Membership Means Excellence
What does it mean to be on the forefront of cutting-edge information, with countless opportunities to expand your network, and to be part of a team supported by high-quality educational content and resource tools? According to Tami Brehm, ACR vice president of member experience & governance, the answer is one word: excellence.
“This reflects the messaging we received from our members and the larger community when talking about the value of the ACR and that of its interprofessional division, the ARP,” says Ms. Brehm. “We also heard that the ACR/ARP is their professional home, their community, their place.”
Concentrating on what was heard in focus groups and gathered feedback, the ACR/ARP set out to reimagine the membership experience via simplified membership categories, enhanced value through bundled benefits, and easy searchability and access to tools and resources.
Enter Clarity
“With a clear value proposition of excellence in membership, offering a clean pathway to join the rheumatology community via a more personalized and seamless journey, members will now have an enriched experience and a place to call home,” says Ms. Brehm. “Our new Find My Fit tool will easily guide people through the process of selecting a membership option that fits them best. It will also provide the option to create a small team membership of four, six or 15, providing extended value to our community practices and academic groups interested in a team-based approach to education and professional development.
“Being in the medical profession is more stressful than ever,” says Ms. Brehm, “and people are looking for a sense of community, understanding, camaraderie and a place where they can find the necessary resources at their fingertips. Having a vibrant, growing membership will help stabilize the interprofessional workforce team, better support the rheumatologists and help people find a place where they can grow, contribute and be supported for years to come.”
Asked what her overarching message would be to new members, Ms. Brehm said, “Welcome home!”
Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd, is a freelance medical editor and writer based in the greater New Orleans area.
Simplified Membership Categories
Individual ACR Membership Categories
- Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology
- Full Member
- Transitional
- Student
Individual ARP Membership Categories
- Full Member
- Transitional
- Student
Small Team Membership Categories
- Team of 4 (1 physician + 3 interprofessionals): 20% savings
- Team of 6 (1 physician + 5 interprofessionals): 30% savings
- Team of 15 (1 physician + 14 interprofessionals): 40% savings
