Date: October 16, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Where: Napa Valley Grille, Westwood, CA

David Klashman, MD, President called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He welcomed members and introduced the guest speaker Marilynn G. Punaro, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Director, Arthritis Services, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Topic: "Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis"
The minutes from the previous meeting 7.15.08 were unanimously approved. Dr. Swamy Venuturupalli presented the budget for the society as of October 15, 2008. The 2009-2011 Southern California Rheumatology Society Officers were unanimously approved.
President: Swamy Venuturupalli, MD
Secretary/Treasurer: Boris Ratiner, MD
Program Chair: Samy Metyas, MD
Dr. Xavier Caro confirmed that the SCRS standard practices/protocol is to award the out-going president with a plaque for his or her outstanding service. Dr. Caro agreed to form an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the President’s Award to be presented at the first meeting in 2009.
The SCRS members unanimously committed to donating $5,000 to the Ad Council Initiative Announcement. Manuel Loya, President & CEO, Arthritis Foundation gave and update on the success of the Arthritis Foundation Gala and thanked everyone involved. Mireya Peña, VP, Community Programs & Services, Arthritis Foundation updated the society on the success of the “Doc in a Box” campaign and thanked all members who are participating. Boris Ratiner, MD introduced the guest speaker, Marilynn G. Punaro, MD and read the CME announcement.
This was followed by a question and answer session. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.