Find Hope and Healing
The Annual Virtual
Sjogren's Summit
I help you find lasting relief from allergies, autoimmune conditions, & chronic inflammation by creating a safe space for you to reconnect with your body through personalized, integrative expert care.
UNDERSTANDING SJOGREN'S DISEASE
What is Sjogren's Disease?
Sjogren's disease is a chronic autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly sees your own body as a problem. It often targets the glands that produce moisture, primarily affecting the eyes, mouth, nose, skin, and vaginal tissues.
This leads to the hallmark symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth. While these are common signs, Sjogren's is a systemic disease, meaning it impacts other parts of the body as well, including joints, lungs, kidneys, digestive system, and often the nerves.
Experiences with Sjogren's vary, with some having mild symptoms and others more challenges. If you're experiencing persistent dryness, fatigue, or other symptoms mentioned above, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and personalized management strategies.
Early diagnosis and appropriate care are vital for effectively managing Sjogren's and improving your quality of life.
EMPOWERING THE SJOGREN'S COMMUNITY
About the Virtual Sjogren's Summit
The Annual Virtual Sjogren's Summit is a dedicated online event designed to educate, support, and connect individuals affected by Sjogren's disease.
We bring together leading experts, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to share valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and personal experiences.
Our mission is to empower you with the tools and resources you need to navigate the challenges of Sjogren's, improve your overall well-being, and live your life to the fullest.
We offer evidence-based information, create a safe platform for sharing lived experiences, and foster a sense of community.
Unlike some generalized resources or events, the Virtual Sjogren’s Summit provides specific insights tailored to address the diverse challenges presented by Sjogren's.
What Attendees Say
“Enjoyed every single one of them. Gleaned excellent information from all presentations. Gut [focus] was especially timely as been struggling with repeated diverticular problems.”
VSS2024 Attendee
“I learned a lot and enjoyed all the presentations. This summit was excellent for a more personalized view about Sjogren’s management of symptoms, frustration in diagnosis, and understanding from medical professionals.”
VSS2023 Attendee
“As a newly diagnosed Sjogie...I felt very alone and overwhelmed....This summit gave me general direction on steps I can take to help myself.”
Mandy, VSS2022 Attendee
“I found the summit both informative and a nice reminder that others are aware of and working towards helping us patients manage this disease in a compassionate way. I wish more medical professionals were knowledgeable about Sjogren's and had the opportunity to attend and learn. Thank you so much for all the effort put into creating this event, I learned a lot.”
VSS2023 Attendee
“I thought it was excellent & very comprehensive…the topics, speakers, continuity, platform. Thank you so very much.”
VSS2023 Attendee
“Thank you to you and your lineup of speakers for taking the time to give us information on how to help us go through this SS journey and to know we're not alone in dealing with it.”
VSS2023 Attendee
“Through this journey I learned that I’m not alone. The last 17 years have been a difficult journey with Sjogren’s along with multiple other autoimmune diseases... The summit addressed many unanswered questions and opened my eyes to how stress has impacted my life, I also learned more about CBD, oral care, nutrition and most import tips from Dr Schafer.”
Martha, VSS2022 Attendee
Summit in Numbers
PAST SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
Relive the Impact
April 1, 2022
Redefining Success with Sjogren's
Our inaugural summit focused on practical strategies for managing fatigue, dryness, brain fog, and redefining success while living with Sjogren's.
April 1, 2023
Setting Your Path to Success with Sjogren's
This summit featured an expanded lineup of experts and covered diverse topics, including medical gaslighting, self-advocacy, integrative therapies, and systemic manifestations.
July 20, 2024
Gut Instincts for Sjogren's
This summit explored the crucial gut-Sjogren's connection. Recordings include presentations on the epithelial barrier, managing gastroparesis, MCAS, and more.
Join Us for the Next
Virtual Sjogren's Summit!
This summit explored the crucial gut-Sjogren's connection. Recordings include presentations on the epithelial barrier, managing gastroparesis, MCAS, and more.
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The Summit Isn't Over.
Your Journey to Empowerment is
Just Beginning.
You’ve felt the connection. You’ve had the "aha!" moments.
Now, what if you could hold on to all of it, forever?
FAQ
About the Summit
Frequently asked questions regarding our leadership, financial model, and commitment
to long-term impact for those living with Sjögren’s.
Who runs the Virtual Sjögren’s Summit?
The Virtual Sjögren’s Summit is created and led by physician and patient Dr. Kara Wada. It is built in collaboration with a team of clinicians, educators, and individuals living with Sjögren’s who help shape the content, programming, and overall experience.
Is the Virtual Sjögren’s Summit a nonprofit?
No. The Virtual Sjögren’s Summit operates as a for-profit, mission-driven initiative.
What does “for-profit with purpose” mean?
Being for-profit allows us to sustainably build, grow, and improve the Summit without relying on grants, donations, or external funding cycles. Our decisions are guided by our mission: improving access to high-quality, practical, and compassionate Sjögren’s education and support.
This model gives us flexibility to:
- Invest in better technology and user experience
- Compensate contributors fairly
- Respond quickly to community needs
- Expand programming in thoughtful, sustainable ways
Why aren’t you a nonprofit?
There are a few intentional reasons:
- Sustainability: Nonprofits often depend on inconsistent funding sources, which can limit long-term planning and innovation.
- Speed and flexibility: A for-profit structure allows us to adapt more quickly and implement new ideas without administrative barriers.
- Alignment: Our focus is on building something that is both impactful and durable over time, without compromising quality or accessibility.
That said, we deeply respect nonprofit organizations and frequently collaborate with and learn from them.
Where does the money go?
Revenue from the Summit is reinvested into several key areas:
- Paying the team who plan, organize, and support the Summit
- Technology, platform infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance
- Speaker honoraria to recognize the time and expertise of contributors
- Development of new educational materials and programming
What about advertising or sponsorship revenue?
Any advertising or sponsorship dollars are used intentionally and transparently. These funds are directed toward:
- Expanding access to programs for individuals who may not otherwise be able to participate
- Supporting the development of additional educational resources
- Contributing to future research and innovation efforts in Sjögren’s care
Our goal is to ensure that any external funding directly benefits the community.
Will the Sjögren’s Summit ever become a nonprofit?
It’s something we’ve considered, including the possibility of developing a nonprofit arm in the future. At this stage, we have not made that transition, as we want to ensure any structure we choose best supports long-term impact, transparency, and sustainability.
How do you approach transparency?
We believe financial transparency builds trust. That’s why we aim to clearly communicate how decisions are made and how resources are used. As the Summit grows, we will continue to share updates about our structure, priorities, and impact.
The Virtual Sjögren’s Summit is an independent initiative and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Sjögren’s Foundation
