Congress of Clinical Rheumatology – West 2026

September 17 - 20, Huntington Beach, CA

Clinically Relevant & Engaging

Join Us at CCR West 2026 in Huntington Beach, CA

Since 1983, the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) has been the premier destination for healthcare professionals seeking cutting-edge education and meaningful connection in the field of rheumatology.

Returning to the iconic shores of Huntington Beach, California, CCR West 2026 offers an immersive experience featuring 25+ hours of CME/MOC credits, dynamic presentations from internationally recognized pioneers, and a collaborative environment built to fuel your professional journey.

 

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Our Esteemed Faculty

Matthew C Baker, M,D., MS

Matthew C Baker, M,D., MS

Stanford University School of Medicine

Dr. Baker is the Associate Division Chief in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University. He received his bachelor's degree from Pomona College, his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and his master's degree in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from Stanford University. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his Rheumatology fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Baker has established a clinical research program that is focused on clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and bench-to-bedside translational research, with a focus on IgG4-related disease, Sjogren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sessions:

  • An Interactive Update on IgG4-Related Disease (September 17, 2026 3:10 pm - 4:10 pm)
  • Sjögren's Disease: Are There Effective Treatment Options? (September 19, 2026 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm)
Leonard Calabrese, D.O.

Leonard Calabrese, D.O.

Professor of Medicine

Cleveland Clinic

Professor of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
RJ Fasenmyer Chair of Clinical Immunology
Department of Rheumatic & Immunologic Diseases

Sessions:

  • mmunologic Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Rheumatic Disease or GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Immunology and Implications for Rheumatic Diseases (September 17, 2026 1:50 pm - 2:20 pm)
  • An Interactive Update on IgG4-Related Disease (September 17, 2026 3:10 pm - 4:10 pm)
Jeffrey R.Curtis, M.D., MPH, MS

Jeffrey R.Curtis, M.D., MPH, MS

Profesor

University of Alabama Birmingham

Sessions:

  • Neuroimmunology in Rheumatology (September 17, 2026 8:05 am - 8:55 am)
Alan L. Epstein, M.D.

Alan L. Epstein, M.D.

Clinical Professor of Medicine

Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania

Clinical Professor of Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Sessions:

  • Mysteries on the Beach (September 19, 2026 8:00 am - 8:40 am)
Alisa N. Femia, M.D.

Alisa N. Femia, M.D.

New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Associate Professor of Dermatology
Ronald O. Perelman Dept. of Dermatology
Director of Faculty Development
Director of Inpatient Dermatology
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
NYU Langone Medical Center

Sessions:

  • Cases From the Derm-Rheum Clinic (September 18, 2026 8:05 am - 8:55 am)
Lianne S. Gensler, M.D.

Lianne S. Gensler, M.D.

Professor

University of California San Francio School of Mediniec

Sessions:

  • What's New With Axial Spondyloarthritis (September 18, 2026 2:50 pm - 3:40 pm)
Laura Hummers, M.D., Sc.M.

Laura Hummers, M.D., Sc.M.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Sessions:

  • Determinants of Clinical Outcomes in Systemic Sclerosis (September 18, 2026 8:55 am - 9:45 am)
  • Scleroderma Interstitial Lung Disease: What's New and What's Next? (September 19, 2026 8:40 am - 9:30 am)
Tanaz A Kermani, M.D., MS

Tanaz A Kermani, M.D., MS

Clinical Professor

UCLA Medical Center

Sessions:

  • New Approaches to Treatment: Remission to Relapse in ANCA Associated Vasculitis (September 17, 2026 12:55 pm - 1:50 pm)
  • Assessment of Damage, Management of Relapses and Therapeutic Approaches in Large Vessel Vasculitis (September 18, 2026 10:10 am - 11:05 am)
Andreas Kerschbaumer, M.D., Ph.D.

Andreas Kerschbaumer, M.D., Ph.D.

Medical University of Vienna

Sessions:

  • Management Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis (September 17, 2026 10:05 am - 10:55 am)
  • Beyond Standard Therapy: Strategies for Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (September 18, 2026 11:05 am - 11:55 am)
Michael R. McClung, M.D., FACP, FACE

Michael R. McClung, M.D., FACP, FACE

Founding Director

Oregon Osteoporosis Center

Founding Director
Oregon Osteoporosis Center

Sessions:

  • Osteoporosis Update 2026 (September 20, 2026 8:20 am - 9:10 am)
  • Osteoporosis Therapy: Current Trends and Future Directions (September 20, 2026 9:20 am - 10:10 am)
Philip J. Mease, M.D.

Philip J. Mease, M.D.

Providence-Swedish Medical Center

Clinical Professor
University of Washington School of Medicine
Director Rheumatology Clinical Research Division
Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph Health

Sessions:

  • CAR T-Cell Therapy for Refractory Rheumatic Disease (September 17, 2026 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm)
  • Advances in the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis (September 19, 2026 9:30 am - 10:20 am)
Julie J. Paik, M.D., MHS

Julie J. Paik, M.D., MHS

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology
Co-Director Myositis Center
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Sessions:

  • Myositis Update 2026 (September 18, 2026 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm)
  • Diagnostic Pearls in Myositis (September 19, 2026 10:40 am - 11:30 am)
Michelle A Petri, M.D., MPH

Michelle A Petri, M.D., MPH

Professor

Johns Hopkins University School of Medinei

Sessions:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2026 (September 17, 2026 10:55 am - 11:45 am)
  • Advances and Emerging Therapies in SLE (September 18, 2026 11:55 am - 12:45 pm)
Traci J. Speed, M.D., Ph.D.

