Menu Close

Part 5: #CRArthritis interviews from this year’s CRA & AHPA Annual Scientific Meeting

Part 5: #CRArthritis interviews from this year’s CRA & AHPA Annual Scientific Meeting

Thank you to everyone for making the 10th Annual #CRArthritis a big success!

Below is a summary of the interviews Arthritis Broadcast Network conducted after the conference with Drs Alison Clifford, Hani El-Gabalawy, Ahmad Zbib, and Ms. Michelle Bridge and Ms. Morag Crocker. 

Interview 24 – 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and giant cell arteritis with Dr. Alison Clifford

Dr. Alison Clifford is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rheumatology at the University of Alberta. She is also an associate member of CanVasc, the Canadian network for vasculitis invesitgators. Her interest is in vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessel walls. Vasculitis results in reduced blood flow to the body’s organs, potentially leading to serious tissue damage. In this #CRArthritis interview, she talks about the 18F-Flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and giant cell arteritis, the most common form of vasculitis in North America.

Interview 25 – The role of allied health care professionals in arthritis care with Ms. Michelle Bridge

Michelle Bridge is the President of Arthritis Health Professions Association. She is an Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC)-trained Occupational Therapist, with Arthritis Society Canada’s Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, covering Windsor-Essex county in Ontario.  She is involved in the Association’s ACPAC Special Interest Group committee, having contributed as Chair of the education sub-committee as well as being the website liaison.  She explains what the Arthritis Health Professions Association is and what it offers for its members. Furthermore, she highlights the role that allied health care professionals play in arthritis care.

Interview 26 – Virtual and remote occupational therapy and complex osteoarthritis with Ms. Morag Crocker

Morag Crocker is an occupational therapist and occupational therapy practice coordinator at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program. As coordinator, she helps bring arthritis travelling occupational therapy service to remote communities like Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Hazelton, Smithers, Terrace, Haida Gwaii and Williams Lake. 

In this #CRArthritis interview, she shares how travelling occupational therapy works and explains what the tertiary arthritis program is at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre. She also provides a definition of what complex osteoarthritis is and some tips on how to manage complex osteoarthritis.

Interview 27 – Rheumatoid arthritis prediction and prevention, and the impact of RA on First Nations People with Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy

Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy is a physician and researcher, currently holding positions as a professor of medicine and immunology, and an endowed Rheumatology Research Chair at the University of Manitoba. He is widely recognized for his contributions in the field of rheumatology and immunology, with a specific focus on rheumatoid arthritis and Indigenous Health. 

In this #CRArthritis interview, Dr. El-Gabalawy summarizes the key take aways from his presentations on rheumatoid arthritis prediction and prevention, and the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on First Nations People.

Interview 28 – Updates from the Canadian Rheumatology Association with Dr. Ahmad Zbib

Dr. Ahmad Zbib attended the American University of Beirut (Lebanon) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and later attended The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, earning his MD in general medicine in 2003. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Canadian Rheumatology Association. Dr. Zbib shares updates from the Canadian Rheumatology Association and tells us more about the Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation.