The 2019 ARP Awards of Distinction & ACR Masters

ANN KUNKEL ADVOCACY AWARD

Due to her advocacy role in promoting the rheumatology profession, patient care, and the needs of advanced practice providers in the field, Heather Benham, DNP, APRN, CPNP-CP, RhMSUS, a pediatric nurse practitioner in Pediatric Rheumatology at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, received the Ann Kunkel Advocacy Award.

Over the past decade, Dr. Benham has helped develop educational programs that have generated awareness about pediatric patients with rheumatic disease. For the past two years, she has participated in ACR/ARP advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., and meets with government representatives to explain the healthcare hurdles that her patients face, such as not having access to drugs they need due to high prices.

“Many times, [government representatives are] not familiar with the subspecialty of rheumatology or that kids can get arthritis and other rheumatic diseases,” says Dr. Benham. “It’s important to make sure that pediatric rheumatology is represented during these visits.”

After a visit in May, her congressional representative introduced legislation to extend program funding that supports trainees entering pediatric subspecialties, such as rheumatology.

Dr. Benham completed her MSN and DNP degrees in 2002 and 2004, respectively, at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. For the past 16 years, she has served as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and recently became certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound after completing the ACR’s RhMSUS Certification program for healthcare providers who perform musculoskeletal ultrasound as part of their practice of rheumatology, as well as the USSONAR program.

An ARP member for 12 years, she says the organization has helped advance her career and advocacy ambitions by providing a rich platform for networking and educational opportunities.

“The ARP has allowed me to develop professionally,” Dr. Benham says. “My colleagues and I share patient experiences, challenges and what we’re doing in the field. This is a wonderful platform that helps spur professional development.”

She is motivated to remain in pediatric rheumatology by her patients and their families. “I know what I do every day makes a difference in their lives and helps improve outcomes,” Dr. Benham says. “That’s what keeps me going in this subspecialty.”

Dr. Benham’s ARP committee work has elevated her passion for advocacy. She has served on the NP/PA Rheumatology Curriculum Task Force, the ACR’s Committee on Rheumatologic Care and, most recently, the ARP Practice Committee, which has developed a three-part webinar series addressing the benefits of adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants to a rheumatology practice, and also offers best practices for onboarding and mentoring them, and conducting performance evaluations.

Dr. Benham says she is truly honored to receive this award. “It’s wonderful to be recognized for all the hard work I’ve done over the years in pediatric rheumatology,” says Dr. Benham. “I just hope that my efforts draw people into this subspecialty and keep them in it. There’s a lot of opportunity to make a difference.”