Video: Every Case Tells a Story| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

  • Conditions
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout and Crystalline Arthritis
    • Myositis
    • Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders
    • Pain Syndromes
    • Pediatric Conditions
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sjögren’s Disease
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    • Systemic Sclerosis
    • Vasculitis
    • Other Rheumatic Conditions
  • FocusRheum
    • ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Guidance
    • Clinical Criteria/Guidelines
    • Ethics
    • Legal Updates
    • Legislation & Advocacy
    • Meeting Reports
      • ACR Convergence
      • Other ACR meetings
      • EULAR/Other
    • Research Rheum
  • Drug Updates
    • Analgesics
    • Biologics/DMARDs
  • Practice Support
    • Billing/Coding
    • EMRs
    • Facility
    • Insurance
    • QA/QI
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Opinion
    • Patient Perspective
    • Profiles
    • Rheuminations
      • Video
    • Speak Out Rheum
  • Career
    • ACR ExamRheum
    • Awards
    • Career Development
  • ACR
    • ACR Home
    • ACR Convergence
    • ACR Guidelines
    • Journals
      • ACR Open Rheumatology
      • Arthritis & Rheumatology
      • Arthritis Care & Research
    • From the College
    • Events/CME
    • President’s Perspective
  • Search

2 ARP Volunteers Share Their Enriching Experiences

Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd  |  Issue: November 2021  |  November 14, 2021

Ms. Hughell

Ms. Hughell

LH: For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an ARP volunteer is that I have gotten to know the various experiences, backgrounds and opinions of health professionals who practice all over the country. I have met wonderful people through the ARP who have taught me so much and have become dear friends. I think my most interesting experience was being on the planning committee for the annual meeting and collaborating with other health professionals to plan sessions. It has, however, been more challenging to volunteer since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Because we are not traveling, my committee work is done remotely, thus it is harder to synergize as a committee.

TR: What type of mentorship have you received for developing leadership skills?

ad goes here:advert-1
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

NF: While I was initially going to pursue leadership opportunities with the ARP, it was the time when I was going through tenure and my advisors said, ‘Now is not the time to get involved in that.’ (I do regret following their advice.) The way they are structuring the leadership track at the ARP has only improved and is very transparent and supportive. If a volunteer has leadership aspirations, there is no shortage of people who are willing to talk, help determine the best approach to a given situation and provide clear guidance on what is needed.

LH: Although I have not been involved in formal mentoring through the ARP, over the years the leadership has encouraged me to get involved in a variety of opportunities that would stretch me in a professional manner. As such, I have undertaken activities that I otherwise would not have, such as editing rheumatology curricula.

ad goes here:advert-2
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

TR: How difficult/easy was it to volunteer with the ARP?

NF: Extremely easy. Even if you are un­decided as to whether you want to volunteer, I recommend filling out the form and ranking your committees of interest. When someone from the ARP calls you for an initial conversation, then they may tell you things that open up your thought process about the benefits of volunteering for a given committee. And rest assured there is a lot of outreach along the way so you won’t blindly volunteer for something.

Being on a committee, you are surrounded by people who communicate in a professional manner and who are accepting of opposing viewpoints. They are accustomed to compromise and understand the way to reach a consensus via teamwork.

LH: I found the process of volunteering to be a smooth one, with ample support and detailed guidance from members who had encountered similar issues on prior occasions. Committee chairs have always been helpful in guiding committee members on what needs to be done.

TR: Why do you value volunteering?

NF: Frankly, the members are wonderful, and the staff is astonishingly organized. For example, at this year’s Membership and Nomination Committee, they had any information required at their fingertips—there was no, ‘We’ll get back to you.’ Importantly, they maximize their efficiency because they realize that volunteers have primary jobs, and they want to make it as easy on us as possible to continue to volunteer.

As an ARP volunteer there is an ongoing and stimulating exchange of knowledge that I would not have access to if I did not donate some of my time to the organization. It’s a great way to learn what other types of practitioners are doing in the field and to ask questions in an informal way. It helps you get out of your own little ‘bubble.’

LH: Volunteering with the ARP keeps me engaged in the field of rheumatology and dedicated to rheumatology as a physician assistant. I would say that this work had enhanced my sense of professional pride—I am proud of the organization, the people and the knowledge I have gained.

TR: What advice would you give to new members hoping to get involved?

NF: I would say to ease your way in, perhaps by first participating in abstract review in preparation for the annual meeting (an easy, one-time occurrence). You can select a topic area and you will be assigned several abstracts to review and grade. Then, assuming that this goes well, you could volunteer to moderate a session. It is a straightforward process as they tell you what to do, namely, introduce people, and get the questions rolling. It is an ideal way to meet new colleagues from around the country.

Take every opportunity offered, and if you try one committee and it’s not what you expected, then try a different one. Take baby steps and you will be shocked at the unexpected benefits that come from volunteering your time.

LH: Just do it. Try things out. … Get out of your comfort zone and you will therefore grow professionally in the process. Be open-minded about being on different committees—just think how much you will learn. Volunteering at the annual meeting is a great opportunity for micro-volunteering, such as moderating sessions and topic tables.

How You Can Get Involved

ARP committee nominations are open Nov. 1–Feb. 1. All members interested in a three-year committee position or a micro-volunteer opportunity are encouraged to submit an application. Visit https://www.rheumatology.org/Get-Involved/Volunteer/Board-Committees for more information about open opportunities. Still have questions? Send an email to [email protected].  R

Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd, is a freelance medical editor and writer based in the greater New Orleans area.

Page: 1 2 3 | Single Page
Share: 

Filed under:Interprofessional Perspective Tagged with:interdisciplinaryVolunteerism

Related Articles

    The 2022 ARP President’s & Merit Awards

    November 6, 2022

    During ACR Convergence 2022 in early November, the ACR and the ARP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. This month, The Rheumatologist profiles the recipients of the ARP President’s and Merit Awards. ARP PRESIDENT’S AWARDS The ARP president can choose to honor ACR/ARP…

    Who You Know Matters … But Not with the ARP

    October 13, 2021

    Over the past 16 months, the world has shone a bright light on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Although the College has been focused on diversity initiatives since 2020, the interprofessional division of the College, the ARP, has recently taken a deeper dive into DEI initiatives in its processes, procedures and volunteering….

    New ACR/ARP Committee Members Are Ready to Work

    January 16, 2020

    Volunteering is a great way to give back and can be truly meaningful. Myriad worthwhile causes exist, so it can be hard to choose among them, but donating time to ACR and ARP committees helps promote rheumatology practice and brings awareness to rheumatic diseases. The College relies on volunteers to help achieve strategic priorities, promote…

    The 2021 ARP President’s Awards & Merit Awards

    November 14, 2021

    During ACR Convergence 2021 in early November, the ACR and the ARP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. This month, The Rheumatologist profiles the winners of the ARP President’s and Merit Awards. ARP PRESIDENT’S AWARDS The ARP president can choose to honor ACR/ARP…

  • About Us
  • Meet the Editors
  • Issue Archives
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. ISSN 1931-3268 (print). ISSN 1931-3209 (online).
  • DEI Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences