The 2023 ARP Merit Awards

Dr. Backman has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with interprofessional colleagues over many years in the ARP and ACR, including appointments as chair of the Clinical Focus Course Task Force, Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Committee on Education and three terms as associate editor of Arthritis Care & Research.

Dr. Backman served as ARP president 2005–06, and received the ARP Distinguished Scholar Award in 2009 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

“I’m very honored to receive the ARP Master designation,” says Dr. Backman. “It has been such a joy to volunteer with the ARP for almost four decades because it’s been the source of lasting friendships and remarkable interprofessional networking and collaborations. I can’t overstate how much I’ve learned from participating in scientific meetings, workshops and committees; to receive this award is a lovely bonus to all these benefits.”

Kimberly Kimpton, PT, MARP, a physical therapist in private practice, completed her physical therapy education at the University of Vermont, Burlington. After growing up in the New England states, she moved to Colorado to start her professional career, where she practiced in the Denver area for nearly 40 years.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers and selected to receive this prestigious award,” says Ms. Kimpton. “It highlights a wonderful career as a clinical physical therapist and as an ARP volunteer. Neither journey could have been achieved without the support of many extraordinary people—mentors, peers and patients.”

Ms. Kimpton’s early interest in rheumatology grew during her first two jobs. The first was at Rose Medical Center, Denver, recognized regionally as one of the best centers for arthritis treatment. Physician mentors, such as Herbert Kaplan, MD, Walter Briney, MD, and Jaime Bravo, MD, welcomed all healthcare professionals as essential members of the patient care team. During inpatient admissions, patients received penicillamine, gold and methotrexate (revolutionary in the early 1980s), while also being treated by rehabilitation therapists daily. For many, this experience was life changing, providing them with the support, treatment and educational resources to make marked, positive changes to their lives.

In Ms. Kimpton’s next practice setting she worked alongside pioneering orthopedic surgeons led by Mack Clayton, MD. It was a time before biologics’ use, and physical and occupational therapy as well as surgery were common treatments to markedly damaged joints; new treatment protocols were being made up to match the ever-changing medical advances.