Rheumnow Podcast

Features Dr. Jack Cush

Panelists: Vanessa Hill, NP-C Lindsay Tom, PA-C Barb Slusher Jack Cush, MD

Discover intriguing connections between Psoriatic Arthritis and Familial Mediterranean Fever. Learn about a groundbreaking GLP-1 trial for knee osteoarthritis that reveals promising results. Uncover how certain lab tests could accurately predict systemic sclerosis-related lung issues. Delve into the importance of skin cancer screenings for immunosuppressed patients. Plus, explore the impact of hydroxychloroquine on ocular toxicity and the yearning for more training among healthcare providers in rheumatology.

Join nurse practitioner Lisa Carnago, who integrates APPs into specialties at Duke, and physician assistant Daric A. Mueller, who enhances patient access in rheumatology. They navigate the complexities of APP roles, addressing misconceptions about their independence and ability to manage complex cases. The conversation dives into optimal training for APPs, patient satisfaction rates, and barriers to hiring. With insights on mentorship and care models, they reveal how APPs can elevate healthcare while enjoying professional growth.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and regulatory reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.  B cell drugs in SLE and ITP, biomarkers in GCA & PSS and great videos by APPs.

Join Audrey Gibson, a physician assistant in rheumatology, Benjamin A. Smith, also a physician assistant, and Emma Babbage, a rheumatology nurse from Tasmania, as they tackle complex cases in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They discuss treatment decisions, including the challenges of methotrexate and switching to JAK inhibitors. The conversation dives into practical clinic strategies, patient preferences, and the importance of adherence. They also share insights on steroid management and holistic care, providing valuable tips for healthcare professionals.

Drs. Jack Cush and Artie Kavanaugh preview the upcoming RNL 2026 meeting in Dallas, TX on February 7 & 8, 2026. Register at RheumNow.Live Below is the program: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 7:50 - 8:00 am Welcome & Introductions Drs. Cush and Kavanaugh 8:00 - 10:00 am POD I - Rheumatoid Arthritis: Achieving Better Outcomes 8:00 – 8:30 am Mortality in RA: A Story of Decline, Delay, or Plateau? Elena Myasoedova, MD 8:30 – 9:00 am The Mucosal Hypothesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Kristen Demoruelle, MD 9:00 – 9:30 am ILD in RA – Recent Advances Jeffrey Sparks, MD 9:30 – 10:00 am Rheumatoid arthritis Faculty Q&A 10:00 - 10:15 am STEP 1: Placebos in Rheumatology Andreas Kerschbaumer, MD 10:15 -10:30 am STEP 2: Disease Modification in Osteoarthritis Tuhina Neogi, MD PhD 10:30 – 11:05 Break 11:05 - 12:10 pm POD II – Advancing Practice 11:05 – 11:30 am Obesity & Inflammation: Weight Management in Rheumatology Uzma Haque, MD 11:30 - 11:55 am Mitigating risk in Rheum Pts undergoing surgery Susan Goodman, MD 11:55 -12:10 pm Practice Panel Faculty Q&A 12:10 – 1:00pm Lunch 1:00 – 3:00 pm POD III – Decisions in Psoriatic Arthritis 1:00 - 1:30 pm Paradoxical Psoriasis and Strange Reactions Joseph Merola, MD 1:30 - 2:00 pm Why Do Plain X rays in Psoriatic Arthritis Arthur Kavanaugh, MD 2:00 - 2:30 pm IL-23 vs IL-17 inhibitors in PsA Andre Ribero, MD 2:30 - 3:00 pm Past, Present & Future of Gout Robert Terkeltaub, MD 3:00 - 3:30 pm Psoriatic Faculty Q&A 3:30 - 4:05 pm Break 4:05 - 4:20 pm STEP 3: Helicobacter Pylori update Byron Cryer, MD 4:20 - 4:35 pm STEP 4: History of Gout Robert Terkeltaub, MD 4:35 – 5:15 pm Keynote Address: 50 Years of Osteoporosis Michael McClung, MD 5:30 – 7:00 pm Reception Sunday, February 8, 2026 Day TOPIC Speaker 7:50-8:00 am Welcome & Introductions Drs. Cush and Kavanaugh 8:00 - 10:00 am POD IV – Staying Ahead of Spondyloarthritis 8:00 – 8:30 am Diagnosing Axial Spondyloarthritis in 2026 Denis Poddubnyy, MD 8:30 – 9:00 am Spondyloarthritis Complications Jessica Walsh, MD 9:00 – 9:30 am 2026 Advances in Spondyloarthritis Catherine Bakewell, MD 9:30 – 10:00 am Spondyloarthritis Faculty Q&A 10:00 – 10:15 am STEP 5: Asymptomatic Elevation of CK Rojit Agarwal, MD MS 10:15 – 10:30 am STEP 6: Update on Myositis Antibodies Rojit Agarwal, MD MS 10:30 – 11:05 am Break 11:05 – 12:10 am POD V – Highlights in Autoimmune Disease 11:05 - 11:35 am SMILE Study – Hydroxychloroquine in ANA+ Arthralgia Nancy Olsen, MD 11:35 – 12:05 am Sjogren's Treatment Landscape in 2026 Matthew Baker, MD 12:05 - 12:20 pm Autoimmune Faculty Q&A 12:20 – 1:25 pm POD VI - Large & Small Vessel Vasculitis 12:20 – 12:45 pm Embracing Relapses in PMR and GCA Michael Putman, MD 12:45 - 1:10 pm Small vessel vasculitis Clay Cockerell, MD 1:10 - 1:25 pm Vasculitis Faculty Q&A 1:30 pm Adjourn

QD300: Flare or Beware (featuring Lindsay Tom, PA-C and Phong Nguyen, MD) QD301: CAR-T Cell Therapy for Lupus  (featuring Philip Mease, MD and Cayla Alexander, DNP) QD302: Unweanable PMR  (featuring Jack Cush, MD, and Leilani Law, APN) QD303: Weakness with Fibromyalgia  (featuring Jack Cush, MD, and Leilani Law, APN)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, including info on scleroderma, dermatomyositis and malignancy, rheumatologist and APP salaries concerns.

Watch our kickoff webinar for this month's Mission: APP — Partners in Care campaign. Our panel of rheumatologists and experienced advanced practice providers share insights into hiring, onboarding, training, compensation, and more. Panelists: Philip Mease, MD Cayla Alexander, DNP, ARNP Kori Dewing, DNP, ANP-BC, ARNP Jack Cush, MD, Moderator