Southern California’s Premier Rheumatology Network
Advancing Care. Connecting Experts. Shaping the Future.
The Southern California Rheumatology Society unites physicians, researchers, and allied health professionals to elevate the standard of rheumatologic care across the region.
75+
Years Serving SoCal
700+
Member Physicians
15+
Past Presidents
Who We Are
Founded in 1949 by Dr. Carlos Sacasa, the Southern California Rheumatology Society has grown from a small group of dedicated physicians into the region’s leading professional organization for rheumatology.
Originally supported by the Arthritis Foundation, SCRS evolved into an independent 501(c)3 non-profit, driven by the mission to advance rheumatologic care through education, advocacy, and professional connection.
Our members include board-certified rheumatologists, fellows, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals across Southern California.
“A glowing lineage of rheumatologists who have shaped the field across Southern California for over seven decades.”
— Southern California Rheumatology Society, Est. 1949
Non-Profit 501(c)3CME AccreditedEst. 1949
Membership
Join the Society
Connect with Southern California’s rheumatology community and access exclusive resources, events, and advocacy opportunities.
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Membership is Free for All Applicants
Open to all rheumatology physicians, fellows, trainees & allied health professionals.
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Quarterly Events
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Newsletters
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Network
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CME & Education
Partners
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
SCRS is grateful for the generous support of our corporate partners who help advance rheumatology care across Southern California.
💎 Diamond Sponsors — 2026
NOVARTIS
GSK
Johnson & Johnson
AMGEN
sanofi | REGENERON
abbvie
🔴 Ruby Sponsor — 2026
Pfizer
💚 Emerald Sponsor — 2026
●sobi
Leadership
Committee Members
Meet the dedicated physicians and professionals who guide and govern the Southern California Rheumatology Society.
Board President
HY
Howard Yang, MD, RhMSUS
Board President
UCLA, Santa Monica
SCRS Program Committee
CD
Christina Downey, MD, RhMSUS
Program Committee
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda
KC
Kristal Choi, MD, RhMSUS
Program Committee
UCLA, Santa Monica
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Sandy Lee, DO
Program Committee
Arthritis & Osteoporosis Medical Center, Monterey Park & La Palma
Member Engagement Subcommittee
AK
Amy Kehl, MD, RhMSUS
Chair of Member Communication
Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles
AP
Alexander Peck, DO
Chair of Digital Media and Outreach
Pacific Arthritis, Santa Monica
Scientific Subcommittee
CO
Courtney O’Brien, DO, RhMSUS
Chair of Research and Innovation
UCLA Simi Valley
KC
Karla Criner, MD, RhMSUS
Chair of Education and Clinical Programs
UCLA Torrance
Advocacy Subcommittee
KT
Kiana Taba, MD
Chair of Advocacy and Policy
Newport Beach
Finance Subcommittee
JD
Jonathan Dau, MD, RhMSUS
Chair of Finance and Fundraising
Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach
Fellows Advisory Subcommittee
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Eric Liu, MD, RhMSUS
Chair of Fellow Engagement
UCLA Pasadena/Burbank
PI
Patil Injean, DO
Chair of Fellow Development and Mentorship
Kaiser Sunset
Interested in Serving on a Committee?
SCRS welcomes active members who wish to contribute their expertise and time to our committees.
2025–2026 Program
Quarterly Meetings & Events
SCRS holds at least 4 quarterly meetings per year featuring scientific advances, advocacy updates, professional development, and hands-on training.
Q1 · 2026 Annual Conference
Rare Presentations, Real Challenges: What Every Rheumatologist Should Know
In collaboration with the California Rheumatology Alliance (CRA) — CRA 22nd Annual Meeting & 4th Annual APP Meeting
📅 February 28 – March 1, 2026
📍 The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, CA
~200 attendees: Fellows, private practice & academic rheumatologists, APPs
February 28, 2026 — Physician Meeting
7:00 – 7:45 AM
Registration & Exhibits — Light refreshments served
7:45 – 8:00 AM
Opening Remarks Howard Yang, MD, SCRS President
8:00 – 9:00 AM
GLP-1 & SGLT2: Obesity Impact on Patients with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis & Psoriatic Arthritis Catherine Bakewell, MD — Utah
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Breakfast Product Theater
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Exhibits / Networking
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Connective Tissue Diseases: From Microbiome to New Therapeutics Elizabeth Volkmann, MD — UCLA
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
The Silent GCA in PMR: Challenging Clinical Cases of Giant Cell Arteritis Tanaz Kermani, MD — UCLA
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Sjögren Guideline: Tackling the Burning Questions of Peripheral Neuropathies in Sjögren’s Disease Dana DiRenzo, MD — University of Pennsylvania
Interpretation of Lab in Rheumatology: How to Improve Performance as an APP Amanda Mixon, PAs — UC Health
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Product Theater / Exhibits
*Program is subject to change
March 1, 2026 — APP Meeting
7:00 – 7:45 AM
Registration & Exhibits — Light refreshments served
7:45 – 8:00 AM
Opening Remarks Howard Yang, MD, SCRS President
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Dermatology in Rheum Clinic Dr. Binh Ngo — USC
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Breakfast Product Theater
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Exhibits / Networking
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Scleroderma | Raynaud’s | ILD Dr. Francesco Boin — Cedars
