UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Closing Keynote | National Scleroderma Foundation Conference
Book Signing
St. Louis, MO | Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
July 18-20, 2025
Who Gets Scleroderma?
It’s estimated that about 300,000 Americans have scleroderma. About one third of those people have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis can be difficult. There may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases.
Localized scleroderma is more common in children, whereas systemic scleroderma is more common in adults. Overall, females with scleroderma outnumber males about 4-to-1. Other factors such as race and ethnic background, may determine the risk of getting scleroderma, the age of onset, and the pattern or severity of internal organ involvement. The reasons for this are not clear. Although scleroderma is not directly inherited, some scientists feel there is a slight predisposition to it in families with a history of rheumatic diseases.
Scleroderma can develop in every age group from infants to the elderly, but its onset is most frequent between the ages of 25 to 55. When doctors say “usually” or “for the most part,” the reader should understand that variations frequently occur. Many people get alarmed when they read medical information that seems to contradict their own experiences, and conclude that what has happened to them is not supposed to happen. There are many exceptions to the rules in scleroderma, perhaps more so than in other diseases. Each case is different, and information should be discussed with your own doctor.
In African American individuals, the incidence of systemic sclerosis is higher than it is in non-African Americans. Among all African Americans, 23.7 people per million are diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, while the comparable rate among non-African Americans is 18.3 people per million diagnosed. We see a similar pattern when looking at the prevalence of systemic sclerosis among African-Americans contrasted with non-African-Americans.
The progression of the disease in African Americans can be different than in non-African Americans due to differences in autoantibodies. Generally speaking, African American are diagnosed at a younger age than non-African Americans are diagnosed. Additionally, African Americans far more frequently have the diffuse cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis and are more likely to have lung and other organ involvement than occurs among non-African Americans.
October 24-29, 2025
Invited Speaker | American College of Rheumatology
ACR Convergence 2025
Chicago, IL | McCormick Place
ACR Convergence 2025
ACR Convergence is an in-person event, showcasing cutting-edge and timely topics in rheumatology, as well as the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatic diseases and related comorbid conditions. ACR Convergence offers hundreds of sessions to educate professionals in every segment of rheumatology. Clinicians, researchers, academicians, practice managers, pediatric rheumatologists, fellows in training, advance practice nurses, physician assistants, physical or occupational therapists: Whatever your role, ACR Convergence is the place to expand your knowledge and skills and pique your curiosity.
Target Audience
Rheumatologists, physicians, and healthcare providers who care for patients with rheumatic diseases, and those interested in or engaged in rheumatology research.
Global Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Assess their knowledge and competence in various rheumatic diseases and conditions.
Support their skills in evaluating and diagnosing patients with rheumatic diseases.
Discuss and collaborate on challenging cases with peers.
Analyze emerging trends and technologies in rheumatology.
Employ evidence-based approaches for managing rheumatic conditions.
Identify new approaches and strategies for patient management.
Interpret recent clinical trial and research findings.
Apply new information from basic and clinical science to improve the care of people with rheumatologic illness.

Keynotes & Special Events
NIH | NATIONAL INSTITUTES
of HEALTH
18th Annual Pain Consortium Symposium on Advances in
Pain Research
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
June 7, 2023
RESEARCH:
Resilience and
Pathways to Recovery
CHRONIC PAIN RESET
BOOK LAUNCH
Venue By 4M
Ann Arbor, MI
September 5, 2023
Afton, with Ari Weinzweig, American Entrepreneur, Author, Co-Founding Partner of ZingTrain, Zingerman's Community of Businesses make for a fun evening with the audience while creating the essence of celebrating the launch of the Chronic Pain Reset and the CPR Podcast!
Colleagues, friends, family, special guests
and memories to treasure

Invited | Keynote Speaker:
Topic Options