North Carolina Rheumatology Association - NCRA

10/20/2026

💙 Whole-patient care means caring for more than the disease.

Living with a chronic autoimmune condition can affect much more than physical health. Pain, fatigue, unpredictable flares, and changes in daily life can also take a toll on mental and emotional well-being.

For people living with inflammatory diseases, mental health is an important part of the care conversation.

Our latest blog explores the connection between chronic autoimmune disease and mental health, and why asking, “How are you doing?” matters just as much as asking, “How is your disease doing?”

📖 Read the full article: https://ncrheum.org/whole-patient-care-mental-health/

Whole-Patient Care: Mental Health and Chronic Autoimmune Disease   Article contributed by Prarthana Jain, DO MPH Living with a chronic autoimmune disease affects much more than the immune system. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other infl...

10/13/2026

It's only TWO days until...

Our 2026 NCRA Fall Summit!

Gain perspective that can benefit you well beyond the clinic.

📅 October 15 | 7 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom
🎟️ Free to NCRA members and friends (no industry reps, please)

👉 Register today:

2026 Fall Summit NCRA 2026 Fall Summit October 15, 7pm Virtually via Zoom Open NCRA members and friends Abstract: Here’s a (Young) Professional’s Guide to Getting Started (or Getting Right) with Investing: Advice from a Long-Term Market Observer and Investor. People with money to invest have an ...

10/12/2026

💙 **Today is World Arthritis Day.**

Arthritis affects millions of people around the world, and its impact can reach far beyond joint pain. For many, living with arthritis can mean navigating the uncertainty that can come with managing a chronic condition.

This World Arthritis Day, let’s raise awareness, share understanding and remind those living with arthritis that they are not alone. 💙

10/06/2026

💰 Your financial well-being is important.

Join us on October 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom for the NCRA 2026 Fall Summit, featuring Professor Connel Fullenkamp, a financial markets expert.

Whether you're just beginning to invest or wondering if your current strategy is still the right one, this session will take a clear-eyed look at traditional investments and alternative options.
Best of all? The event is free for rheumatologists and APPs (no industry reps, please).

📅 October 15
⏰ 7 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Take an hour to invest in something beyond your clinical practice:
👉 Register today: https://ncrheum.org/2026-fall-summit/

2026 Fall Summit NCRA 2026 Fall Summit October 15, 7pm Virtually via Zoom Open NCRA members and friends Abstract: Here’s a (Young) Professional’s Guide to Getting Started (or Getting Right) with Investing: Advice from a Long-Term Market Observer and Investor. People with money to invest have an ...

10/05/2026

🏛️ NCRA takes rheumatology advocacy to Washington, D.C.!

Last week, NCRA traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with North Carolina representatives and Senators and advocate for issues that directly impact rheumatology patients and practices.

Our conversations focused on important challenges facing access to care:

• Prior authorization
• Step therapy
• PBM reform
• Underwater biosimilars and the financial challenges they can create for practices

These conversations matter. When policies create barriers to treatment, rheumatology practices and, most importantly, patients feel the impact.

NCRA is proud to bring the voice of North Carolina rheumatology to our nation’s capital and to work with policymakers toward solutions that support timely access to appropriate care.

Advocacy is an important part of advancing rheumatology, and NCRA is committed to keeping these conversations moving forward.

09/29/2026

NCRA knows that for people living with rheumatic disease, significant barriers to timely treatment exist.

When treatment is delayed, the impact can extend far beyond frustration. Uncontrolled disease can affect function, quality of life and long-term health.

So, what can be done?

Our latest NCRA article takes a closer look at PBMs, step therapy, medication access, recent progress in North Carolina and why continued advocacy matters.

📖 Read our full article and learn more about the challenges facing patients and rheumatology practices.

https://ncrheum.org/pbms-step-therapy-medication-access/

PBMs, Step Therapy & Medication Access Article contributed by Prarthana Jain, DO MPH For rheumatologists, choosing the right medication is often only the first step. Actually getting that medication into a patient’s hands can be much harder. Prior authorizations, formulary restrictions, pharmacy b...

09/24/2026

🏆 We have TWO awards open for submissions!

These celebrate outstanding leadership, service, innovation and contributions to rheumatology in North Carolina.

🌟 NCRA Distinguished APP Award

Recognizing an exceptional North Carolina rheumatology APP who demonstrates excellence in areas such as patient care, leadership, education, research, innovation, advocacy or service.

🌟 NCRA President’s Award

Recognizing a North Carolina rheumatologist whose accomplishments and leadership have made a meaningful contribution to the specialty through clinical care, research, education, advocacy, innovation or service.

Think of someone who goes above and beyond? Nominate them today!

👉 Learn more and nominate for the Distinguished APP Award

https://ncrheum.org/2027-ncra-distinguished-app-award/

👉 Learn more and nominate for the President’s Award

https://ncrheum.org/2027-ncra-presidents-award-nominations/

2027 NCRA President’s Award Nominations Nominations accepted until to January 31, 2027. Nominate a wonderful NCRA member today! The President’s Award recognizes accomplishments, outstanding innovation, and/or exemplary leadership among current or past North Carolina Rheumatology Physicians. Awar...

09/23/2026

Our NCRA Fall Summit is right around the corner!

Join us October 15 at 7 p.m., when Professor Connel Fullenkamp, an expert in financial market development and regulation, will lead “Here’s a (Young) Professional’s Guide to Getting Started (or Getting Right) with Investing.”

Whether you're early in your career or simply want to revisit your approach to investing, this is an opportunity to gain perspective that can benefit you well beyond the clinic.

📅 October 15 | 7 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom
🎟️ Free to NCRA members and friends (no industry reps, please)

👉 Register today:

2026 Fall Summit NCRA 2026 Fall Summit October 15, 7pm Virtually via Zoom Open NCRA members and friends Abstract: Here’s a (Young) Professional’s Guide to Getting Started (or Getting Right) with Investing: Advice from a Long-Term Market Observer and Investor. People with money to invest have an ...

09/21/2026

🏆 Know an outstanding rheumatology APP?

It’s time to recognize them!

NCRA is accepting nominations for the 2027 NCRA Distinguished APP Award, honoring an exceptional North Carolina rheumatology advanced practice practitioner whose work has made a meaningful impact.

Nominees may demonstrate excellence in areas including:

✨ Clinical care
✨ Leadership
✨ Education and mentorship
✨ Research and scholarship
✨ Innovation
✨ Advocacy
✨ Service to the rheumatology community

Think you know an APP who consistently goes above and beyond?

👉

2027 NCRA Distinguished APP Award Nominations accepted until to January 31, 2027. This award recognize accomplishments, outstanding innovation, and/or exemplary leadership among North Carolina Rheumatology Advanced Practice Practioners. The Distinguished APP award recognizes accomplishments, outstan...

09/18/2026

For people living with rheumatic disease, prior authorizations, formulary restrictions, PBM requirements and step therapy can create significant barriers to timely treatment.

Our new NCRA article takes a closer look at PBMs, step therapy and medication access.

📖 Read the full article and learn more about the challenges facing patients and rheumatology practices.

PBMs, Step Therapy & Medication Access Article contributed by Prarthana Jain, DO MPH For rheumatologists, choosing the right medication is often only the first step. Actually getting that medication into a patient’s hands can be much harder. Prior authorizations, formulary restrictions, pharmacy b...