Rheumatology Health Professionals Reap Rewards of Volunteerism

Greg Taylor

A former committee member encouraged him to join the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, and Mr. Taylor agreed because it sounded like a good way to make contact with like-minded professionals after his case load became more arthritis focused. He had previous experience with a hemophilia program.

As a member of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, his assignment was to develop six topics for sessions at the Annual Meeting. “I thought about what I would like to learn about.” Reviewing and scoring abstracts also keeps him up to date with research.

Mr. Taylor’s involvement with the ARHP has affected him professionally by adding “confidence of practice, because you’re up to date regarding client care. It makes me more able to present clients with the best information, so they can make informed choices they are comfortable with” regarding their care.

“If [my colleagues] had any doubts about my commitment, they don’t now,” says Mr. Taylor, when asked how his colleagues react to his involvement. His membership in the ARHP is “an acknowledgment that I’m walking the walk, not just talking the talk.” He’s made a commitment to something bigger than his individual practice.

The hospital administration acknowledges that his involvement is good for the program, but there “isn’t the budget to actively support it.” He uses his own funds and vacation time to attend meetings.

Mr. Taylor thinks his being a Canadian allows for an additional perspective on the committee. He notes, “It may help to identify emerging trends in either Canada or America when one is exposed to rheumatologic issues current in either country. For example, there were sessions on medicinal marijuana at this year’s ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, and it was fascinating to see the interest generated, especially since some issues were foreshadowed by Canadian legislative changes in 2001 when [the] government initially granted access to herbal cannabis to patients who have the support of a physician.”

Expanded Network

Mary Christenson, PT, PhD, is an associate professor at the School of Physical Therapy, Regis University in Denver. She has been a member of the ARHP for about 30 years, but didn’t serve on a committee until she was asked to chair the Clinical Focus Group in 2002. She helped develop the Clinical Focus Course that’s offered as a preconference session before the Annual Meeting.

Dr. Christenson

Membership in the ARHP has given her the ability to network with a wide variety of healthcare providers and provided greater access to literature and research. It has also “increased my involvement in the clinical area of patient care.” In addition to helping her develop new friendships, Dr. Christenson’s committee work has allowed her to develop her leadership skills. Working with the great staff at the ACR/ARHP is a bonus, she says.