Finding Your Footing in the Shifting Landscape of Multiple Sclerosis

Faculty

Michael K. Racke, MD
Neurology Medical Director
Neurology Medical Director, Quest Diagnostics, Secaucus, NJ
Michael K. Racke, MD
Neurology Medical Director

Michael K. Racke received his M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School. He completed his neurology training at Emory University in Atlanta and a neuroimmunology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. His first faculty position was at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was the recipient of a Harry Weaver Neuroscience Junior Faculty Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Young Investigator in Multiple Sclerosis of the American Academy of Neurology Education and Research Foundation. He then moved to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where he was Vice Chairman for Neurology Research and also professor in the Center for Immunology. He was chairman of neurology at The Ohio State University School of Medicine from 2006-2014. His research focused on understanding how inflammation is established in the central nervous system and developing novel therapeutics by studying the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. He was instrumental in performing preclinical studies which helped lead to the development of dimethyl fumarate as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. He also participated in research efforts developing anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies for multiple sclerosis, including the first publication using rituximab in progressive multiple sclerosis. His research also centers on the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Racke has served on scientific advisory committees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Institutes of Health, and the Hertie Foundation. He serves on several editorial boards, including JAMA Neurology and the Annals of Neurology, and is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neuroimmunology. He has served as chairman of the Research Programs Advisory Committee for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, on the Board of Directors for the American Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS), and as President of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), of which he now serves on the Board of Governors. He has been recognized as one of the Best Doctors in America for over 20 years. He is currently the medical director for neurology at Quest Diagnostics.

Anne H. Cross, MD
Professor of Neurology, Manny and Rosalyn Rosenthal and Dr. John L. Trotter Multiple Sclerosis
Center Chair in Neuroimmunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Anne H. Cross, MD

Dr. Anne H. Cross is a professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, where she holds the Manny & Rosalyn Rosenthal and Dr. John L. Trotter MS Center Chair in Neuroimmunology and has served as Section Head of the Neuroimmunology/MS Section since 2001.

Raised in Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Cross graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honorary. After residency training in adult neurology at George Washington University, she spent several years as a post-doctoral fellow training in neuroimmunology and neuropathology at the National Institute of Health with Drs. Dale McFarlin and Henry McFarland and later at Albert Einstein College of Medicine with Drs. Cedric Raine and Celia Brosnan. Dr.Cross pursued further training in the clinical care of MS patients at Albert Einstein College of Medicine with Dr. Labe Scheinberg and received the Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar award of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1990 and the John Jay Dystel Prize in 2019.

Dr. Cross joined the Washington University Department of Neurology in 1991. Her research has been continually funded by the National MS Society, the NIH and/or the U.S. Department of Defense since she opened her laboratory in 1991. Her laboratory currently focuses on advanced imaging studies of progressive MS and the role(s) of B cells and B cell products in MS and its animal models. During her nearly 30 years at Washington University, she has trained more than 30 students, residents, and fellows; she is very proud that they all continue to actively contribute to the research and care of MS and related diseases.

Mitzi J. Williams, MD
Neurologist and Multiple Sclerosis
Specialist Founder and CEO, Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center, Smyrna, GA
Mitzi J. Williams, MD

Mitzi Joi Williams is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellowship trained Multiple Sclerosis Specialist who serves as the Founder & CEO of the Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center in Newnan, GA. She is considered a subject matter expert in Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, and Health Disparities. Dr. Williams has over 15 years of experience in the field of Multiple Sclerosis. She received her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and received her Doctor of Medicine Degree from Morehouse School of Medicine, also in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her Internal Medicine Internship, Neurology Residency, and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at Georgia Health Sciences University (formerly MCG) in Augusta, GA, where she received numerous accolades and served as Chief Resident of the Neurology Residency Program.

Dr. Williams has spearheaded and participated in multiple steering committees and work groups to further research in underserved populations with MS, with a focus on the African American population. She has recently joined efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials and educate the community about the importance of research participation. Through collaborations with national and international committees, she advocates for people living with MS to share in the decision-making process with their healthcare teams to combat this disease. Dr. Williams is the author of MS Made Simple: The Essential Guide to Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis. She continues to live out her mission to provide personalized Multiple Sclerosis Care delivered with expertise, compassion, and joy.

