On Sunday 15th September 2024 the Spondyloarthritis Academy held their meeting at Emmanuel College in Cambridge. Attended by representatives of the Rheumatology Research Unit and CARE, it was the perfect opportunity for friends and colleagues to express their admiration and appreciation for Dr Deepak Jadon’s invaluable contribution to improving the lives of patients with inflammatory arthritis. The meeting started with a welcome and celebratory tribute from Professor Karl Gaffney, Consultant Rheumatologist, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Professor Raj Sengupta Consultant Rheumatologist, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath
This was followed by the first ‘Deepak Jadon Lecture’ delivered by Dr William Tillett, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases. The topic, an historical perspective of the management of inflammatory disease, was fascinating and demonstrated just how far our understanding and treatment of the spondyloarthropathies has advanced in the last couple of decades. Of course, the advent of novel treatments is only part of the story. The desire to study, understand and recognise the complexity and burden of inflammatory disease and to develop tools to better assess different aspects of these diseases has been crucial.
As well as delivering contemporary knowledge and clinical skills training, the Academy fosters multi-disciplinary and multi-specialty care, encouraging networking and collaborative research. This was certainly in evidence on the day. Deepak not only contributed to the vastly improved outcomes patients enjoy today, but through his teaching, we are fortunate to have an army of like-minded advocates who will continue his good work. He felt very strongly about the importance of face-to-face meetings and would have been very impressed with the turnout.
The lecture was followed by a reception and dinner by candlelight in the old dining room. The kitchen staff had to work especially hard to produce the food as they had had no gas! We raised a glass to them too. It was lovely to have Deepak’s wife attend the lecture and dinner. Karl told us the following day just how proud she was to join in the celebration and to hear the personal reflections of those present.
The following day, there was a full programme with about 100 delegates, a great mix of doctors, physiotherapists, nurses and research staff. Deepak would have loved the interactive nature of the two day event, and his presence was felt by all those who attended.

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