“In these meetings, the ACR brought forward vital messages for our nation’s leaders to support National Institutes of Health funded research, preserve access to care for Medicare patients, oppose cuts to Medicaid and urge pharmacy benefit management reform to lower prescription drug costs and increase access to treatments for patients. As a result of these collective efforts, we have seen a number of successes where the voice of rheumatology has brought about change,” she said.
Dr. Langford, who’s term as ACR president finished on the last day of the meeting, urged members to become involved with advocacy efforts in 2026.
The Opening Session also included opening remarks from ARP President Adam Goode, PT, DPT, PhD, vice chair of clinical research and epidemiology in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and professor of orthpaedic surgery, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
Additionally, Liana Fraenkel, MD, MPH, who was ending her term as president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation, shared highlights from the foundation, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Dr. Fraenkel is director of Patient Centered Population Health Research, Berkshire Health Systems, and an adjunct professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.
For details on the awards presented during the Opening Session, check out the following articles:
- 2025 ACR Awards of Distinction;
- 2025 ARP Merit Awards;
- 2025 ACR Masters; and
- 2025 ACR Distinguished Fellows.
Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.
References
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- Olson KD, Meeker D, Troup M, et al. Use of ambient AI scribes to reduce administrative burden and professional burnout. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Oct 1;8(10):e2534976.
