters here — and AWIR is ready to hear it. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/awir-…

With recent FDA approval of CD19-targeted therapy for IgG4-related disease, the treatment landscape has changed. The question is no longer whether to target B cells, but how to do it strategically and safely in real-world practice. Join leading experts as they unpack the Th2–B-cell–CD19 axis, examine pivotal clinical trial data, and translate the evidence into clear, practice-ready strategies. Attend virtually or connect in person at an AWIR Local Chapter Watch Party near you. Register for FREE at:awirgroup.org/summit-mar-2026

Gout Care is Evolving – Are Your Strategies Keeping Pace? Join experts and peers in AWIR’s upcoming FREE Virtual Summit on Gout! What you’ll learn: Impact of Gout, Comorbidities, and Healthcare Disparities on Patient Outcomes Evidence-Based Guidance for Assessment and Management in Real-World Practice Personalized Treatment Targets and Therapeutic Strategies for Optimal Care Don’t’ miss your chance to stay up to date, adopt evolving evidence, and improve outcomes. Register for FREE, attend virtually or locally at a watch party, and earn 1.5 CME/MOC link:awirgroup.org/summit-april20…

Two days left to secure Early Bird pricing for AWIR 2026. Rates increase March 1. Join us July 29–August 1, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando for a deliberately designed, single-track conference built for modern rheumatology professionals. Why attend? No competing sessions. No fragmented agendas. Integrated networking and included meals for a seamless, focused experience. Engage in small-group workshops ranging from hands-on ultrasound to legal strategy and clinical trials - designed to complement and individualize your professional development. This is immersive, relationship-driven learning with measurable impact on your career. AWIR members receive additional savings with lifetime membership benefits! Early Bird pricing ends March 1. Register now. [awirgroup.org/meetings/awir-…]

IgG4-RD can involve nearly any organ system, sometimes more than one, and often unpredictably. Fragmented care leads to missed signs, unnecessary interventions, suboptimal treatment, and irreversible damage.  Register today for AWIR's upcoming webinar, where you will learn from experts how to recognize IgG4 disease vs mimickers seen in other specialties; integrate imaging, histopathology, and serology to guide decision-making; and build a collaborative care model that optimizes long-term care! Plus, select AWIR Local Chapters are hosting exclusive Watch Parties - where the Virtual Summit comes to life with real-time dialogue and inter-disciplinary networking. Register today: awirgroup.org/summit-mar-2026

AWIR is about more than clinical education — it’s about representation, equity, and using our voices to advocate for change. By centering EDI and advocacy, AWIR creates space for clinicians to feel seen, supported, and empowered within their communities. For those who have never had the opportunity to belong to a community like this, AWIR offers a chance to stand together and fight for causes that often go unheard. Advocacy starts with showing up — and it grows stronger when we do it together. Learn More: awirgroup.org/advocacy/advoc…

AWIR Watch Parties create a unique space where education and connection come together. They offer an opportunity to engage not only with local rheumatologists, but with leaders and peers from across the country — expanding perspectives and strengthening professional networks. Through real-world discussions, shared experiences, and engaging topics, Watch Parties deliver practical insights clinicians can immediately apply to patient care. From learning about new advances in rheumatology to exchanging advice grounded in experience, these gatherings embody the collaborative spirit that makes AWIR such a powerful community. Learn More: awirgroup.org/meetings/summi…