Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care

Oct 10, 2025 – Oct 12, 2025

Asheville - Omni Grove Park Inn

Enjoy a vast array of art galleries, local craft breweries, and tons of venues for the performing arts nearby in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is one of America’s most vibrant destinations. The breathtaking mountain scenery is met with a sophisticated yet bohemian culture and provides an ideal backdrop for inspired vacations. Named “the best place to live” by many books and magazines, Asheville has a much more cosmopolitan population than most cities of its size and a diversity you won’t find in many cities in the South. The area boasts a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures, a fun and inviting downtown, numerous historic attractions and amazing food. Only one hour away is the most visited national park in the USA, the Smokies. Whether you zip line your way through, take in the sights on horseback, or drift along Cove Scenic Loop — a two to four hour trip that gives you a peek into the surrounding wildlife — Asheville has it all.

Tuition

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Early Bird Registration Fee
Early Bird Registration (through July 10, 2025)
$ 899.00
View Cancellation Policy

Lodging Reservations*

Tuition Discount Eligibility

MCE Cancellation Policy

Option 1 Option 2
Up to 90 days before conference date Refund - Less $50 processing fee Credit - 100%
Up to 30 days before conference date Refund - Less $100 processing fee Credit - Less $50 processing fee
Up to 7 days before conference date Refund - Less $250 processing fee Credit - Less $100 processing fee
Within 7 days of conference date No Refund Available Credit - Less $250 processing fee
  • Credits expire three years from the date of issue.
  • Credits applied to a future conference are non-refundable.

Tuition Discount

Past Attendees Save $50: Past MCE Conferences attendees (within the previous three years) automatically receive a $50 discount at checkout.

Bring a Friend or Colleague and Save $50: If you are attending with another healthcare professional you are eligible for a $50 discount.

Overview & Agenda

Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care – 12 Credits

Overview
This conference is designed to provide primary care practitioners with up-to-date, evidence-based information on commonly encountered issues in Pharmacology and Rheumatology while suggesting pragmatic approaches to clinical management. The discussion-based format of the conference will encourage audience participation through dynamic lectures, case-based studies, and hands-on workshops. Keynote speakers will present and critically assess recent advancements and industry updates in Pharmacology and Rheumatology, with the goal of enhancing the knowledge-base and core competence of attendees. The successful completion of this interactive program will help you in diagnosing, treating, and prescribing the most effective courses of treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

Target Audience
All Physicians and other Healthcare Professionals seeking clinical information about issues in Pharmacology and Rheumatology.

Speakers
Our presenting national faculty speakers make it their professional goals to enhance the training of primary care clinicians. This Continuing Medical Education program promises to help you learn the most current, best medicine, and techniques for making the diagnosis easier during a 20-minute office visit.

Schedule

Friday, October 10th

An Approach to Inflammatory Arthritis
Objectives: 1) Review the differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and crystal arthritides 2) Apply diagnostic criteria to identify and differentiate between inflammatory arthritis conditions 3) Develop a comprehensive management plan for a patient with inflammatory arthritis

The Challenges of Managing the Immune-Compromised Patient
Objectives: 1) 1) Discuss the new generation of biological therapies used to treat autoimmune diseases 2) Recognize the risks associated with biological therapies  3) Assess patient-specific factors to optimize the safety and efficacy of biological therapies

Optimizing Lifestyle and Medication with Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Type 2 Diabetes
Objectives: 1) Compare and contrast available CGM devices 2) Develop therapeutic plans for the patient with diabetes using CGM data

“Top Ten” for the Primary Care Provider
Objective: 1) Review and discuss a series of clinical “pearls” and frequently asked questions related to pharmacotherapy

Saturday, October 11th

Prescribing Pearls for Type 2 Diabetes
Objectives: 1) Summarize recommendations from clinical practice guidelines regarding diabetes 2) Discuss prescribing “pearls” for SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and other commonly prescribed diabetes medications 3) Develop therapeutic plans using patient cases

How Low Can We Go? Medication Management for Obesity
Objectives: 1) Summarize recommendations from clinical practice guidelines regarding obesity 2) Discuss clinical evidence and place in therapy for agents that are FDA-labeled for weight loss 3) Develop therapeutic plans using patient cases

Osteoarthritis and Spinal Disk Degenerative Disease
1) Review the pathophysiology underlying osteoarthritis and spinal disk degeneration 2) Recognize the effectiveness of various diagnostic tools, such as X-rays, MRIs, and lab tests 3) Discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions available for patients with osteoarthritis or spinal disk conditions

