A new presidential administration took office in January 2017. Although no one truly knows what directions our government and economy will take, one projection is that healthcare regulatory and insurance coverage policies will change, possibly dramatically. In a time of uncertainty, rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals can turn to the ACR/ARHP for support, guidance and…
For they’re some very good fellows … no, seriously. They are this year’s recipients of the ACR Distinguished Fellows Awards. The Rheumatologist spoke with them about their burgeoning contributions to Advancing Rheumatology! ACR Distinguished Fellow Awards Eric Allenspach, MD, PhD Acting Assistant Professor, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle Background: Dr. Allenspach seeks to understand the genetic basis…
The ACR is committed to advocating for appropriate coverage and payment policies. The volunteer members of the Insurance Subcommittee (ISC) lead this effort by representing the ACR and its membership to the insurance industry. The ISC engages payers to ensure their policies are clinically appropriate and promote patient access to high-quality care and treatment. The…
Did you know that the ACR holds an annual Knowledge Bowl competition in conjunction with the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting? Two fellows, along with a faculty mentor, compete in two to three rounds of trivia, modeled on the television game show Jeopardy! For the past three years I have participated, along with my team, the University…
Ten years have elapsed since the ACR conducted its last workforce study, and we know that much has changed. The comprehensive patient-centered, integrative approach to the 2015 ACR/ARHP Workforce Study of Rheumatology Specialists in the United States (now publicly available) describes the character and composition of the current clinical workforce, recognizes demographic and employment trends,…
This past June, Yvonne Golightly, PT, MS, PhD, helped launch an international group of researchers focused on foot and ankle osteoarthritis. At the time, Dr. Golightly, an assistant professor in the department of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, N.C., was attending the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)…
At the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., in November, the ACR and the ARHP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. In the November 2016 issue, we reported on the ARHP’s awards. This month, we speak with the ACR winners. Presidential Gold…
Our elected officials make decisions every day that affect our lives and the lives of our patients. These decisions are often based on input they have received from advocates and lobbyists, constituents and fellow lawmakers. Regardless of our ideals, money plays a role in this decision making, because political contributions facilitate access to legislators and…
The ACR’s Affiliate Society Council (ASC) membership has grown from 34 states to 40 since 2015. The growth of the Council is mainly attributed to newly formed state societies, as well as existing state societies focusing on orienting themselves for advocacy on behalf of rheumatologists and their patients. Increased participation by state societies helps support…
It is a great honor to serve you as the 80th president of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The ACR is a leader in the world of rheumatology. Therefore, with this privilege also comes enormous responsibility. A Brief History of the ACR The first efforts to study and control the rheumatic diseases in the…