Annual Meeting Press Center
Welcome to the Press Center for ACR Convergence 2025, the American College of Rheumatology’s premier event. This year’s conference promises to be an exceptional gathering of the field’s leading experts, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing the science and treatment of rheumatic diseases.
In the Press Center, you will find all the resources you need to cover the conference’s exciting developments. Our team is here to assist you with media materials, interview coordination, expert commentary, and any other support you need. Whether you’re reporting on groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, or the latest developments in patient care, we are committed to ensuring you have access to the information and contacts necessary for comprehensive and timely coverage.
Thank you for joining us and your continued support in sharing about the rheumatology specialty. Don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions or needs.
- New Advances in Ultrasound Diagnostics for Psoriatic Arthritis to Be Presented at ACR Convergence 2025
- New Research at ACR Convergence 2025 Highlights Potential of GLP-1 Therapies in Rheumatic Disease Management
- CAR-T Cell Therapies Show Promise for Autoimmune Disease at ACR Convergence 2025
- ACR Convergence 2025 Sheds Light on Disparities, Age-Related Trends, and Epidemiology in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
- ACR Convergence 2025 Highlights New Insights into Pregnancy Outcomes and Maternal-Fetal Health in Rheumatic Diseases
- Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH, Honored with 2025 ACR Presidential Gold Medal Award
- American College of Rheumatology Announces 2025 Award Recipients
- Thea Vliet Vlieland, MD, PhD, Named 2025 ARP Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- New Gout Therapies Show Promise in Phase III Trials at ACR Convergence 2025
- Artificial Intelligence Takes Center Stage at ACR Convergence 2025: Breakthrough Research Advances Diagnosis, Treatment, and Patient Outcomes in Rheumatic Diseases
- New Research at ACR Convergence 2025 Demonstrates Impact of RISE Registry Data on Rheumatology Outcomes
- William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, Named 89th President of the American College of Rheumatology
- Rebecca J. Cleveland, PhD, MPH, Named 60th President of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals
This year, we are offering expert commentary from the following rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals to provide additional insight about various research presented at the meeting. Registered press interested in this service may contact Teri Arnold (tarnold@rheumatology.org) for assistance coordinating interviews. Please provide the session or poster title and date (if applicable) for which you are requesting commentary.
Our experts are:
Donald Thomas, MD, FACP, FACR, RhMSUS, is in private practice specializing in lupus in Greenbelt, Maryland and teaches as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
He authored the Lupus Foundation’s seal-approved book The Lupus Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers from Johns Hopkins Press and runs a lupus educational blog and Face Book Page called “The Lupus Encyclopedia” with over 31,000 followers worldwide.
He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Rheumatology, is Chair Emeritus of the Medical Advisory Board of the Lupus Foundation MidAtlantic chapter, was President of the Rheumatism Society of the District of Columbia in 2016, and is the Immediate Past Chair of the National Board of Directors of the Sjögren’s Foundation.
Howard H. Yang, MD, RhMSUS, is a rheumatologist who practices in Santa Monica. He is a generalist who treats the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, myositis, gout, and osteoporosis. He believes in the whole well-being of the patient instead just the specialized area of the wellness, and is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.
Although he is a general rheumatologist, Dr. Yang has a specialized interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound. He earned his Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Certification in Rheumatology (RhMSUS) from the American College of Rheumatology and frequently uses ultrasound to guide injections and improve their accuracy at the wrist, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.
Dr. Yang is a Southern California native, who grew up in Orange County. He received his medical degree from St. George's University. He then completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Hawaii on the beautiful island of Oahu and later completed his rheumatological training at Loma Linda University. He speaks fluent Mandarin and Taiwanese.
