For me, volunteering for the ARP and the ACR has been invaluable. I think it holds particular value for those early in their careers, but honestly anyone, no matter where they are in their careers, can gain a great deal by volunteering for the ARP or the ACR.
TR: What are some of the many ways you have volunteered over the years?
Dr. Cleveland: My first volunteer role was with the Annual Meeting Planning Subcommittee (AMPC), where I eventually became the abstract chair. After that, I served on the ARP Subcommittee on Research, later serving as chair. I’ve been a member of the ACR Committee on Finance. Beyond that, I’ve served as a statistical editor for Arthritis Care & Research. I’ve held positions on the ARP Executive Committee, and I’m the current co-chair of the ACR/ARP Membership and Awards Committee (MAC). Being a part of the MAC is important and rewarding work, including the continued optimization of our membership model and the streamlining of the awards nomination process. But the really fun part is being able to recognize more than 40 of our amazing members with awards!
TR: The ARP also singled you out for a 2021 President’s Award to note your outstanding service in advancing the goals, ideals and standards of the association.
Dr. Cleveland: I was very honored to receive that award from Past President Christine Stamatos. And honestly, once I started volunteering, I got hooked and couldn’t stop. It is an honor to serve the ARP and contribute to it being the premier resource for our members and to uphold our mission of empowering rheumatology professionals to excel in their specialty.
TR: Through that considerable volunteer work, you have been involved in many topics that affect the membership of both the ARP and the ACR. How will that influence your term as the ARP president?
Dr. Cleveland: Early on serving on the ARP AMPC Subcommittee, I learned the value of partnering with the ACR to help create joint ARP/ACR sessions that were relevant for many of our members across the College. That experience led me to become a proponent of bringing together programs of the ARP and the ACR that share similar goals and interests, including strong continued support for combining the separate Committees on Research from each organization. By joining forces, we can share resources, cut down on overlap and make a bigger impact. We are stronger together.
