Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MS, MPS

Dr. Jeffrey Curtis is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Curtis received a Medical Degree (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, OR. He completed a graduate program in Clinical Informatics at Stanford University and received his Master of Science (MS) degree in epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. He is board certified in both rheumatology and clinical informatics. Dr. Curtis is a member of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE), the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), and the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). He has been on the editorial board for Arthritis & Rheumatism, Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety (PDS) and Arthritis Care and Research (AC&R). He has authored more than 450 peer-reviewed manuscripts, review articles and book chapters.

Disclosures: Consultant: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Corrona, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Radius, Roche, UCB / Research Grants: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Corrona, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Radius, Roche, UCB

Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C

Shannon Ghizzoni is a physician assistant at Columbus Arthritis Center in Columbus, OH where she has practiced rheumatology for 13 years. She obtained an undergraduate degree in Health and Fitness Management at Capital University and also a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from The Ohio State University. After graduating from OSU, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences/Physician Assistant Studies at the Medical College of Ohio. Shannon was recognized by the Arthritis Foundation in 2018 as the Columbus region’s Jingle Bell Run Medical Honoree. She also teaches rheumatology studies at the Ohio Dominican University Physician Assistant Program. Shannon cares deeply about her patients and realizes the huge impact in their lives that can be made by effectively treating the various autoimmune diseases, decreasing the associated symptoms, and increasing their physical functioning.

Disclosures: Speakers Bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Novartis / Consultant: AbbVie, Novartis

Linda Grinnell-Merrick, MS, NP-BC

Linda Grinnell-Merrick currently resides in New York where she works as the lead nurse practitioner in the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She studied at the University of Rochester, has experience in surgery, dialysis, and solid organ transplant. Linda has been practicing rheumatology since 2012 where she found her true passion. She joined the board of the Rheumatology Nurses Society in 2013 as the Chapter Chair and founded the first RNS chapter in Upstate NY. She was President of the RNS from 2017 to 2019 and is currently the Immediate Past President. She is passionate and enjoys educating nurses, APP’s, and all health care providers so patients can be provided with the highest quality care possible.

Disclosures: Speakers Bureau: Celgene, Janssen, AbbVie, Novartis, Sanofi / Consultant: Janssen, Novartis, Sandoz, AbbVie, Pfizer

Kamrin Macki, NP-C

Kamrin Macki is a nurse practitioner with Altru Health Systems in Grand Forks, ND. She has specialized in both inpatient and outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology for the past 19 years. Although her practice encompasses general gastroenterology, the majority of her independent practice is inflammatory bowel disease, liver failure/cirrhosis management, and chronic liver diseases.

She is adjunct faculty at the University of North Dakota and gives GI guest lectures for the medical students and nurse practitioner students.

In her clinic, there is always room for students. Rarely does a month go by without medical students, family practice residents, nurse practitioners or physician assistants doing Gastroenterology rotations with her.

Disclosures: Nothing to disclose

Cathy Patty-Resk, MSN, RN-BC, CPNP-BC

Cathy Patty-Resk currently resides in Michigan where she works as a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. She studied nursing at Wayne State University and has been practicing rheumatology since 2009. Cathy is recognized as a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, board-certified rheumatology nurse, President of the RNS, and an active member of the legislative advocacy team. She has served as the co-editor of and a contributor to the Core Curriculum for Rheumatology Nursing. Cathy currently serves as a founding executive board member of The Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) and an advisory board member to The Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG). She enjoys teaching nurse practitioner students pediatric rheumatology, getting them actively involved in real legislative advocacy and often continues serving as a mentor assisting with ongoing professional development and leadership.

Disclosures: Advisory Board: Novartis, Sandoz

Teri Puhalsky, RN, CRNI

Teri Puhalsky currently resides in Maryland where she works as an Infusion RN at Medstar Orthopedic Institute. She studied nursing at Excelisor College School of Nursing and has been practicing rheumatology since 2007. Teri received the Outstanding Clinical Performance Award as an LPN, obtained her CRNI in 2012, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International-PhiPi Chapter. She strives for positive patient outcomes and firmly believes that collaboration with the healthcare team is critical for chronic disease management. With a patient-focused and evidence-based nursing practice, she knows all patients can receive quality, safe, and effective care.

Disclosures: Nothing to disclose

Jennifer Tinkler, FNP-C, DCNP

Jennifer Tinkler is board certified in Dermatology and has been working in Dermatology for 15 years. She has been a principe investigator for the CORRONA National Psoriasis Study. She specializes in psoriasis and is a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She lives in Northern Minnesota and works in multiple clinics throughout North Dakota. As a recent empty nester, she has new found spare time for a telemedicine business and manages a newly formed AirBNB business.

Disclosures: Speakers Bureau: Novartis

Vickie Sayles, MHA, BSN, RN-BC, CRNI

Vickie Sayles currently resides in Ohio where she works as a clinical nurse manager for the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She studied nursing at Ohio University, obtained her BSN in 2008, her Masters in Healthcare Administration in 2019, and has been practicing rheumatology since 2008. Vickie was recognized as a “Tier 1” leader and volunteers for various projects both within and outside of the Cleveland Clinic. She has board certifications in Ambulatory Nursing, Rheumatology Nursing, and Infusion Nursing and is a Content Item Writer for the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Disclosures: Consultant: Celgene, Sandoz, Guidepoint, Gilead Sciences