After earning her bachelor’s degree at UNC and receiving her PhD from Vanderbilt University, she worked as an arthritis epidemiologist at the CDC. She returned to her alma mater and has investigated the role social-economic status has on health outcomes, along with the role physical activity has on quality of life, for nearly 20 years.
She is a former board member of the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative and received the 2005 Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service for her work with the Arthritis Foundation. An ARHP member since 1983, she is a past president of the organization. She received the ARHP Distinguished Scholar Award in 1994, the STAR Award in 2005 and the Addie Thomas Service Award in 2006. She has served on numerous committees and was a board member of the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
She is the former editor of Arthritis Care & Research and recently was appointed director of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance.
Do research in an area that you are passionate about, & find good collaborators.
Q: What does a lifetime achievement award from your peers mean to you?
A: Receiving this award makes me feel very humble. I feel very blessed. I have worked with the best of the best in every arena. I feel like getting this award, I should have 50 people around me to share in the honor.
Q: What has ARHP meant to you?
A: I feel like I have grown up with ARHP. I was president when they turned 25, and we’re turning 50 next year. It has been a wonderful organization for friendships, professional development, the journal and the meetings. I haven’t missed a meeting since 1983. ARHP is a part of my life.
Q: What is a key takeaway from your years of research?
A: People pay more attention now to social determinants—health literacy, awareness, etc.—in the clinical environment. Pretty much everybody acknowledges now that education and income have an impact on health outcomes. There also is a huge focus now on just getting people to move. We know there is a life benefit, and we have seen substantial progress in both areas. Not enough progress, but there has been movement.
Q: What is your advice for the next generation of researchers?
A: Do research in an area that you are passionate about, and find good collaborators.
Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.
