Communication is invaluable when it comes to spreading the word about many different aspects of care for rheumatic diseases, whether it’s evidence-based patient education support for rheumatologists, information on access to medication options for patients or helping educate the public about the practice of rheumatology. That’s according to Kelly Weselman, MD, FACR, a rheumatologist with the WellStar Health System in Atlanta, and chair of the ACR’s Committee on Marketing & Communications (CMC).
Communication Vehicles
With Dr. Weselman at the helm, the committee oversees College communications through such vehicles as The Rheumatologist, digital communications and patient education resources, as well as external communications to spread knowledge to the public about rheumatic diseases and care. One important way to spread this knowledge is through the ACR’s annual Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM), which occurs each September as part of the ACR’s Simple Tasks public awareness campaign. RDAM continues to evolve and reach the public in new ways.
In 2017, Dr. Weselman and members of the committee recruited sports personality Terry Bradshaw to serve as the face of RDAM. His message focused on raising awareness that sore joints can be a symptom of rheumatic disease that affects many people, not just athletes.
“By Mr. Bradshaw sharing his own experiences with rheumatoid arthritis and through other RDAM activities, such as state proclamations recognizing September for [rheumatic disease] awareness, patients and family members of those living with rheumatic disease had a chance to educate their own communities about the challenges they face and the care and research breakthroughs that are helping them,” Dr. Weselman explains.
Giving Back
In her sixth year of working on the CMC, Dr. Weselman is encouraged to see RDAM and other ACR outreach activities driving an increase in public awareness of rheumatology practice in her travels across the country—awareness she sees as invaluable to patients finding access to care.
Other recent accomplishments of the committee include:
- Expanding the digital patient education resources the ACR provides for members to share with their patients on specific rheumatic diseases and treatments to include seven new therapy pages;
- Expanding the ACR’s Simple Tasks public awareness campaign to include outreach efforts that educate the broader public about issues affecting rheumatology patients, as well as grassroots campaigns that give patients a vehicle to make their voices heard; and
- Launching a committee spotlight for the ACR’s website to showcase the projects, priorities and achievements of ACR volunteer committees.
This month, Dr. Weselman is leading committee members in shaping plans for RDAM 2018, building on the public knowledge focus with new ways to empower rheumatologists and their patients to optimize care through greater awareness.
The Value of Volunteering
Since her entry into rheumatology practice after a mentor convinced her to complete a medical school rotation in rheumatology, Dr. Weselman has found time to get involved with the ACR in a variety of ways. She started small by getting involved with the ACR’s Simple Tasks Awareness Campaign. Next, she served in her first official volunteer role on the ACR’s Strategic Plan Task Force, which led her to become involved in the CMC, as she learned more about how much the ACR was doing that members needed to know about.
“Members don’t always realize the depth and breadth of work the ACR does for them. It’s been exciting for me to have the opportunity to give back to the College by serving on a committee tasked with finding new ways to share this information,” she says.
Dr. Weselman says working for the ACR gives her time to step away from daily practice hurdles, such as fighting to get medications for her patients, to gain fresh perspective on the critical ways rheumatologists can truly serve their patients by advancing the profession.
Working with the ACR has also allowed her to grow her professional network exponentially.
Tips for Getting Involved
Dr. Weselman took a gradual approach to volunteering with the ACR: She first participated in a committee activity and offered input to a committee when asked. Finally, she decided to join. This slow approach allowed Dr. Weselman to test how the time commitment fit into her life. She suggests this approach might be a good way for other members to test the waters for volunteering their time with the College.
“Working with ACR staff and volunteers is a fun way to connect with colleagues and get away from the office for a short time, and it gives me a way to advocate for patients and the specialty,” she says.
The time she gives to the ACR doesn’t stop her from pursuing her passions in rheumatology practice for her patients or in her personal life. Dr. Weselman is an avid swimmer who trains for competitive open-water swimming events, such as a 5K in Atlanta’s Lake Lanier last year. She also enjoys spending time with her family, raising two teenage boys.
For More Information
To learn more about the work of the Communications and Marketing Committee over the past year, visit the Committee Spotlight page and scroll down to read Dr. Weselman’s report.
Don’t forget to check out ways you can get involved as a volunteer member for the ACR. You can also offer your services for short-term, low time-commitment volunteer opportunities.
Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.
