The Maureen Worron Sauvé Memorial Medical Education Series (CME):
What's New in Systemic Sclerosis -- From Today's Evidence to Tomorrow's Care
Target Audience: Rheumatologists
Secondary Audience: Family practitioners, ER physicians, critical care physicians, internists, nephrologists, cardiologists, respirologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and students.
Programme:
All sessions will have 20 min presentation and 10 min Q & A, with an expert panel at the end as well.
Registration is now officially open for our upcoming Continuing Medical Education (CME) event focused on Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)! Join leading experts and colleagues for an exciting and practical update on what’s new in SSc care — from emerging therapies and evolving clinical approaches to the latest advances shaping patient management.
All speakers will be presenting in person, creating an engaging and interactive experience, while attendees will have the flexibility to participate either in person or virtually through our hybrid format.
This educational event is designed exclusively for medical professionals, including physicians, trainees, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, and is not open to patients or the general public. Whether you are new to SSc or actively involved in complex care, this promises to be a dynamic opportunity to learn, connect, and stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
Agenda Time Table:
Friday August 21st, 2026 | 8:30am - Noon EST | In-Person and Virtual (Hybrid)*
*Zoom links will be provided after registration, 24 hours before the event.
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Rheumatology Association. You may claim a maximum of 2.5 hours (credits are automatically calculated).
Overall Learning Objectives
At the end of this learning activity, participants will be able to:
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Describe the multisystem manifestations of systemic sclerosis and their implications for comprehensive patient care.
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Review current evidence-based approaches to the management of systemic sclerosis, including emerging therapies, immunosuppressive strategies, and stem cell transplantation.
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Discuss best practices for the prevention and management of complications associated with systemic sclerosis, including interstitial lung disease, gastrointestinal involvement, and infection risk.
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Evaluate recent advances in systemic sclerosis research and their potential impact on future clinical practice.
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Apply a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment, treatment, and long-term management of patients with systemic sclerosis, including appropriate referral and patient support strategies.
Registration Fees:
Medical Doctors - $50
Allied Health Professionals - $25
Students and Trainees – FREE
Speakers:
Dr. Nathan Hambly
Associate Professor, Medicine McMaster University
Respirologist and Clinical lead of the Firestone Institute Pulmonary Hypertension
Dr. Sindhu Johnson
Professor of Medcine, University of Toronto
Director, Toronto Scleroderma Program;
Dr. Janet Pope
Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Division Head in Rheumatology St. Joseph's Health Centre, London, ON
Dr. Mohammed Osman
Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta
Dr. Nancy Maltez
Rheumatologist, Clinician Investigator, Lecturer
Division of Rheumatology at the Ottawa Hospital
In Person Moderator: Dr. Maggie Larché
Virtual Moderator: Dr. Carlos Toro Gutierrez
Learning Objectives/CanMEDS:
Title: Advances in SSc-ILD: Emerging Evidence and New Therapeutic Options - Dr. Nathan Hambly
At the end of each of the following presentations participants will be able to:
1. Review the mechanisms of action, indications, and clinical applications of emerging medications for the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD).
2. Evaluate the latest evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of new and emerging therapies for patients with ILD.
3. Identify opportunities to optimize patient outcomes by facilitating timely access to appropriate emerging therapies for individuals living with ILD.
CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Scholar, Health Advocate
Title: Immunosuppression and vaccinations with those living with systemic sclerosis - Dr. Sindhu Johnson
At the end of each of the following presentations participants will be able to:
1. Review current guidelines and evidence regarding the safety, efficacy, and timing of vaccinations in individuals with systemic sclerosis receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
2. Identify strategies to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable infections in individuals with systemic sclerosis through appropriate vaccination recommendations and preventive care practices.
3. 3.Demonstrate effective communication techniques when discussing vaccination benefits, risks, and timing with individuals living with systemic sclerosis to support informed decision-making.
CanMEDS: Medical expert, Health Advocate, Communicator
Title: Comprehensive GI Care in Scleroderma - Dr. Janet Pope
At the end of each of the following presentations participants will be able to:
1. Review the gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic sclerosis across the entire GI tract, from oral involvement and dysphagia to anorectal dysfunction and fecal incontinence.
2. Evaluate current evidence-based approaches for the assessment and management of gastrointestinal complications in patients with systemic sclerosis.
3. Identify strategies to improve quality of life and reduce the burden of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis through timely recognition and appropriate intervention.
CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Scholar, Health Advocate
Title: Systemic Sclerosis: Progress in Research and Patient Outcomes - Dr. Mo Osman
At the end of each of the following presentations participants will be able to:
1. Review recent advances in systemic sclerosis research and their potential implications for future patient care and treatment strategies.
2. Describe emerging therapeutic targets and innovative treatment approaches currently being investigated for systemic sclerosis.
3. Discuss emerging research findings with patients in a balanced and understandable manner, addressing both potential benefits and current limitations of investigational therapies.
CanMEDS: Scholar, Medical Expert, Communicator
Title: Advanced Cellular Therapies: A New Era in Treating Systemic Sclerosis - Dr. Nancy Maltez
At the end of each of the following presentations participants will be able to:
1. Review recent advances in cell-based therapies for systemic sclerosis, including stem cell transplantation and emerging regenerative medicine approaches.
2. Describe the mechanisms, potential benefits, and risks of cell-based therapies being investigated for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.
3. Recognize the potential impact of cell-based therapies on long-term outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with systemic sclerosis.
CanMEDS: Scholar, Medical Expert, Health Advocate
Planning Committee:
Dr. Maggie Larché - Chair
Dr. Nancy Maltez - Co-Chair
Dr. Inge Schabort - Family Medicine
Stephanie Densmore-Farnworth - CSRG National Coordinator
Dr. Carlos Toro Gutierrez - Fellow in Rheumatology
carlos.torogutierrez@medportal.ca
John Malcolmson - Executive Director of Scleroderma Canada
We gratefully acknowledge the overall funding support for this CME program provided in partnership with Scleroderma Canada. We thank our partners for their commitment to advancing education and improving care for individuals living with scleroderma.
