For more information on nominating a colleague, visit www.rheumatology.org, or contact Rachel Myslinski, ACR senior specialist of administration and governance, at [email protected].
Stand Out from the Crowd: The ACR Seeks Volunteers
Volunteers who serve on the ACR’s committees and subcommittees are a vital component of the organization’s ability to respond to the rheumatology landscape. There are many complex issues facing the rheumatology subspecialty, and the dedicated members who choose to become involved drive the organization’s achievements in the areas of research, advocacy, training, recruitment, education, practice support, and the development of professional standards.
“It has been extraordinarily gratifying working on Committee on Rheumatologic Care, Regional Advisory Council, and now the new Affiliate Society Council, to be able to help improve the practice of rheumatology in this country,” says Al Denio, MD, chair of the ACR’s Affiliate Society Council and member of the Committee on Rheumatologic Care. “The volunteer members of these committees have worked hard to mitigate the obstructions, barriers, and administrative burdens imposed by various healthcare stakeholders that have had deleterious effects on the practice of rheumatology and rheumatic disease patients. The ACR has assembled a bright corps of full-time support staff that helps greatly; however, more clinical practice volunteers are needed to serve. Aiding the ACR’s efforts in sharing best practice strategies, both in the clinical as well as the business side of practice, are areas of ongoing need. If you are passionate about the practice of rheumatology, the ACR needs you. Be someone who cares and fights back for your practice and for your patients.”
While finding volunteers in clinical practice is often a challenge, the ACR needs dedicated volunteers in all areas of rheumatology (research, training, education, etc.) in order to continue its comprehensive work to improve rheumatology. The ACR recognizes that success in responding to the many challenges facing rheumatology depends on the effort of a diverse group of dedicated volunteers who represent all member constituencies.
The Committee on Nominations and Appointments encourages all members interested in volunteering to let the committee know how they might fit in to the ACR’s committee and subcommittee structure. It is very helpful for the committee to receive a statement of the areas in which a volunteer might be interested in working, along with a detailed description of relevant experience. Supporting letters from colleagues confirming or elucidating the member’s contributions and expertise are also helpful. All potential volunteers are carefully considered by the committee, and final decisions on nominations for committee positions are made based on the current needs for particular skills, as well as a consideration of demographic balance among committee members.