Amy Sargious Kehl, MD, RhMSUS, is an adult rheumatologist with board certification in Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Dr. Kehl is a native of Pasadena and graduated with honors and Phi Beta Kappa distinction from UCLA with a BS in Psychobiology and minors in Anthrolopology and Public Health. She went on to obtain her medical degree at UCSF and completed residency in internal medicine at UCSD. Following completion of fellowship in rheumatology at UCSD and Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Kehl began her career as a clinician educator at UCLA. She transitioned to a clinical rheumatology practice in the Bay Area for several years prior to relocating to the Los Angeles area.
Dr. Kehl is a strong patient advocate and enjoys fostering close relationships with her patients. Outside of the physician setting, she has authored peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters focusing on spondyloarthropathies, lupus, as well as the link between the microbiome, gut, and arthritis. She continues to be active in clinical research, and she maintains a passion for medical education of medical students and trainees.
Shailendra Singh, MD, FACP, FACR, is a board-certified rheumatologist at Unity Health. He earned his medical degree from the University College of Medical Sciences, completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Johns Hopkins University, and pursued fellowships in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Virginia and Rheumatology at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Singh is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and the American College of Rheumatology (FACR).
His clinical interests include autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies, Gout and age-related musculoskeletal disorders, with a strong focus on compassionate, comprehensive patient care.
Elena Schiopu, MD, is the Director of Clinical Trials for the Division of Rheumatology. She graduated from “Gr.T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania and did her medical training at Robert Wood Johnson medical school in New Jersey to Wayne State University in Detroit, after which she became faculty at University of Michigan in the Scleroderma Program, Director of the Myositis Program and the Rheumatology Lead for the combined Oncology-Rheumatology Initiative in immune checkpoint inhibitors. Her clinical research includes the first randomized controlled trial in myositis (RIM trial) and developing outcome measures in Scleroderma (CRISS) and Myositis (TIS), StopRA, photoacoustic imaging in Rheumatic structures.
She currently serves in the scientific committee of the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS), and was a member of the University of Michigan IRB, the University of Michigan Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) on the President’s and Provost’s COVID-19 Faculty Council in 2020, and the first rheumatologist to mentor a team from the University of Michigan Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) Graduate Innovative Design in Biomedical Engineering course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Arthur M. Mandelin II, MD/PhD, RMSK, RhMSUS, completed his rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he also conducted post-doctoral research under Dr. Richard Pope into apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis. After completing the fellowship, Dr. Mandelin was proud to be selected to stay on as a member of the faculty at Northwestern, where he is a co-investigator on several industry-sponsored trials. He carries both the ACR’s RhMSUS certification and an ARDMS RMSK registration in musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Dr. Mandelin launched Northwestern University’s first-ever training program in musculoskeletal ultrasonography for rheumatology Fellows and is an active participant in the REASON group and the NIH / NIAMS Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases (AMP® AIM) Program, which are multi-center research collaborations devoted to using ultrasound guidance to obtain minimally invasive synovial tissue biopsies in autoimmune diseases.
Cuoghi Edens, MD, FAAP, is a medpeds rheumatologist board-certified in both rheumatology and pediatric rheumatology. Dr. Edens treats children and adults suffering from a wide array of rheumatic diseases. Due to her combined adult and pediatric rheumatology training, her clinical practice centers around teens and young adults diagnosed with rheumatic diseases and their healthcare transition into adult-centered care. She is also cares for pregnant or preconception patients with rheumatic diagnoses.
She is a national leader in reproductive health and rheumatology research across the age spectrum. She is the co-leader of the CARRA Reproductive Health Work Group. She is a strong advocate for pediatric rheumatic diseases, rheumatology medical education, and reproductive health knowledge and access.
Howard Blumstein, MD, FACR, joined Rheumatology Associates of Long Island in 2005. He graduated summa cum laude from Binghamton University with a BS in Biology and earned his medical degree from SUNY Buffalo. He completed his internal medicine residency at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2003 and his rheumatology fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in 2005.
Dr. Blumstein is in full-time clinical practice and the managing partner at RALI. He is also a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stony Brook University Hospital and participates in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program. Dr. Blumstein has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Rheumatology since 2016.
