“I didn’t think I could do this when it was presented to me,” says Dr. Isaacs, clinical assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. But her patients who are able to contribute to WOR have taken great satisfaction in doing so, she says.
To date, about $1.3 million has been raised from patients by the ambassadors. Overall, the campaign has raised $18 million toward the $30 million goal.
“Within Our Reach” is the biggest grant program within the REF, although it offers many other grant opportunities for physicians and health professionals (see “Apply for REF Grants,” below). Its mission is “to promote the future of rheumatology by supporting and attracting terrific people into the field,” says Dr. O’Dell, through the core values of “supporting training, early career development, and research.” Even medical students and health professionals in training can apply for research funding. “We take seriously the recruitment of gifted medical students and residents into rheumatology,” says Dr. O’Dell.
David Holzman is a freelance writer based in Massachusetts.