America's Premier Rheumatology Symposium

The Congress of Clinical Rheumatology, previously known as Rheumatology on the Beach, started in 1983 as a Rheumatology Update course in Birmingham, Alabama, organized by David McLain, M.D. with the guidance of Charles Porter, M.D. There were two successful meetings in Birmingham, but limited interest from physicians outside of Alabama. As a result, in 1985, the meeting was moved to Destin, Florida and renamed “Rheumatology on the Beach,” with half-day sessions to allow time for participants to enjoy the surroundings. The meeting has since grown significantly, with physicians attending from various parts of the world. In 2022, 1300+ physicians and practitioners, mostly specializing in rheumatology, attended the meeting from 45 states, 6 provinces of Canada, and 11 countries, with many considering it the best meeting they attend all year.