One other CMC activity Dr. Bhana was proud to be part of last year was a comprehensive review of research abstracts submitted for the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting; the objective was to select abstracts that would be a good fit for press coverage.
“It was so interesting to be a part of this review, which allowed our team to understand a wealth of new research and really be on the pulse of rheumatology, and share that perspective with the press,” Dr. Bhana says.
In the year ahead, as Dr. Bhana continues his second year on the CMC, he is excited to be a part of planning the annual Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month in the fall. The ACR has partnered with sports broadcaster Terry Bradshaw again this year, and the CMC will be developing a public service announcement that tells the general public why they should know about rheumatic disease and encourages them to do their part by being informed and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Why Volunteering Makes a Difference
“It’s good to give back to the community,” Dr. Bhana says, “whether I am reaching out to my own community to support patients facing the daily challenges of rheumatic diseases or through the ACR to give back to the College and its members who are doing so much every day to support patients.”
He encourages his physician colleagues to think about the ways they can add involvement to their day, even if it’s by simply learning how to engage with colleagues and the College via social media or through direct volunteer opportunities.
“Once you overcome the inertia to use social media tools like Twitter, you see the opportunities in front of you to share knowledge, and you will see these connections can rapidly evolve into work that only adds to your professional goals,” Dr. Bhana suggests.
When he is not caring for patients and giving his time to the ACR, Dr. Bhana is finding every opportunity to enjoy family time with his wife and two young sons.
Additional Resources
Stay in the know about ACR committee activities and getting involved. Learn more about connecting with the ACR through social media.
Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.
