Initiated in 1997, the ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) International Academic Exchange Program (AEEP) aspired to bring together young rheumatologists from North America and Europe. Since then, more than 40 junior physician-scientists and their senior mentors have travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives with their counterparts from across the pond. The original format of the program has remained virtually unchanged. After attending the annual meeting of the ACR, three European junior rheumatologists visit three selected rheumatology centers in the U.S. The following year, three American fellows attend the annual meeting of EULAR and, thereafter, travel to three European rheumatology centers. Two senior mentors, one representing the ACR and the other EULAR, accompany both groups. Economic tightening led to the AEEP’s suspension between 2009 and 2011, but was then revived by the common efforts of the ACR, EULAR, and Emerging EULAR Network (EMEUNET) in 2012. Fortunate to be among the first participants following its restoration, we would like to impart our personal experiences and discuss the value of this program.
The 2012 Program
Originating from different corners of Europe and investigating various aspects of rheumatologic disease, our heterogeneity fueled diverse conversations. Together with Randy Cron, MD, PhD, and Gabriel Panayi, MD, DSc, our two senior mentors, our interests spanned rheumatology and included inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis, scleroderma, and macrophage activation syndrome. By strategic design, the heterogeneity was reciprocated. We were fortunate to meet colleagues, with both overlapping and distinct interests, approaches, and mentalities, who were working at widely differing institutions in terms of mission, clinical practice, and research.
