Marcy Bolster, MD, views education as a high priority in rheumatology clinical practice and research, not only during fellowship training but also throughout one’s entire professional career. A professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Dr. Bolster wants to foster opportunities for rheumatologists and other specialists to connect through education.
Dr. Bolster
As she steps into a new role as chair of the ACR’s Committee on Education, Dr. Bolster shares some of her thoughts on education and her ideas for the committee with The Rheumatologist.
The Rheumatologist (TR): How did you end up becoming chair of the Committee on Education?
Dr. Bolster: Being part of the committee relates to my lifelong professional commitment to education across the spectrum of learners. I am a program director and have a strong sense of dedication to education, for rheumatology fellows as well as for medical students and internal medicine trainees. I am also involved in educational initiatives for peers, including colleagues within and outside of rheumatology.
I recently was a member-at-large for the ACR Board of Directors (BOD), and I would say educational initiatives are very high priority across the entire College. Education intersects with many—actually nearly all—of the ACR’s other committees, and I hope my perspective from my time on the BOD will be helpful. As I join the Committee on Education as the new chair, I look forward to listening and learning about progress that’s already been made, the many accomplishments and innovative ideas, then working together with the many subcommittee and committee members to foster areas for new growth.
The Committee on Education provides [many types of] content, and there is tremendous opportunity and value for education as a connection for each of us with our colleagues. ACR Convergence is a hub for education and connectivity. There is great energy at this meeting. It would be great to continue the collegiality, connectedness and learning through the ACR throughout the entire year.
TR: How have you previously been involved in volunteering with the ACR?
Dr. Bolster: I have been involved in the ACR for my entire career. I was most recently on the Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024, and I was a member of and then a subsequent chair of the Committee on Training, which used to be called the Committee on Training and Workforce. I was involved in the 2015 Workforce Study and helped to launch Rheum2Learn, which is a set of online modules to help internists and medical students learn more about rheumatology.
I have been involved in several other committees, including the Committee on Ethics, the Committee on Marketing and Communications, the State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium Planning Committee and the Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC).
TR: What are some of your plans and goals for the Committee on Education?
Dr. Bolster: I think my first goal is to listen and hear where things are and learn about the multifaceted approach to education that forms the foundation for this committee. I want to look for ways the Committee on Education can continue to bring innovation as well as provide [educational] content throughout the year.
Aligning with these goals, it is a priority to find ways to enrich our connections with each other through education throughout the year. We’re just coming out of ACR Convergence 2024, and it was a spectacular meeting. I am very grateful for the leadership provided by Greg Gardner, MD, the AMPC chair, as well as the entire AMPC group of volunteers and ACR staff.
One of the real gems of ACR Convergence is the connection we feel with our colleagues and the fact that the ACR feels like home to us. It’s exciting to see people, network and meet new people. Is there a way we can bring that forward year-round?
TR: Is there anything else you’d like to say about your role on the committee?
Dr. Bolster: I’m really looking forward to working with the committee and subcommittee members, and I am also excited to work with the ACR staff. The ACR staff provide incredible structure, support and organization to all activities for the committee’s work.
TR: What are some things you like to do in your free time?
Dr. Bolster: I like to work out and enjoy using the Peloton. My favorite instructors are Ben Aldis and Leanne Hainsby. In my free time, I really like to bring people together. I love to entertain. I love to cook and experience new food activities with people, whether it’s a cooking class, going out to eat or being adventuresome in the kitchen at home. My favorite word is gather. I love to be part of bringing people together.
Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.