Fear Not Rheumatology! How To Think Like a Rheumatologist
Objectives 1) Apply case-based learning to identify, evaluate, and manage common rheumatologic conditions effectively within the primary care setting

Sunday, October 12th

An Overview of Osteoporosis
Objectives: 1) Identify the key risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture 2) Evaluate bone health using tools like FRAX and DEXA scans 3) Assess current and emerging treatments for osteoporosis, focusing on their benefits and risks

Curbside Rheumatology for the Primary Care Clinician
Objectives: 1) Apply case-based learning to identify, evaluate, and manage common rheumatologic conditions effectively within the primary care setting

Deprescribing in Polypharmacy and the Elderly
Objectives: 1) Identify polypharmacy and related issues 2) Discuss strategies for deprescribing and develop a deprescribing plan based on a patient case

Management of Hypertension in Special Populations
Objectives: 1) Summarize recommendations from clinical practice guidelines regarding hypertension 2) Review literature for antihypertensive use in the elderly, chronic kidney disease, and resistant hypertension 3) Develop a therapeutic plan for a complex patient with hypertension

Please Note: Content is subject to change without notice. Please refer to this activity website for the most current information.

Program Schedule

Date

Location

Description

Time

October 10, 2025

Heritage Ballroom C

Conference - Day 1

Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees

Check-In Opens at 7:15AM

7:30 AM - 11:50 AM

October 11, 2025

Heritage Ballroom C

Conference - Day 2

Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees

7:30 AM - 11:50 AM

October 12, 2025

Heritage Ballroom C

Conference - Day 3

Continental Breakfast for Registered Attendees

7:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Accreditation

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education – ACCME
MCE Conferences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

MCE Conferences designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABIM MOC Recognition
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 12 (part II) MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Academy of Family Physicians – AAFP
MCE Conferences continuing medical education programs are organized by primary care healthcare professionals who are leaders in their field, and MCE Conferences plans to apply for American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) credit for all of its courses prior to the program date.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada – CFPC
The AAFP and the CFPC have a bilateral reciprocal certification agreement whereby: CME/CPD activities held across the Canada – U.S. border are certified according to the nationality of the primary target audiences regardless of where the providers are located. CFPC members who complete any CME/CPD activity certified by the AAFP for Prescribed credit can claim the equivalent number of Mainpro+ Certified or Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits.

American Osteopathic Association – AOA
The AOA automatically recognizes AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as AOA Category 2 credit.

American Nurses Credentialing Center – ANCC
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for recertification and continuing education credits. One AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is equivalent to one contact hour for registered nurses or one advanced practice CNE for nurse practitioners.

Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certified Program (AANPCP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Physician Assistants
PAs may claim a maximum of 12 Category 1 credits for completing this activity. NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

Pharmacology Credits
This course is being reviewed and will be acceptable for up to 12 CME credits; please verify with your Medical Board which hours may be applied toward Pharmacology credit.

Hotel Accommodations

Lodging Reservations -To make your lodging reservation, please Click Here. If you need assistance, please contact our office at 

Please note: Room categories are based on availability at the time of request.

Accommodations and Amenities – The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa offers an 18-hole Donald Ross Designed championship golf course, 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa, multiple casual and formal restaurants with a wide array of cuisine, three indoor and three outdoor tennis courts, sports complex featuring racquetball, yoga, aerobics and health and wellness programs, on-property shuttle service, valet and garage parking, WiFi internet service, refrigerator, and HD flat-screen TV.

  • ROH Guestroom – $409 Per Room Per Night (Plus Applicable Taxes and Fees) – Located in the historic Main Inn, Vanderbilt Wing or Sammons Wing, these rooms overlook the resort’s landscaping, Asheville’s skyline, the Donald Ross-designed golf course or Blue Ridge Mountains and feature one king or two double beds. Approximately 300-350 square feet.
    • Bedding Options: One King or Two Double Beds

Taxes and Resort Fees
– Room rates are subject to applicable taxes and fees, currently 13% and are subject to change without notice.
– Resort Fee -The Resort Service Charge will be reduced to $25.00 per room, per night (taxable) for all rooms reserved within the MCE Conference room block for the this program  (Currently $35 per room per night). The Resort Fee includes: Toll free and local calling, in room Premium high speed internet access, entrance to the fitness center, in room coffee and tea, self-guided history tour of the Omni Grove Park Inn and newspaper available upon request.

