CRA LEAP

CRA LEAP (LEAdership Program) is a mentorship program designed for rheumatologists at an early career stage who are likely to become leaders in research, education, and/or advocacy in Canada.

The program, formerly known as Future Leaders in RheumaTology (FLIRT), provides aspiring rheumatologists with the opportunity to enhance their professional and leadership development.

The 2022-2024 LEAP program is currently underway. 

2022-2024 LEAP Cohort Meeting Dates

Event Date Details
Fall 2022 November 25, 2022 ½ day virtual
Spring 2023 April 28, 2023 ½ day virtual
Summer 2023 June 23, 2023 full day in person
Fall 2023 November 24, 2023 ½ day virtual
Spring 2024 April 12, 2024 ½ day virtual
Summer 2024 June 7, 2024 full day in person

The CRA will be accepting applications for the 2024-2026 program in April 2024; the online application will be posted here at that time.

Program Overview

This program seeks to identify and promote leadership in rheumatologists early in their career (within 5 years post fellowship in rheumatology or pediatric rheumatology).  It is comprised of a variety of initiatives identified via a needs assessment conducted with participants, and a collaboration with Canadian mentors and expert advisors.  It is designed for future leaders in academic and community practice.

Program Objectives

  • Provide aspiring young Canadian rheumatologists with the opportunity to participate in a needs-based, high-quality, innovative, multi-faceted 2-year program
  • Build personal and professional contacts with thought leaders and peers
  • Develop insights into career building, publications, promotion and advocacy

Program Guidelines

Program Sponsor

The 2020-2022 program is supported by Pfizer Canada.  The Canadian Rheumatology Association would like to recognize and thank this sponsor for their generous support.

Application Process

This is a joint application process that requires application to be completed by the candidate and their supporter.

Past Program Participants

Dr. Azin Ahrari
Dr. Gemma Cramarossa
Dr. Tala El Tal
Dr. Arpita Gantayet
Dr. Ksenia (Xenia) Gukova
Dr. Megan Himmel
Dr. Mats Junek
Dr. Alexandra Legge
Dr. Reza Mirza
Dr. Julia Tan
Dr. Shahna Tariq
Dr. Paul Tsoukas
Dr. Shivani Upadhyaya

Dr. Tooba Ali
Dr. Jason An
Dr. Daniah Basodan
Dr. May Choi
Dr. Dilan Dissanayake
Dr. Bailey Dyck
Dr. Maysoon Eldoma
Dr. Stephanie Gottheil
Dr. Ambika Gupta
Dr. Joanne (Zhuan) Jiang
Dr. May Kazem
Dr. Maysam Khalfan
Dr. Faiza Khokhar
Dr. Lauren King
Dr. Sahil Koppikar
Dr. Raphael Kraus
Dr. Piya Lahiry
Dr. Elizaveta Limenis
Dr. Tamara McMillan
Dr. Arielle Mendel
Dr. Kate Neufeld
Dr. Mo Osman
Dr. Larissa Petriw
Dr. Saara Rawn
Dr. Herman Tam
Dr. Fergus To
Dr. Ruud Verstegen
Dr. Mary-Clair Yelovich
Dr. Yan Yeung
Dr. Nadil Zeiadin
Dr. Boyang Zheng

Dr. Hugues Allard-Chamard
Dr. Noura Al Osaimi
Dr. Neda Amiri
Dr. Corisande  Baldwin
Dr. Julie Couture
Dr. Natasha Dehghan
Dr. Maeve Gamble
Dr. Stephanie Garner
Dr. Jason Lee
Dr. Jennifer Ji Young  Lee
Dr. June Lee
Dr. Lillian Lim
Dr. Norman Madsen
Dr. Liam  O’Neil
Dr. Matthew Piche
Dr. Ceri  Richards
Dr. Janet Roberts
Dr. Thanu Ruban
Dr. Alexandra  Saltman
Dr. Stephanie Tom

Dr. Tom Appleton
Dr. Pari Basharat
Dr. Roberta Berard
Dr. Tristan Boyd
Dr. Jonathan Chan
Dr. Mercedes Chan
Dr. Alison Clifford
Dr. Lihi Eder
Dr. Michelle Jung
Dr. Natasha Gakhal
Dr. Kimberly Legault
Dr. Lily Lim
Dr. Zeineb Mahjoub
Dr. Alexa Smith
Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum
Dr. Dax Gerard Rumsey
Dr. Annaliese Tisseverasinghe
Dr. Marinka Twilt

Dr. Pooneh Akhavan
Dr. Daniela Ardelean
Dr. Claire Barber
Dr. Lillian Barra
Dr. Shirley Chow
Dr. Ines Colmegna
Dr. Glen Hazlewood
Dr. Linda Hiraki
Dr. Tabitha Kung
Dr. Alison Kydd
Dr. Nadia Luca
Dr. Dharini Mahendira
Dr. Laëtitia Michou
Dr. Kimberly Morishita
Dr. Marie-Paule Morin
Dr. Natalie Shiff
Dr. Amanda Steiman
Dr. Zahi Touma

Dr. Zareen Ahmad
Dr. Juan Antoine Avina-Zubieta
Dr. Cheryl Barnabe
Dr. Susanne Benseler
Dr. Josiane Bourre-Tessier
Dr. Vinod Chandran
Dr. Sindhu Johnson
Dr. Raheem Kherani
Dr. Bindee Kuriya
Dr. Maggie Larche
Dr. Deborah Levy
Dr. Mark Matsos
Dr. Shikha Mittoo
Dr. Gina Rohekar
Dr. Sherry Rohekar
Dr. Irene Vasiliu