President’s Corner: Our Global Rheumatology Community

Collaborative Criteria Projects

Since 2005, the ACR and EULAR have jointly supported criteria projects that focus on areas presenting universal challenges to rheumatology (https://rheumatology.org/criteria). Through the Quality of Care Committee, the ACR has worked with EULAR to develop standardized tools for research related to rheumatic diseases. This international effort, bringing together experts from North America and Europe, has developed criteria in classification, risk stratification and disease response. Funding is provided by both the ACR and EULAR, with projects being selected through an annual call for proposals (https://rheumatology.org/call-for-criteria-proposals).

International Advisers

In 2023 the ACR established an International Adviser Network to increase awareness of ACR/ARP programs and opportunities that are available to the international rheumatology community. These advisers are the ACR’s local representatives around the world, engaging with international members and organizations, which informs development of the ACR’s global engagement activities. For more information about the International Advisers Network, contact [email protected].

Members of the ACR and EULAR leadership came together at EULAR 2025. (Click to enlarge.)

Global Webinar Series

The ACR Global Webinar Series is a virtual educational program designed for an international audience of rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals. The series highlights diverse healthcare systems and practices, promoting a comprehensive understanding of rheumatology on a global scale. The series includes:

• Global Meet the Experts offers challenging case-based discussions with top rheumatology experts who share their experiences and innovative care approaches.
• Global Journal Club facilitates the discussion of recent impactful articles in the field of rheumatology, fostering a global exchange of knowledge and ideas. The inaugural webinar took place in April 2025 and is available on demand, with the next program scheduled for September 2025.

Journals

The diverse authorship of publications in ACR journals reflects the scientific contributions to rheuma­tology that are being made in every country. Accepted articles not only provide insights that advance our knowledge about the mechanisms and treatment of rheumatic disease, but highlight other issues of shared importance across our specialty, including improving patient quality of life, access to care and growing the rheumatology workforce.

Global Research Exchange Program scholars visited the National Institutes of Health during ACR Convergence 2024. (Click to enlarge.)

ACR Convergence

We look forward to welcoming the worldwide rheuma­­tology community to ACR Convergence 2025, to be held Oct. 24–29 in Chicago (https://rheumatology.org/annual-meeting). ACR Conver­gence provides attendees with opportunities to hear the latest research advances, receive education impacting clinical practice, and network with collaborators, colleagues and friends. In addition to its scientific sessions, ACR Convergence offers a range of programming, venues and activities directed toward global issues and of interest to international attendees.