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Polymyositis | Dermatomyositis Dr. Sharon Bae — UCLA
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Challenging Cases & Picture Diagnosis in Rheum Clinic Dr. Samy Metyas — USC
1:45 – 2:45 PM
Product Theater & SCRS Honorary Luncheon
2:45 PM
Day Adjourned
*Program is subject to change
Quarter 2 · 2026
Crossroads of Care: Navigating Medication Strategies in Spondyloarthritis Across Specialties
📅 May 23, 2026 | 6:45 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 Hilton Los Angeles Culver City, 6161 West Centinela Ave, Culver City, CA 90230
Multidisciplinary program exploring evolving treatment strategies across rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and ophthalmology
May 23, 2026 — Agenda
6:45 – 7:30 AM
Registration & Exhibits — Light refreshments served
7:30 – 7:35 AM
Opening Remarks Howard Yang, MD
7:35 – 8:20 AM
TNFi, IL-17i, or JAKi? Navigating First-Line and Beyond in Axial Spondyloarthritis Lianne Gensler, MD — Professor of Medicine, UCSF
8:20 – 8:30 AM
Exhibits / Networking / Posters
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Breakfast Product Theater
9:30 – 9:45 AM
Exhibits / Networking / Posters
9:45 – 10:30 AM
Biologic Drug Level and Combining Biologics in IBD: When, How and For Whom Jenny Sauk, MD — Associate Professor of Medicine, UCLA; Director of UCLA Center of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Uveitis — Multidisciplinary Considerations Edmund Tshui, MD — Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, UCLA
11:15 – 11:30 AM
Exhibits / Networking / Posters
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
When It’s Not Psoriasis: Clues to Diagnose Mimics in Complex Skin Disease April Armstrong, MD, MPH — Professor of Dermatology, UCLA
12:15 – 1:00 PM
Shared Decision-Making in PsA: Weighing Joint, Skin, and Patient Priorities Michael Weisman, MD — Cedars-Sinai
Gout: Those Crystals Are Hard to Treat John D. FitzGerald, MD, PhD — Professor of Medicine, UCLA; Rheumatology Division Chief, West LA VA Medical Center
10:30 – 10:45 AM
Exhibits / Networking / Poster
10:45 – 11:30 AM
Before Starting Bisphosphonates: Rare Secondary Osteoporosis Causes Rashmi S. Mullur, MD — Associate Professor of Medicine, UCLA
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Osteoporosis Treatment: Combination Therapy vs Sequential Therapy Albert Shieh, MD — Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA
12:15 – 12:30 PM
Exhibits / Networking / Poster
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Lunch Product Theater
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Poster Awards & Closing Remarks Howard Yang, MD
*Program is subject to change
Publications
SCRS Newsletters
Stay informed with our quarterly newsletters covering society news, clinical updates, member spotlights, and upcoming events.
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Newsletters Coming Soon
Our 2026 newsletters will be posted here as they are published. Check back soon or contact us to be added to our mailing list.
Our Legacy
History of SCRS
From a small gathering of dedicated physicians in 1949 to a thriving regional society, SCRS has shaped rheumatology in Southern California for over 75 years.
1949
Founding of SCRS
Dr. Carlos Sacasa founds the Southern California Rheumatology Society, becoming its inaugural president.
1950s–60s
Arthritis Foundation Partnership
SCRS operates under the support of the Arthritis Foundation, expanding educational programs and hosting the first regional scientific conferences.
1970s
Independent Non-Profit Status
SCRS achieves 501(c)3 non-profit status, marking independence from the Arthritis Foundation.
2000s
CRA Collaboration Begins
SCRS begins its partnership with the California Rheumatology Alliance, co-hosting the Annual Meeting.
2024
75th Anniversary Celebration
SCRS celebrates 75 years of service with a special anniversary gala and commemorative newsletter.
2024–25
Legacy Under Dr. Karina Torralba
Pioneer of the SCRS MSK ultrasound course, expanding fellow programs & digital outreach.
2025–26
Continued Growth Under Dr. Howard Yang
Under Dr. Yang’s leadership, SCRS has grown into one of Southern California’s most active rheumatology societies — forging partnerships with organizations such as the California Rheumatology Alliance (CRA) to bring together practicing rheumatologists and fellows in training through collaborative conferences, education, and community-building across the region.
75+
Years of Excellence
For over seven decades, SCRS has been the home of rheumatology in Southern California.
Our Mission
To advance the care of patients with rheumatic diseases in Southern California by providing education, advocacy, and professional development opportunities.
Become part of Southern California’s premier rheumatology society. Membership is free for all applicants.
How to Apply
Membership is free and open to all rheumatology physicians, fellows, trainees, and allied health professionals.
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Membership is Free
No fees, no dues — just send us an email with the information below.
To apply, simply send an email to scrs@srahec.org with the subject line “SCRS Membership Application” and include the following information:
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Full Name
2
Professional Degree
e.g. MD, DO, NP, PA
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Specialty
e.g. Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Advanced Practice
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Email Address
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Primary Practice / Institution
e.g. UCLA Medical Center, Private Practice
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City
7
California Medical License Number
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Upon approval, members are automatically subscribed to the SCRS quarterly newsletter — keeping you up to date on events, clinical advances, and society news.