Additional Lodging Information –

  • Check-in and Check-out: Check-in is after 4:00 PM and Check-out is before 11:00 AM
  • Additional Guests (Ages 18 and Up): There will be a charge of $40 each for third and fourth persons sharing a room.
  • Photo ID is required upon check-in. Individuals 17 years old and younger are considered children.
  • Guests of the Spa must be at least 18 years of age, no exceptions.

Parking: There is a charge for both self and valet parking. The current self-parking rate is $30.00 per vehicle, per night, and the current overnight valet rate is $40.00 per vehicle, per night. The parking rates that are in affect during the dates of your meeting may be greater or less and, will be applicable to those that choose to park in the hotel parking facility. For local and offsite guests it is $30 for self-parking; Valet parking is available for $40.00 per day.

Lodging Deposit – Deposit of 1 Night + Tax is due at the time of booking. Balance is due to the resort upon arrival.

Lodging Cancellations – Terms and conditions as per MCE’s room allotment agreement with conference lodging venue:

  • Cancellation made 31 days or more prior to arrival: A full refund will be issued.
  • Cancellation 30 days or less prior to arrival: No refunds will be issued.
  • No-shows and early departures are considered a cancellation: No refunds will be issued.

All lodging cancellations must be made directly with the lodging venue. Please refer to your lodging confirmation for contact information and policies.

Register & Book Your Lodging Early! The MCE reduced room rates will be available to registered attendees up until September 8, 2025 (based on availability). Our allotment for reduced room rates may sell out before this date. We urge you to secure your lodging reservation as early as possible. Reduced rates will also be offered 3 nights pre and post program dates (based on availability).

Room Reservation Guidelines – The lodging reservation link has been created for the MCE Conference continuing medical education program, and only guests that are registered for this CME conference are eligible to use this site in order to access discounted rooms and/or theme park tickets (if applicable).

  • Attendees must register within (7) seven days of booking MCE discounted lodging to avoid cancellations or increased nightly rates (depending on Hotel/Resort policy).
  • We allow a maximum of 2 room reservations per registered attendee, based on availability and rates at the time of booking.
  • Rooms and/or tickets (if applicable) cannot be purchased for the purpose of, or with the intention of being resold.
  • All reservations must be made under the registered attendee’s’ name, as all reservations and ticket orders (if applicable) will be audited against the CME program registration list. Should it be necessary, we reserve the right to contact you to request proof of registration. If it is discovered that the reservation and/or ticket order is not for an MCE Conferences participant, the reservations and/or ticket order may be cancelled or modified based on the Hotel/Resort policy, and deposits may not be eligible for a refund.

Please note: In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the amount of registrations per conference.

Additional Travel Information

Airport Information – Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is approximately 20 minutes away from The Omni Grove Park Inn.

Airport Transportation – Taxi and Car Service: MCE Conferences recommends taking a taxi or a ride-share service such as Lyft or Uber to get from the airport to your hotel. Follow signs at the airport for ground transportation and taxi service. For more information or to book a taxi with Asheville Taxi, please Click Here.

Car Rental – To make your discounted car rental reservation, please click on the following links:
(please note: car rental company availability may differ based on airport/ destination)

  • AVIS – Click Here and enter G028287 in the “AWD Number” box to receive the Group Discount.
  • Budget – Click Here
  • Enterprise – Click Here and enter XZB6145 to receive the MCE Conferences Group Discount.
  • Hertz – Click Here and check the “Enter a Discount or Promo Code” and “I am a Corporate Customer” boxes. Enter 2086989 in the “Discount/CDP/Club Code” box to receive the Group Discount.
  • National – Click Here and enter XZB6145 under Contract ID to receive Group Discount

Special Assistance – MCE’s policy is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If special arrangements are necessary for an individual with a disability to attend a conference, please contact our office at 1-888-533-9031.

Please Note: MCE is not associated with the third party services listed herein and shall not be liable for any services of such third party providers.

Other Upcoming Conferences

What Are You Waiting For?

Register Early! In order to provide a quality and interactive CME program, MCE Conferences will limit the amount of registrations per conference. Some conferences may have a lower registration limit due to the destination logistics and lodging availability.

View CME Conferences or Call Us: 1-888-533-9031

 

 

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