The ACR Selects Tien-I Karleen Su, MD, FACR, as Community Practice Council Chair

The ACR is pleased to announce the selection of Tien-I Karleen Su, MD, FACR, as the first chairperson of the Community Practice Council (CPC). Dr. Su was confirmed by the Board of Directors at its recent February meeting. Dr. Su’s impressive credentials, qualifications and passion for independent rheumatology practice make her an excellent selection for the CPC’s first chair. Her leadership and vision will undoubtedly play a key role in making the CPC’s work impactful.

About Dr. Su

Dr. Su

Dr. Su studied medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and completed her rheumatology fellowship at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Dr. Su is a co-founder of Amicus Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center, Whittier, Calif. She is a principal investigator of several clinical studies on rheumatological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. She has served rheumatology patients in the Southeast Los Angeles area for more than 10 years. She comes to the position with a great deal of experience in private practice, and she is passionate about ensuring that private practice is a viable and sustainable option for rheumatologists for years to come.

About the CPC

The CPC is a new body that will comprise 15–18 rheumatology professionals in small or independent practices around the country. It will focus exclusively on issues confronting ACR members in a private practice setting. The CPC will have the opportunity to bring issues to ACR committees, such as the Government Affairs Committee and Committee on Rheumatologic Care. It will also provide invaluable consultation and feedback as the ACR works to address issues and concerns that are specifically important to independent practitioners.

Next Steps

In the coming weeks, Dr. Su will be working with ACR leaders and staff to fill the remaining CPC seats. It will not be an easy task. The call for applications generated interest from 70 highly qualified applicants, including many members who have not previously volunteered with the ACR. This means the new Council will provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce fresh voices and perspectives to ACR volunteer service and leadership.

The ACR will also be looking for other ways in which applicants who are not initially selected for the Council can contribute to the ACR’s efforts to amplify the voice of members in private practice. Applicants who are not selected for initial CPC membership will remain in a queue to fill seats as they are vacated, ensuring applicants will have an opportunity to serve on the CPC and/or lend their voice to the ACR’s efforts to support independent practitioners.

The first official meeting of the CPC will be during Education Exchange 2023, held April 28–30 in Orlando, Fla. Registration for Education Exchange 2023 is open now.

Joseph Cantrell, JD, is ACR’s director of state affairs and community relations.