Chandigarh, March 16, 2025 – The prestigious Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, Current Perspectives in Rheumatology, was successfully held at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER, Chandigarh.
A major highlight of the conference was the Prof. S.D. Deodhar Memorial Lecture, delivered by Prof. Pradeep Bambery, a Consultant Rheumatologist from Bundaberg, Australia. His lecture masterfully intertwined science, history, and poetry, captivating the audience.
The conference also paid tribute to eminent former PGI faculty members, including Prof. Vinay Sakhuja, Prof. Amod Gupta, Prof. Kusum Joshi, Prof. Subhash Varma, Prof. J.B. Dilawari, and Prof. Bhushan Kumar, who were honored for their contributions to the field.
The event witnessed an impressive turnout, with over 250 delegates attending in person and approximately 150 joining online.
Scientific Highlights and Expert Debates
The CME featured engaging debates on contemporary challenges in rheumatology, covering conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Systemic Sclerosis, and Systemic Vasculitis. These debates were complemented by expert talks on the latest management strategies for these disorders in 2025.
Renowned speakers at the event included Prof. Aman Sharma (Organizing Secretary), Prof. Varun Dhir, Prof. Shefali Sharma, Dr. Ashwani Kumar (Pune), Dr. Debashish Mishra (Abu Dhabi), Arghya Chattopadhyay (Kolkata), and Dr. Shankar Naidu. The debates saw the participation of distinguished debaters, including Dr. Benzeeta Pinto (Bengaluru), Dr. Adarh MB (Calicut), Dr. Joydeep (Raipur), Dr. Sakhi Mittal (New Delhi), Dr. Chirag (Lucknow), Dr. Nupoor (Indore), Dr. Niladri (Hyderabad), and Dr. Jithin Mathews (Hyderabad).
Prof. Vivek Lal, in his address, spoke about the esteemed legacy and strong tradition of rheumatology services at PGIMER, Chandigarh, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to excellence in medical education and research.
The conference successfully fostered insightful discussions, knowledge exchange, and academic collaboration, further strengthening the field of rheumatology in India and beyond.
