M E D I A A D V I S O R Y
EVENT: ‘The Power of Precision Medicine’ Theme of Living Healthy With Arthritis Conference, Feb. 16
Accomplished physician-scientist and transformational leader Dr. Kenneth Ramos, an expert on genetics and genomic medicine, will deliver the keynote address at the University of Arizona Arthritis Center’s 17th annual conference for those living with arthritis — and those who care for them.
DATE/TIME: SATURDAY, FEB. 16, 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (registration begins at 8 a.m.)
LOCATION: Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, DuVal Auditorium, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson
WRITERS/EDITORS NOTE: Media are welcome to cover this event and presenters will be available for interviews; please contact Tracy Shake, cell 520-240-0790, shake@arthritis.arizona.edu. The conference schedule follows and also is available at arthritis.arizona.edu/annual-conference.
TUCSON, Ariz. – Internationally recognized expert on genetics and genomic medicine Kenneth S. Ramos, MD, PhD, PharmB, will deliver the keynote address, “The Power of Precision Medicine,” at the University of Arizona Arthritis Center’s 17th Annual Living Healthy With Arthritis Conference, Saturday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The conference will be held at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, DuVal Auditorium, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m.
Dr. Ramos will describe the emerging medical discipline that involves using genomic information about an individual — a person’s genes and DNA — as part of their clinical care. He will explain how knowledge gained from genomic medicine research may advance our understanding of biology and disease and be used to improve public health in the future.
He will detail the principles of precision medicine, described by the National Library of Medicine as, “According to the Precision Medicine Initiative, ‘an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle for each person.’ This approach will allow doctors and researchers to predict more accurately which treatment and prevention strategies for a particular disease will work in which groups of people. It is in contrast to a one-size-fits-all approach, in which disease treatment and prevention strategies are developed for the average person, with less consideration for the differences between individuals.”
Dr. Ramos is associate vice president for precision health sciences at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, where he is responsible for developing precision health strategies and approaches to health outcomes and health-care delivery. He is professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and director of the UA Health Sciences Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine and the MD/PhD Program at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. He was designated as an associate of the National Academy of Sciences in 2008 and elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2015.
Conference registration is $20 per person and includes morning refreshments and lunch. Free parking is available in the Banner – University Medical Center Tucson Visitor/Patient Parking Garage and in nearby UA Zone 1 lots. For more information, please visit the UA Arthritis Center website at arthritis.arizona.edu/annual-conference, email livinghealthy@arthritis.arizona.edu, or call the UA Arthritis Center at 520-626-5040.
The Living Healthy With Arthritis Conference will cover information about health and services that help improve daily life and promote strengthening the mind and body to manage arthritis. Breakout sessions promoting patient empowerment through management of arthritis will feature physicians and alternative therapy practitioners.
Schedule
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Check-In and Expo Visitation
9:00 a.m. The Art of Breathing (optional)
Learn and practice breathing techniques to expand your health, vitality and relaxation.
Karma Kientzler, Founding Fitness Director, Canyon Ranch Health Resort
9:45 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
C. Kent Kwoh, MD, Director, University of Arizona Arthritis Center; Chief, Division of Rheumatology; Professor of Medicine and Medical Imaging, UA College of Medicine – Tucson; The Charles A. L. and Suzanne M. Stephens Endowed Chair in Rheumatology
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. The Eva M. Holtby Endowed Keynote Presentation: The Power of Precision Medicine
A transformational leader’s discussion about precision health strategies that will change the landscape of medicine and patient care.
Kenneth S. Ramos, MD, PhD, PharmB
Associate Vice President for Precision Health Sciences, UA Health Sciences
Director, Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UA Health Sciences
Director, MD-PhD Program, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Elected Member of the National Academy of Medicine
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. Lunch and Expo Visitation
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Breakout Session I
A. Advancing the Health of Generations to Come: The All of Us Research Program Impact
Be a part of the NIH’s All of Us Research Program initiative to accelerate research and improve health.
Amanda E. Sokan, PhD, MHA, LLB, Regional Associate Program Director, UA-Banner Health All of Us Research Program; joint faculty appointment, UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
B. Gout Under the Microscope
The detailed definition, latest research advancements and treatments.
Shariq Chudhri, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
C. Lifestyle Impact: The Healthy Weight Philosophy
Scientifically-proven tools to achieve and maintain optimal weight.
Mike Siemens, MS, Corporate Director of Exercise Physiology, Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort
D. Pharmacogenomics: The Intersection of Medications and our DNA
Understanding how genetics affect our response to medications.
Todd Vanderah, PhD, Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology; Professor of Anesthesiology and Neurology, UA College of Medicine – Tucson; member, UA BIO5 Institute.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Session II
E. Knowledge is Power ... What Can You Learn from Genetic Testing?
What you can learn from the various forms of genetic testing and how to use this information.
Valerie Schaibley, PhD, Administrator, Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UA Health Sciences.
F. The Latest Advancements in the Treatment of Scleroderma
Leading-edge treatment approaches, including medications, physical therapy and research.
Alicia Rodriguez-Pla, MD, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
G. Movement as Medicine
How regular activity can improve your health and reduce your disease risk.
Karma Kientzler, Founding Fitness Director, Canyon Ranch Health Resort
H. The Pursuit of Happiness: Eight Scientifically Proven Techniques
Simple changes you can make to obtain a happier life.
Robert Logan, MBA, Assistant Dean for External and Corporate Relations, UA College of Science
3:00 p.m. Closing
About the University of Arizona Arthritis Center
The UA Arthritis Center, a Center of Excellence at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, is a research leader focused on identifying the causes of arthritis and developing improved technologies for diagnosing, measuring and treating the disease. For more information: arthritis.arizona.edu
About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. The UA Health Sciences includes the UA Colleges of Medicine (Phoenix and Tucson), Nursing, Pharmacy and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the growing Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, the UA Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona and the greater Southwest to provide cutting-edge health education, research, patient care and community outreach services. A major economic engine, the UA Health Sciences employs approximately 4,000 people, has approximately 800 faculty members and garners more than $140 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram)