4 ARP Members Talk About Their Roads to Advocacy & Why It Matters

Virtual ≠ Unreal

Ms. Sampson

Laura Sampson, PA-C, a physician assistant at Orthopaedics and Rheumatology of the North Shore, Skokie, Ill., says, “I joined the GAC in 2019 to help guide legislation affecting our profession and patients. I was looking forward to the ‘Hill Days’ that I’d heard so much about—the organized advocacy meetings with members of Congress in Washington, D.C., that were energizing, positive and a great way to get to know colleagues across the country. However, like so many things in 2020, expectations changed with quarantine.

“I was apprehensive that a ‘virtual advocacy day’ would not be quite as effective, but I am so grateful that I was able to participate in this unique experience.

“Virtual advocacy gave me the opportunity to talk to my representatives about urgently relevant issues, like telemedicine. I felt the impact of those discussions when I was able to treat my patients safely from their home.

“I was also able to learn from peers and patients. One of my patients joined our group during the Advocates for Arthritis meeting in September. She is a sommelier who could not open a bottle of wine because of her rheumatoid arthritis until we treated it. Listening to her describe her rheumatoid arthritis journey with our representative gave me a refreshed appreciation for how the work we do truly affects patients’ quality of life.

“There are silver linings to be found everywhere, especially in this pandemic. It is rare that the entire world and, specifically, medicine can change so quickly, and I am excited to be a part of this process.”

Get Involved

If you, too, are interested in helping patients and the profession while making meaningful connections, visit the Legislative Action Center on the ACR’s website.