ACR President Dr. Joan Von Feldt Reflects on Her Year in Office, Advancing Rheumatology!

I have enjoyed the privilege of working with so many dedicated volunteers and staff. The outstanding Executive Committee, including Dr. Lakhanpal, Eric Matteson, MD, Elizabeth Schlenk, PhD, RN, David Daikh, MD, PhD, Paula Marchetta, MD, MBA, Abby Abelson, MD, and Afton Hassett, PsyD, has been critical for having many thought exercises in addressing the challenges of the year. The Board of Directors and committee chairs are a diverse group of excellent thinkers who reliably make sound decisions that affect the future of the ACR. I deeply appreciate their support and dedication.

Those of you who have volunteered for the ACR know the staff are the true engines of the organization, and their dedication and insight are critical to the success of the ACR. Under Mark Andrejeski’s leadership, the ACR always manages to reach new heights of achievement. I am grateful for the guidance and friendship of Mark and his senior staff. A shout-out to Julie Anderson, who organizes the Executive Committee in extraordinary ways and whose help and friendship have been critical to my success (and sanity) this year.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you this year. Change is inevitable, and with your help, the ACR will continue to remain the organization that best Advances Rheumatology!

Joan M. Von Feldt, MD, MSEd, FACR, FACP, is president of the ACR and a professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also staff physician at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.