Traci J. Speed, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Johns Hoopkins School of Medicine

Sessions:

  • Pain in the Rheumatic Disease Patient Population (September 20, 2026 7:30 am - 8:20 am)
  • Treatment of Complex Pain Conditions (September 20, 2026 10:10 am - 11:00 am)
Ruth Ann Vleugels, M.D., MPH, MBA

Ruth Ann Vleugels, M.D., MPH, MBA

Professor

Harvard Medical School

Heidi and Scott C. Schuster Distinguished Chair in Dermatology
Founding Director, Autoimmune Skin Disease Program
Director, Connective Tissue Disease Clinics
Program Director, Dermatology-Rheumatology Fellowship
Associate COO, Mass General Brigham
Mass General Brigham Department of Dermatology
Professor, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Sessions:

  • Skin in Rheumatic Disease (September 17, 2026 8:55 am - 9:45 am)

Experience paradise at the
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Our host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, offers beachfront luxury just steps from the conference. Overflow accommodations are available at The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, in Huntington Beach. Click the link for more information on rates and availability

The Poster Rounding Session at the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) West on Friday, September 18, 2026, offers presenters the opportunity to receive detailed feedback on their research or clinical cases from engaged attendees. This interactive discussion in a group setting allows for a deeper understanding of the material, promotes networking, and facilitates potential collaborations.

Presenters can showcase their work to a broader audience, increasing the impact of their research or clinical cases. To submit a poster, individuals must be registered for the CCR event and follow the 2026 submission guidelines.


Key Benefits of the Poster Rounding Session

  • In-Depth Feedback: Presenters receive comprehensive feedback on their research or clinical cases from a group of interested and engaged subject matter experts.

  • Interactive Discussion: The group setting fosters interactive dialogue, enhancing the clinical and scientific understanding of the material presented.

  • Networking Opportunities: Presenters can connect with other researchers or clinicians with similar interests, facilitating professional relationships and potential future collaborations.

  • Broad Exposure: The session provides a platform to showcase work to a wide audience of conference attendees, increasing visibility and professional reach.

  • Increased Impact: Active engagement from attendees ensures that the clinical cases and research findings have a lasting impression on the rheumatology community.


Submission Note: Abstract and case submission portals for 2026 typically open mid-year. Ensure you are registered for CCR West 2026 in Huntington Beach to be eligible for participation.

CCR West 2026 Case Session

Mysteries on the Beach

An Interactive Stumpers Session for Challenging Clinical Cases

On Thursday, September 17, 2026, CCR West will host Mysteries on the Beach, an interactive clinical stumpers session moderated by Alan Epstein, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania.

This engaging session invites registered CCR West 2026 attendees to submit their most challenging, unusual, and educational clinical cases for review and discussion with faculty and peers.

Designed in the spirit of classic diagnostic problem-solving, Mysteries on the Beach brings difficult cases to light through concise presentations, audience discussion, and collaborative clinical reasoning.

Session Format

Cases should be presented as interactive “stumpers,” encouraging the audience to think through the diagnostic and clinical decision-making process.

Presentation Timing

Each selected presenter will have 15 minutes total, including approximately 10 minutes for the case presentation and 5 minutes for audience discussion.

Audience Recognition

An award will be presented for the Top Case Presentation, as selected by the audience.

Eligibility

Presenters must be registered attendees of CCR West 2026 to participate.

Submit Your Case

We are currently soliciting cases from registered CCR West 2026 attendees. Submissions are due 30 days prior to the start of the event.

  • Submit a truly unique case with high educational value.
  • Cases should be clinically challenging, thought-provoking, and appropriate for interactive discussion.
  • Presentations must be submitted in PowerPoint format.
  • Cases that are excessively long or submitted in formats other than PowerPoint cannot be reviewed.

Submission Guidelines

To be considered, please submit your case as a PowerPoint file including the following information:

  • Contact Information: Full name, mailing address, city, state, zip code, and phone number.
  • Email Address: Your preferred contact email.
  • Case Abstract: A brief paragraph describing the proposed presentation, including a compelling title.
  • Presentation File: The full case presentation in PowerPoint format.

Each case presentation should include:

  • A brief introduction.
  • Relevant clinical details, images, physical findings, laboratory data, or imaging studies when applicable.
  • A clear summary at the end of the presentation.
  • A limited number of relevant references at the end of the case.

Note: Fellows must register for CCR West 2026 to present a case. A fellow may present the same case at both NYRIF and Mysteries on the Beach, but the format should be adapted appropriately for each session.

Ready to Submit a Case?

Send your completed PowerPoint case presentation and required submission details to:

Email Your Case Submission

Access to this session is included as part of your CCR West 2026 Conference Pass. We look forward to reviewing your most challenging cases in Huntington Beach.

Premier

Premier sponsors

Diamond

Diamond sponsors

Platinum

Platinum sponsors

Gold

Gold sponsors

Silver

Silver sponsors

Bronze

Bronze sponsors

  • Biogen
Exhibitor

Exhibitor sponsors

  • Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
  • Novartis Sandoz Hyrimoz
  • Sandoz

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Of all of the rheumatology meetings I‘ve attended over 41 years in practice, and 2 years in fellowship, including 40 ACR annual meetings, I enjoyed and learned more at CCR” – Allen Morton, M.D.

Congress of Clinical Rheumatology – West 2026

Price range: $0.00 through $585.00

Registering For:
Myself
Group / Someone Else

Additional information

Attending

Onsite, Online

Accrediation

25+ Hours CME/MOC

Date

September 17-20, 2026

Venue

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Location

Huntington Beach, CA

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