The Past & Future of Rheumatology Professionals: ACR/ARHP works to address the challenges we face

We have been at the forefront of advocacy, meeting with legislators to eliminate the gag clause for pharmacists, which prevents them from informing patients about lower priced alternatives, and to overturn therapy caps for rehabilitation professionals, which make it difficult for patients to receive adequate rehabilitation from the effects of their disease. Our ongoing legislative requests address issues around step therapy, the workforce shortage, research, prior authorizations and pharmacy benefit managers. To keep up to date and help with these efforts, you can access information in our Legislative Action Center.

The Rheumatology Research Foundation continues to offer thousands of dollars in research grants to all rheumatology professionals, inclusive of both ACR and ARHP members, to help individuals remain successful in their career paths at all levels—whether students, residents, fellows or junior or senior investigators.

As we reflect on 2018 and look to the future, we embrace our organization’s promise to the rheumatology community: “We are here for you, so you can be there for your patients.”

Thank you for providing us the honor and opportunity to serve as your volunteer leaders for 2018.

David I. Daikh, MD, PhD, is the 81st president of the ACR. Dr. Daikh serves as the director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program at the University of California, San Francisco, and as chief of the Rheumatology Division at the SFVA Medical Center, where he directs the Rheumatology Clinic.

ARHP President Sandra Mintz, MSN, RN-BC, is a nurse care manager at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Rheumatology. As a clinician, educator, researcher and patient advocate, she is responsible for the coordination of care across the healthcare continuum for pediatric patients living with rheumatic diseases. Ms. Mintz has been a member of ARHP since 2002 and an active volunteer since 2003.