The ARHP Honors Health Professionals for their Contributions to Rheumatology

Q: Why, in the 21st century, are we still dealing with access issues?

A: Access is everything. We are so fortunate today to have medications that treat the disease process, and not just the symptoms, but they are expensive, so how do we get access to the patients that need them? From a care perspective, rheumatology is not as accessible as internal medicine or cardiology or other well-known professions, so does a patient have access to a rheumatologist who can treat his or her disease? Another big issue is pediatric rheumatology. There are still states that do not have any pediatric rheumatologists. How do those children get access to care?

Q: What is the one thing most healthcare providers need to know about advocacy?

A: We cannot make the assumption that, if a bill is out there, our Congressmen actually know everything they need to know to make a meaningful vote. They rely on us to inform them….And you don’t need to communicate directly with your Congressmen. Their staffers, locally and in D.C., have the ear of the Congressmen. If you speak to them, you have your foot in the door.

ARHP President’s Award

Geri Neuberger, APRN, MN, Ed
Professor, University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City

Background: Dr. Neuberger has been an educator at the University of Kansas since 1971, but her passion for rheumatology is more personal than that. She was in her first educational program studying nursing when her mother got RA. Later, her sister got it as well. She focused her thesis and doctoral dissertation or patients with arthritis, and a lifelong devotion was born. At the beginning of her career, she balanced clinical work with research, but working with students became her preferred path. In addition to her teaching load, she has also been a camp nurse, college campus nurse, maternity staff nurse, and medical–surgical nurse. From July 2010 to October 2012, Dr. Neuberger served as scientific editor for a series of five online modules, Fundamentals of Rheumatology, for nurses and other healthcare professionals. She recruited, and credits, the following authors: Donna Nativio, PhD, CRNP, FAAN; Maura McCall, MSN, RN; Kori Dewing, DNP, ARNP; Karen Kerr, MSN, NP, CPNP, PNP-BC; Cora Vizcarra RN, BSN, CRNI, MBA; and Joyce Carlone, MN, FNP-BC, CCRC. She also credits ARHP staff members Ramona Hilliard and Emily Delzell.

Q: In 2011, you earned the ARHP Master Educator Award, and now, the President’s Award. What do these honors tell you?