In the next year, she is working to hand the reins of leading Advocacy 101 over to a new rheumatology fellow to continue inspiring the next generation of advocacy experts for the College. Already this year as part of a larger working group within GAC, she helped to draft the ACR’s policy statements for 2018.
Making Time to Advocate
Taking an active role in advocating for rheumatology also gives Dr. Downey one more way to support her patients, and she enjoys sharing information about her advocacy work with them, because it lets them know she’s speaking up about important issues, such as access to medications and treatments. “Patients are happy to know you are taking care of them, even beyond the walls of your practice.”
She says advocacy work is just as important at the state and local levels, because all legislators want to hear directly from physicians about how policies affect patients. “If they don’t hear from us, they will be making decisions based on bad information or no information, which is not a good outcome for anyone.”
Recognizing the time constraints busy physicians face, Dr. Downey says advocacy must be something you build into your schedule. This is something she does literally, scheduling time on her calendar for her advocacy work with the ACR around her practice and personal life.
Outside of work, Dr. Downey keeps busy with her husband and two children by exploring new places in the outdoors through hiking, kayaking and surfing. She also keeps herself grounded through a dedicated yoga practice.
Any members who are interested in getting involved with Advocacy 101 or other advocacy work can contact Dr. Downey.
Additional Resources
Read study findings about how members who participated in the ACR’s Advocacy 101 program increased engagement in health policy and advocacy.
Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.
