Dear colleagues and friends,

We would like to welcome you to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the 5th Global Conference on Myositis.  We are very happy to be hosting this meeting, which will be in hybrid format. While this format will allow us to accommodate those of you who are unable to travel to Pittsburgh, we hope that you can attend in person to share the latest advancements in the myositis arena and to interact face-to-face, especially during the informal parts of the meeting. Being together as a community should provide an immediate sense of authenticity and experience.  Since the 1st convention held in Stockholm in 2015, followed by meetings in Potomac in 2017, Berlin in 2019, and Prague in 2022, this conference has firmly established its place in the field of myositis research. Participation of researchers, clinicians, and health professionals from the fields of rheumatology, neurology, pediatrics, dermatology, pathology, immunology, pulmonology, physiotherapy and other specialities offers a unique opportunity to meet and discuss the topics from different perspectives. From the outset of these conferences, strong attention has been paid to stimulating the active participation of young physicians and scientists. We hope that the spirit of GCOM 2024 will continue to promote easy communication between younger and more experienced participants, with the ultimate goal of stimulating future progress in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of myositis.

Again, we look forward to seeing all of you and hope that you find some time to explore our beautiful city.

On behalf of the organizing committee,

Dana Ascherman