Rheumatologists on the Move, July 2015

Being back at Loyola is good, though. “So many familiar faces,” she says. She’s pleased to be an assistant professor on the clinical teaching track. “I hope my enthusiasm for immunology and rheumatology reaches them, because I am so enthusiastic about the subjects.” She thinks remembering what it was like as a student at Loyola will enhance her ability to better relate to the students and fellows she’ll teach. In addition to her teaching duties, she’ll work with recruitment for clinical trials at the Center for Translational Research and Education, currently under construction at Loyola.

Elizabeth Etherton, CNP, Moves to Albuquerque Health Partners

Elizabeth Etherton has moved to Albuquerque Health Partners after five years at the University of New Mexico Rheumatology Clinic. “It was time for a change,” she says. At the University of New Mexico, she saw follow-up patients. Now she is the third provider in a multispecialty rheumatology practice and sees new, as well as follow-up, patients.

Etherton says new patients are being seen much sooner now that she’s part of the practice. “First-available” appointments and patient satisfaction have both improved since she arrived. One of the rheumatologists in the practice is “gearing down for retirement,” she says. “So I’ve taken over seeing his Friday patients and will be picking up more of them as he moves toward full retirement.”

Etherton has been an Advocate for Arthritis for the past three years. Its annual event provides rheumatology professionals and patients the opportunity to discuss issues in the rheumatology community with members of Congress. Before those meetings, participants meet with representatives from key legislative and regulatory agencies while in Washington, D.C.

Ann-Marie Lindstrom is an independent writer and editor based in the Tucson, Ariz., area.