37th Annual Lupus Symposium (11 Oct 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

When Lupus Speaks Through the Senses

Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Main Medical Lecture Theatre, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Mona

Join us for the 37th Annual Lupus Symposium – When Lupus Speaks Through the Senses, exploring the often-overlooked impact of lupus on the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, together with an important update on current lupus treatment.

Join us IN PERSON this year!

Although the Symposium will be offered in a hybrid format, we especially encourage patients, families, students, healthcare professionals and members of the public to attend in person where possible.

Come meet our presenters and panelists, ask questions, connect with others in the lupus community and share in a day of learning, conversation and support.

General admission is FREE.

Joining online? General online viewing will be available LIVE on the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica's YouTube and Facebook pages where viewers can post questions and comments for our presenters and panelists.

Healthcare professionals attending online for CME should register for the appropriate CME category. A Zoom link will be provided to registered online CME participants so that attendance can be verified for certification.

Register above to attend in person or to claim CME.

Questions or need help registering? Contact Lupus Foundation of Jamaica: (876) 778-3892 (Tel/Text/WA) or info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org

Dr Ashira D. Blazer, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore

Keynote Speaker

NEW HORIZONS: Current Management of Systemic Lupus

Dr Ashira Blazer is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland Baltimore and Co-Director of its SLE Center of Excellence. A rheumatologist, clinician-researcher and lupus specialist, her work spans lupus care and research, health equity and patient-informed education. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lupus Foundation of America.

Dr Warren Mullings

Consultant Otolaryngologist and Sinus Specialist

Lupus & the Ear, Nose & Throat

Dr Warren Mullings is a Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon and Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgeon at Kingston Public Hospital and FOSA Surgical Associates. He completed specialist training in Otolaryngology at The University of the West Indies and fellowship training in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery at the University of British Columbia. He is actively involved in postgraduate education and research, with particular interests in rhinology, sinus disease and disorders of the upper airway

Dr Pierre John Holmes
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Lupus Insights: Oral & Facial Disease in Lupus

Dr Pierre-John Holmes is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Head Consultant in Maxillofacial Surgery at Kingston Public Hospital and Bustamante Hospital for Children. He is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and completed his dental and public health training at Harvard University, followed by medical and specialist surgical training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His clinical interests include surgical pathology, trauma and complex facial reconstruction.

Dr Shamfa Peart

Consultant Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist

Lupus & the Eyes

Dr Shamfa Peart is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist practising at Kingston Public Hospital and Bustamante Hospital for Children. She completed her DM in Ophthalmology at The University of the West Indies and a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at University Hospitals of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Her clinical interests include retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal vascular diseases, and she is working to develop comprehensive retinal services at both institutions.

Keynote: NEW HORIZONS: Current Management of Systemic Lupus
Lupus Insights: Oral & Facial Disease in Lupus
Lupus & the Ear, Nose & Throat
Lupus & the Eyes
Patient Voices: Patient Perspectives (Video Feature)
Making Sense of It All – Empowering Patients: multidisciplinary panel and audience Q&A

View Full Programme

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica gratefully acknowledges the support of the sponsors and partners who make the Annual Lupus Symposium possible.

General admission is FREE

We encourage you to join us in person and be part of this year's Symposium.

REGISTER IF YOU:

PLAN TO ATTEND IN PERSON (free for general public/students)
ARE A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL REQUESTING CME and select the appropriate CME registration category.

PHYSICIAN | J$4,000

NURSE/ALLIED PROFESSIONAL | J$2,000

Watching online without CME?
No registration is required for the public livestream. Simply join us on the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica's YouTube or Facebook page on the day.

CME Payment

After registering, healthcare professionals requesting CME certification may pay the applicable fee below:

Physicians – J$4,000
CME PAYMENT LINK

Nurses & Allied Professionals – J$2,000
CME PAYMENT LINK

Please note: Registration and payment are two separate steps. Make sure to do both to get your CME certificate. (Payment may be made beforehand, on site or during or following the event, and will not affect live meeting access.)

NEW VENUE THIS YEAR
Main Medical Lecture Theatre
University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Mona
Department of Medicine – on the hospital grounds

Please note that this is not UWI Regional Headquarters on Mona Road and not the Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching & Research Complex on the UWI Mona campus, where previous symposia have been held.

Driving:

From Old Hope Road towards Papine, pass Jamaica College and UTech, then turn right immediately after UTech towards UHWI.
Once inside UHWI: The Ring Road is one-way. Keep left and continue around the hospital grounds, passing the entrance to the UWI campus, to the hospital visitor parking area via the MIMS entrance.
From the parking area, proceed to the ground-level attendee entrance of the Main Medical Lecture Theatre. This is the recommended entrance for persons with disabilities or mobility difficulties.

Public transportation:

Ask for the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) rather than simply “UWI.” On arrival, ask for the Main Medical Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Medicine.

GET DIRECTIONS IN GOOGLE MAPS

Follow Lupus Foundation of Jamaica on YouTube and Facebook for Symposium updates and the live broadcast.

Questions or need help registering?
Contact Lupus Foundation of Jamaica: (876) 778-3892 (Tel/Text/WhatsApp) or info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org

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Lupus Foundation of Jamaica upcoming events

37th Annual Lupus Symposium (11 Oct 2026)

37TH ANNUAL LUPUS SYMPOSIUM

When Lupus Speaks Through the Senses

The Overlooked Impact of Lupus on the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Mouth

Join us IN PERSON this year!

Featured Speakers & Presentations

Programme Highlights

With Thanks to Our Sponsors

Join Us – Register Today

General admission is FREE

EVENT DETAILS & DIRECTIONS

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