Welcome Home: ACR & ARP Join Forces to Introduce a New Membership Model

“I have found my professional home!” is what ACR and ARP leaders and staff love to hear from members. Now, with a pilot program that revamps the membership model, those devoted to the care of rheumatology patients will have an easier and even more fulfilling membership experience.

“Our team has worked diligently to enhance the value of the membership experience with a new website that offers enhanced learning experiences, seamless access to member profiles and benefits, and an all-new small team membership option,” says ACR President-Elect Deborah Dyett Desir, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine in the Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, New Haven, Conn. “I am delighted that we can offer such a robust, personalized experience to our members.

“Guided by our mission and vision, we have worked to streamline membership categories and enhance them with several new inclusive benefits,” continues Dr. Desir. “Not only does this model offer a simplified application process, but its depth and breadth will help members [more easily] find the tools important to their practice and career development.” 

Individual or Small Team Memberships 

“Like many rheumatologists,” says Dr. Desir, “I am concerned about rheumatology’s workforce shortage. Engaging fellows in training, early career rheumatologists and interprofessional team members is important [so we can] address the needs of our patients now and in the future. Building a strong foundation through a well-networked community, like that of the ACR and ARP membership, is the first step.

“The ACR/ARP is truly the ideal place for high-quality, rheumatology-specific training for individuals from all disciplines and skill levels. With a full range of knowledge from various quarters, the clinical team has the knowledge necessary to improve patient care.

“The best teams work together and learn together,” she adds. “That’s why the ACR/ARP support a team-based approach to rheumatology membership and education through our new small team membership option, providing extended benefits and discounts.” 

Also supporting the new membership model is Aileen Ledingham, PT, MS, PhD, physical therapist at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Mass., and ARP president elect. “I think this overhaul will result in more opportunities for ARP members,” she says, “because if the whole office is signing up, then they will be included. Being part of a group is often a real driver of interest, and I think people will get more curious about what the organization can do for them.” 

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