President’s Corner: Partners in Care & Research, the ARP & Rheumatology Research Foundation

Recipients from Louisiana State University, Shreveport, received the 2024 Foundation Fellowship Training Award and Choose Rheumatology Scholarships. (Click to enlarge.)

The Association of Rheumatology Profes­sionals (ARP) and the Rheumatology Research Foundation contribute to rheuma­tology in amazing ways. Over the past two years, I have worked closely with the presidents of these organizations: Adam Goode, PhD, PT, DPT, and Liana Fraenkel, MD, and their staffs. Seeing the commitment and energy they have for their mission has given me an even greater level of appreciation for the work being done by these groups.

The shared interest all three of our organizations have in improving the lives of those with rheumatic disease reflects the close links throughout our rheuma­tology community. Both the ARP and Foundation are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, providing an even greater reason to recognize the important work they do to advance rheumatology.

The ARP

The ARP is celebrating its 60-year anniversary. It was founded in 1965 with a mission to improve outcomes for patients with rheumatic diseases through interprofessional collaboration. The ARP represents more than two dozen disciplines specializing in rheumatology, including advanced practice nurses, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, epidemiologists, physician associates, educators, clinicians, researchers, research coordinators and office staff.

Membership

ARP membership continues to rise, now including more than 1,800 members. A recent innovation was the Small Team Membership model (https://rheumatology.org/join-acr-arp-community), with a team consisting of 4–15 members and no more than one physician.

Volunteer opportunities

ARP volunteer leaders Annelle Reed, CPNP, MSN, and Heather Benham, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, celebrate rheumatology at ACR Convergence 2024. (Click to enlarge.)

In addition to leadership positions on the ARP Executive Committee, the ARP has four committees/subcommittees. The:

• Interprofessional Practice & Management Committee ensures that all ARP educational products and programs meet the practice needs of the disciplines in its membership;
• eLearning Subcommittee oversees the ARP online rheumatology education portfolio;
• Nominations and Appointments Committee reviews nominations for ARP elected and appointed volunteer positions; and
• Annual Meeting Planning Subcommittee (AMPC) develops sessions at ACR Convergence to meet the needs of ARP members and collaborates with the ACR AMPC to develop an integrated and seamless program.

The two joint ACR/ARP committees are the:

• Committee on Research. Many ARP members conduct research, providing valuable insights into the committee’s emphasis on research conduct and training; and
• Membership & Awards Committee. The ACR and ARP presidents elect co-chair this committee, focusing on member engagement and nominations for the ACR and ARP awards programs.

Having the ARP voice reflected in each aspect of the ACR is important—from the Board of Directors to every ACR committee, and also the Foundation. ARP members can learn more about these opportunities on the ACR website (https://rheumatology.org/volunteer).

Journal

Arthritis Care & Research (AC&R) is the official journal of the ARP. AC&R publishes research that promotes excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology, including evidence-based practice studies; clinical problems; practice guidelines; educational, social and public health issues; health economics; healthcare policy; and future trends in rheumatology practice.

Training & Education

The ARP offers many resources to attract team members to rheumatology, to train those new to the field and to maintain knowledge.

Fact sheets (https://rheumatology.org/interdisciplinary-care-team): ARP fact sheets describe the roles of interdisciplinary team members. These can be used by practitioners to identify opportunities to enhance patient care through use of a wider care team.

Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course (FRC; https://rheumatology.org/fundamentals-of-rheumatology-course): The FRC comprises 10 online learning activities designed to expand fundamental rheumatology knowledge. These modules are ideal for those who are new to rheumatology.

Advanced Rheumatology Course (ARC; https://rheumatology.org/advanced-rheumatology-course): The ARC is an essential rheumatology training course for interprofessionals new to rheumatology. Topics include deep dives into rheumatic diseases, therapeutic resources, clinical decision making and more.

The Training Rheum (TTR): TTR is a hybrid program utilizing online training videos and a full-day, hands-on training session designed to improve clinical preparedness of advanced practitioners joining rheumatology. TTR 2026 details will be posted soon.

ACR Convergence: At ACR Convergence 2025, the ARP will present an outstanding program of research and educational sessions. Highlighted events include the ARP Networking Lunch & Annual Business Meeting, the ARP Keynote Address, the Daltroy Memorial Lecture and the ARP Distinguished Lecture.

Rheumatology Research Foundation

The Foundation is celebrating its 40-year anniversary. It was founded in 1985 by the ACR with the mission of advancing research and training to improve the health of patients living with rheumatic disease. The ACR has remained a key contributor to our Foundation, providing support that allows 100% of all donations to go toward the mission.

The Foundation has funded nearly 5,000 awards totaling almost $243 million. This makes the Foundation one of the largest private funders of rheumatology research in the U.S.

For 16 consecutive years, Charity Navigator, the nation’s most trusted charity evaluator, has awarded the Foundation its highest four-star rating, reflecting exceptional fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Foundation Awards Program

Funding priorities of the Foundation focus on two areas: workforce expansion and research.

Workforce Expansion: The Foundation supports workforce expansion through recruitment and training awards. These cover undergraduates, medical students, residents and rheumatology professionals, as well as fellowship training awards and clinician educator awards. The Foundation expands fellowship opportunities through awards that support and increase training positions. In the past 10 years, the Foundation has funded 268 fellowship positions at 67 institutions nationwide; 32% of funding during this period supported pediatric programs. The Foundation has also supported 108 Mentored Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Awards for workforce expansion, providing support to onboard and train professionals new to the field of rheumatology.

Research: Research supported by the Foundation encompasses basic, translational, clinical and health services research, spanning numerous rheumatic diseases and focus areas. Foundation research awards not only support specific projects but also career development, including bridge awards from the National Institutes of Health, adult and pediatric research fellow awards, and scientist and investigator awards. Through this portfolio, the Foundation funds investigators throughout the career spectrum and provides grant support for innovative projects less likely to be funded through federal grant programs.

Funding the Foundation’s Mission

The Foundation’s mission (https://www.rheumresearch.org/how-giving-helps) is made possible by its generous supporters, each of which is critical to its success. These include contributors from the pharmaceutical industry and other corporate partners and organizations, state societies, practices, rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals, as well as people with rheumatic disease and those who support them.

RheumLab

RheumLab (https://rheumlab.org) is a recently intro­duced resource that provides information and materials for patients, clinicians and professionals about the Foundation and the critical role it plays in transforming the lives of people with rheumatic disease.

Volunteering for the Foundation

The work of the Foundation wouldn’t be possible without its dedicated volunteers and staff (https://www.rheumresearch.org/volunteer):

• The Board of Directors supervises, controls and directs the Foundation;
• The Development Advisory Council oversees the Foundation’s fundraising program to cultivate the support needed to fulfill its mission;
• The Impact Advisory Council communicates the work of the Foundation, advocating for rheumatology research and highlighting its impact;
• The Scientific Advisory Council directs the Foundation’s research and education funding programs to ensure they run effectively and efficiently; and
• The Leadership Development Council encompasses leadership development and nominations for volunteer positions.

Now more than ever, the Foundation (https://www.rheumresearch.org) is essential to the future of rheuma­tology. I hope that you will join me and the ACR in supporting the Foundation and its vital mission.

Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, is the director of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research in the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at Cleveland Clinic, where she is professor of medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and holds the Harold C. Schott endowed chair in rheumatic and immunologic diseases.