TR: Your volunteer work has had important effects on members. For example, in 2009, the ACR singled out you and Barbara Slusher, MSW, PA-C (who served as the ARP president in 2022), as co-recipients of the ACR President’s Award, recognizing you for your leadership roles in developing the ARP Advanced Practice Skills Training Course. Can you describe that effort and why it was a significant step forward?
Dr. Dewing: After my original volunteer work on the Clinical Focus Course Task Force, I went on to help develop or expand other ARP educational programs. The ARP had identified a need for additional training resources for new NPs and physician assistants (PAs) entering rheumatology, especially on skills like performing joint counts or joint injections. Ms. Slusher and I were asked to create the ARP Advanced Practice Skills Training Course, which accompanied the early version of the Advanced Rheumatology Course—currently being revised. The ARP course helped NPs and PAs develop the skills necessary to practice in the subspecialty of rheumatology, evaluating and managing complex medical conditions with immunologic therapies.
To understand the significance of the task force and the educational programming that followed, I think back to when I first started in this field 20 years ago. At that time, advanced practice providers in rheumatology were quite rare, and our role was limited and often questioned or misunderstood. Now, we’re coveted and valued members of the rheumatology team, thanks in part to the support of ARP and the extensive educational portfolio that has helped us along this journey. I feel privileged to have been part of the early days of NP/PA rheumatology education, to see how much it has developed and to witness the advancement in our field and how far we’ve come in such a short time.
TR: You mentioned that the ARP is involved in a wealth of ongoing projects and initiatives. Which are you particularly enthused about for the coming year?
Dr. Dewing: Over the past year, the ACR leadership has worked hard to develop the 2022–2027 strategic plan, which provides a framework for all our programs and activities for the next five years. With the values of innovation, collaboration, inclusion and community as the focus, I am particularly excited to see this in action.
I feel very fortunate to be coming into this position as president of the ARP right now. The College is actively engaging members of the interprofessional team with its focus on inclusion and diversity, realizing the added value we provide. Those who have served before me have worked hard to foster activities and programs that will support, reconnect and re-invigorate the rheumatology team so we can better serve our patients. This includes strong legislative advocacy, fun and rewarding networking opportunities, professional support and development, innovative educational programming and new and increased funding opportunities for ARP members engaged in research supported by the Foundation. I get the fun job of watching all these new ideas and projects blossom and come to life and, in the background, prepare for the future.
