The Caribbean Association for Rheumatology is committed to improving the care of patients with rheumatic diseases in the Caribbean. It is a professional organization with a primary goal of uniting rheumatologists and allied health professionals in the advancement of rheumatology through collaborative research, education and advocacy at local and regional levels.

VISION:

To create a group of persons working synergistically to provide the highest quality of care for all patients with rheumatic disease across the Caribbean.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To form a group of rheumatologists and allied persons committed to the advancement of rheumatology and through collaboration, education, research and advocacy, improve the care of Caribbean patients with rheumatic disease.

OUR HISTORY:

The Caribbean Association for Rheumatology (CAR) was born of a desire to improve the identification and management of patients with rheumatic diseases in the Caribbean. There was a clear need to unite rheumatologists and allied health professionals in this goal all the while establishing appropriate standards of patient care based on local specificities and international best practice.

Informal discussions began amongst colleagues. How do we improve education of patients, the general public and medical professionals? How to we advocate for patients with these lesser-known chronic illnesses? How can collaborative research inform our practice? 

In January 2007 a planning meeting was held at The Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad and there a group of Caribbean rheumatologists formalized their intent and commitment to the establishment of the Caribbean Association for Rheumatology.

The meeting was facilitated by Cary Seunath of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, without whose support we may not have existed today. Presentations were given by Dr. Radames Sierra-Zorita (Puerto Rico) and Dr. Carlos Sesin (Miami). Present were Dr. Cindy Flower (Barbados), Dr. Amanda King (Saint Lucia), Dr. Haramnauth Dyaanand (Trinidad), Dr. Vincent Nwosa (Bahamas), Dr. Karel DeCeulaer (Jamaica), Dr. Sharon Cordner (Antigua), Dr. Nagy Bakir (Curacao), Professor Patrick Rooney (Grenada) and Professor Eon Nigel Harris. 

They decided on a mission “to form a group of rheumatologists and allied persons committed to the advancement of rheumatology and through collaboration, education, research and advocacy, improve the care of Caribbean patients with rheumatic disease”. Eight practical aims and objectives were then outlined as follows:-

1. To provide a Caribbean Directory of Rheumatologists and allied health professionals for easy referral across the islands.
2. To strengthen linkages between Rheumatologists practicing in the region for the sharing and exchange of skills and resources and to support colleagues practicing in lesser developed areas.
3. To organize conferences for Rheumatological CME.
4. To do collaborative research.
5. To develop regionally appropriate medical protocols and treatment guidelines for patients with rheumatic disease in the Caribbean.
6. To help determine the Rheumatology curriculum for medical training in the Caribbean.
7. To be an advocacy group for patients’ rights to improve care for all with rheumatic disease in the Caribbean.
8. To liaise with governmental and non-governmental agencies to ensure best care for all with rheumatic disease in the Caribbean.

The first CAR meeting was held in Saint Lucia in 2008 and was an International conference with renowned speakers from across the globe. CAR has had scientific meetings of outstanding quality since then, in Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad and Curacao. The organization continues to forge ahead and grow with its mandate to make a meaningful difference within and outside of the region.

View the By laws here | Articles of Incorporation
PAST CONFERENCES:

2008 - Saint Lucia

2010 - Martinique

2011 - Barbados

2012 - Guadeloupe

2014 - Martinique

2015 - Barbados

2016 - Trinidad

2017 - Curacao

2018 - Saint Lucia

2019 - Curacao

2021 - Virtual

2022 - Virtual

2023 - U.S. Virgin Islands

2024 - Jamaica