Dr. Blumstein is active in the American College of Rheumatology and has served as a volunteer on a variety of councils, committees, and task forces. He is currently a member-at-large for the board of directors at the American College of Rheumatology.
Jonathan M. Greer, MD, FACR, FACP, is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is also affiliate clinical assistant professor of biomedical science at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton as well as at the Miller school of medicine at the University of Miami. He has served as an associate rheumatologist and president of Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates in West Palm Beach.
Dr. Greer earned his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. He performed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. He completed his fellowship in clinical immunology, rheumatology, and allergy at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville.
Dr. Greer maintains a busy clinical practice while also teaching medical students, residents, and fellows about rheumatic diseases. He has also served as a clinical investigator focusing on several rheumatology related studies. Dr. Greer has given numerous presentations on rheumatoid arthritis, updates on osteoporosis, chronic pain management, and the diagnosis and management of gout, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and osteoarthritis.
Joseph Huffstutter, MD, is a community-based rheumatologist who has practiced at Arthritis Associates since 1984 in the Chattanooga area. He is a past president of the Tennessee Rheumatology Society and a master of the American College of Rheumatology. He is the ACR advisor to AMA CPT, and the president-elect of the Tennessee Medical Association. He has authored more than twenty publications in peer-reviewed journals and participated in numerous presentations. He has been the principal investigator in numerous clinical trials.
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Additionally, you may not use the ACR Convergence 2025 logo, company name and logo, nor recreations of the meeting or company logo to imply affiliation. Acceptable titles of your coverage are as follows:
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The ACR reserves the right to request promotional activities violating any parts of this policy be edited or removed. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the loss of press credentials for future meetings.
ACR/ARP Board of Directors Announcements
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is pleased to announce the 2025–2026 executive committee for its board of directors. This dedicated group of professionals is poised to lead the ACR into a new era of excellence in rheumatology.
William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Tufts Medicine, and Co-Director of the Informatics Program at the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute serves as the ACR’s 89th president and will lead an executive committee that brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and dedication to the College. They are committed to providing ACR and ARP members with the resources they need to continue improving the care and outcomes for individuals with rheumatic diseases through education, research, and advocacy.
Meet Dr. Harvey, the 89th President of the American College of Rheumatology
The ACR names William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, as 89th President
The ACR/ARP is excited to announce that Rebecca J. Cleveland, PhD, MPH, has been appointed as the 60th president of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP), a division of the American College of Rheumatology.
Dr. Cleveland brings more than two decades of experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, and arthritis research to her leadership role, along with a deep commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration in rheumatology. As president, she will lead the ARP executive committee, driving initiatives that support the diverse needs of rheumatology professionals, including physical therapists, pharmacists, nurses, practice managers and others.
Under Dr. Cleveland’s leadership, the ARP board aims to enhance professional development, foster research collaboration, and promote equitable care for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Meet Dr. Cleveland, the 60th President of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals
The ARP names Rebecca J. Cleveland, PhD, MPH, as 60th President
ACR Convergence 2025 Awards
ACR Presidential Gold Medal
Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science has been honored with the American College of Rheumatology’s prestigious Presidential Gold Medal during ACR Convergence 2025. This esteemed award recognizes Dr. Matteson’s extraordinary contributions and unwavering commitment to the rheumatology field.
The Presidential Gold Medal is the highest award that the ACR can bestow and is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in rheumatology over an entire career.
ARP Lifetime Achievement Award
During ACR Convergence 2025, Thea Vliet Vlieland, MD, PT, PhD, Leiden University Medical Center, was honored with the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinguished accolade celebrates Dr. Poole’s remarkable career and enduring contributions to the field of rheumatology.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the ARP’s highest honor. It is awarded to individuals whose careers have demonstrated a sustained contribution to the field of rheumatology and rheumatology health professionals.
