The 2025 ARP President’s & Merit Awards

In total, Dr. Vliet Vlieland has authored more than 425 scientific publications. To enhance the translation of research findings to clinical practice, she has played a leading role in the development of various training courses and professional guidelines, including the EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis and for physical activity in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Over the years, Dr. Vliet Vlieland has been a strong advocate of research on care delivered by health professionals from various professions in rheumatology: two-thirds of the 39 PhD trajectories in which she acted as (co)supervisor were completed by health professionals other than physicians, and she served as mentor for many, both on the national and international level.

Dr. Vliet Vlieland has held various national and international positions in healthcare organizations and committees. An ARHP/ARP member for decades, she served as a member of the ARHP Research Committee in 2002–03 and on the editorial board of Arthritis Care & Research from 2011–13. She was invited to give presentations at various ACR/ARP conferences, including presentations on implementation research at the ACR annual meeting in Philadelphia in 2022 and San Diego in 2023. Within EULAR, Dr. Vliet Vlieland served, among other roles, as chair of the Standing Committee on and vice president of health professionals and is currently a member of the Advocacy Committee.

Throughout her career, Dr. Vliet Vlieland has received numerous prestigious awards, including the EULAR Health Professionals in Rheumatology Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, the Rheumatology Medal from the Dutch Society for Rheumatology (NVR) in 2018, the Distinguished Scholar Award from ARHP in 2008, the National Rheumatism Prize from the Dutch Arthritis Association in 2004, and the Goslings Prize from the NVR in 1997, and she became an honorary member of EULAR in 2014.

Addie Thomas Service Award

The Addie Thomas Service Award is presented to ARP members in honor of the Association’s first president and recognizes active volunteers in arthritis-related activities. This year’s recipient is Linda Rodamaker, NP, a nurse practitioner and senior instructor at the University of Colorado, Aurora, working in the Department of Rheumatology.

Ms. Rodamaker began her nursing career in 1978 after studying in Iowa. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s education after she moved to Colorado. Her rheumatology journey started in 2006 when she joined the rheumatology team at the University of Colorado.

“Although I have enjoyed my time as a nurse for so many years, working in rheumatology has been a dream job,” says Ms. Rodamaker. “My colleagues—and especially our patients—are amazing and such a joy to work with.”