President’s Perspective: Big Questions, Bent Forks, and New Names

The 2011–2012 ACR Executive Committee (left to right): Front row: Audrey Uknis, MD, James R. O’Dell, MD, Joseph Flood, MD. Back row: E. William St.Clair, MD, David Daikh, MD, PhD, Benjamin Smith, PA-C, and David Karp, MD, PhD.

What Will the ACR Look Like in 2020?

To be proactive in acknowledging that the wants and needs of our membership, our volunteers, and our customers will all be significantly different in 2020, the ACR, under the leadership of David Borenstein, MD, put together the 2020 Task Force. Chaired by Peter Embi, MD, MS, this task force is made up of young members who will be our primary volunteer base in 2020. This task force has labored long and hard this past year to develop a white paper. The white paper, a forecast of external changes and internal recommendations for the ACR to consider, was presented at the November board of directors meeting. This forecast will be used as a resource in developing the next ACR strategic plan and will set us on the course for continued success.

What’s in a Name?

Important and well-thought-out significant name changes have been made in two critically important areas. Our flagship journal A&R will remain A&R, but over the next several years will transition from the dated Arthritis & Rheumatism to a more modern Arthritis & Rheumatology.

In order to take full advantage of its stellar reputation, including its four-star Charity Navigator rating, our Research and Education Foundation is now the Rheumatology Research Foundation. It is believed that this change will make a significant difference as we seek to raise awareness among lay donors.

I am deeply indebted to so many of you, including all the volunteers but especially the Committee Chairs, the Board of Directors (see April’s “President’s Perspective”), and, of course, the incredible Executive Committee—Audrey Uknis, MD, Joseph Flood, MD, E. William St.Clair, MD, Benjamin Smith, PA-C, David Daikh, MD, PhD, and David Karp, MD, PhD, (pictured at left, all wearing our forks). Importantly, I continue to be impressed and certainly am profoundly grateful for the amazing staff that Mark Andrejeski, with his 25 years of experience, continues to amass. A special note of gratitude is owed to Julie Anderson, who so ably takes care of the president, a particular challenge this year.

I would ask you all to continue to support the ACR and the Foundation with all of your time, talent, and contributions (to the Foundation and to RheumPAC). None of us are happy with the state of healthcare and where the rheumatologist falls in the pecking order. None of us will be happy with everything that the ACR is doing or with all of the things it is not doing—nor should we be. That is one of the big reasons we need everyone’s contributions. It is easy to complain, but not always easy to do so productively. We can be proud that we represent all of rheumatology, including practice, academic, and health professionals. With your help, we can do better! Step up to the plate, check your own agenda in the dugout, and help the ACR continue to Advance Rheumatology. Thanks for an interesting, never boring, and wonderful year.