Statement of Need

Historically, diagnosing and managing multiple sclerosis (MS) has been difficult. Research uncovering the immune-mediated mechanisms of MS emergence, relapse, and progression has led to development of biomarkers that are now central to diagnosis and treatment decisions, as well as to the development of immune-targeted disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that can induce long-term remission. Most DMTs are used in continuous or maintenance/escalation therapy regimens, and disease activity typically recurs when these drugs are discontinued. In contrast, pulsed immune reconstitution therapy (IRT) are administered in short courses and provide durable efficacy beyond the active treatment period. This paradigm shift requires health care providers (HCPs) to stay up to date on the range of available and emerging therapies for MS and current guidance on treatment selection and the role of biomarkers in the management of patients with MS.

In this CME Outfitters Live and OnDemand webcast, animated 3-D models will illustrate the immune processes that contribute to MS pathology and serve as targets for immune-directed therapies. Expert faculty will review clinical data supporting the efficacy and safety of novel and emerging immune-directed therapies as well as the role of biomarkers in assessing disease progression and guiding treatment decisions in patients with MS.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this CME/CE activity, participants should be able to:

  • Identify the immunological mechanisms that contribute to MS.
  • Assess clinical data supporting the efficacy and safety of novel and emerging immune-directed therapies for MS.
  • Integrate biomarkers and imaging techniques to assess disease progression in patients with MS.

The following learning objectives pertain only to those requesting CNE or CPE credit:

  • Identify the immunological mechanisms that contribute to MS.
  • Assess clinical data supporting the efficacy and safety of novel and emerging immune-directed therapies for MS.
  • Recognize biomarkers and imaging techniques used to assess disease progression in patients with MS.

Financial Support

Supported by educational grants from Biogen MA, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, EMD Serono, Inc., and Sanofi Genzyme.

Target Audience

Neurologists, PAs, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists.

Credit Information

Physicians (ACCME) 1.0

CME Outfitters, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Note to Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners can apply for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). AANP will accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit  from organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Nurse practitioners can also apply for credit through their state boards.

Pharmacists/Pharmacy Tech (ACPE) 1.0

This application-based activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy credit.
Activity UAN: JA0007185-0000-21-100-H01-P

ABIM MOC 1.0

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 medical knowledge MOC point 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.

Royal College MOC

Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

MIPS Improvement Activity

Completion of this accredited CME activity meets the expectations of an Accredited Safety or Quality Improvement Program (IA_PSPA_28) for the Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS). Clinicians should submit their improvement activities by attestation via the CMS Quality Payment Program website.

Note to PAs

AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit  from organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Disclosure Declaration

It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and attempted to resolve any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.


Dr. Racke reports he is a consultant for Teva Neuroscience, Inc.


Dr. Cross reports that she receives research support from The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and U.S. Department of Defense. She is on the advisory committee for EMD Serono, Inc.; and Genentech, Inc./Roche. She is a consultant for Biogen; Celgene Corporation; EMD Serono, Inc.; Genentech, Inc./Roche; and Novartis.


Dr. Williams reports that she receives research support from EMD Serono, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; and Novartis. She serves on the advisory committee for AbbVie Inc.; Biogen Idec; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; EMD Serono, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; Novartis; and Sanofi Genzyme. She serves as a consultant for AbbVie Inc.; Biogen Idec; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; EMD Serono, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; Novartis; and Sanofi Genzyme.


Disclosures were obtained from the CME Outfitters, LLC staff: No disclosures to report.

  • Howard Bliwise, MD (peer reviewer)
  • Mae Ochoa, RPh (peer reviewer)
  • Rachel Speer, PhD (planning committee)
  • Evan Luberger (planning committee)
  • Jan Perez (planning committee)
  • Sharon Tordoff (planning committee)

Faculty of this CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices.

Additional Formats

Post-tests, credit request forms, and activity evaluations must be completed online (requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately (75% pass rate required). This website supports all browsers except Internet Explorer for Mac. For complete technical requirements and privacy policy, visit our Privacy & Confidentiality page.

 


NOTE: Pharmacist CE Universal Activity Number, Enduring: JA0007185-0000-21-100-H01-P.

Questions about this activity?

Call us at 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).

TV-123-011321-90

Finding Your Footing in the Shifting Landscape of Multiple Sclerosis
Event Date: 01/13/2021