'In alliance, we prevail': Outgoing president praises EULAR evolution during COVID-19
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, EULAR had “adapted” and “evolved to be a driving force” for education, research, advocacy, and innovation in rheumatology, according to outgoing president Iain McInnes, MD.
“As Charles Dickens almost said, ‘It was the worst of times, and the best of times’ – our adaptation to the pandemic has paved our way to a new era for technology and digital evolution for health care and in modern medicine,” McInnes, director of the institute of infection, immunity and inflammation at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland, said in his presidential address. “We have adapted as individuals; we have prevailed, however, as an alliance. And the strides in innovation that we have made this year are a testament to that.”
Among its numerous changes during COVID-19, McInnes touted the formal renaming of the organization from the ‘European League Against Rheumatism’ to the ‘European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology,’ following the implementation of new EULAR Statutes effective as of Jan. 1.
“Our new name is self-explanatory, gives an immediate understanding of our organization and underlines the importance of working closely together with our national member societies,” McInnes said. “The new statutes encourage participation of volunteers across Europe, underscoring the importance of combating rheumatic diseases not only by medical means, but also through a wider context of care for rheumatic patients and a thorough understanding of their social and other needs with the support of its members.”
In addition, McInnes praised the continued success of the EULAR school. Founded in 2017, the EULAR school provides a repository of educational offerings for physicians and health professionals in rheumatology, as well as patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
Building on the momentum established by the EULAR school, McInnes is “honored” to have established the EULAR Virtual Research Center in 2020, an initiative that provides a “research roadmap” highlighting common research challenges and upcoming opportunities, as well as research resources, infrastructure, services and training.
The Center has helped to foster coalitions and partnerships at the local, national and international level to unite existing resources and reinforce research that addresses needs in the rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease community.
“Together with our member organizations, partners, EULAR communities and especially all of you, EULAR has evolved to be a driving force for education, research, advocacy, and innovation in rheumatology, and therefore the voice for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe,” McInnes said. “We are delighted to announce that in 2022, we will be opening membership to individual people, this will allow for wider community to support EULAR and its objectives, and contribute to advances in rheumatology.”
Turning to the pandemic, McInnes noted that EULAR’s “work has continued with outstanding impact” as the organization has continued to stand at the forefront of COVID-19 research, delivering recommendations, advice and guidance for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases throughout the pandemic, and now aiding in the “safe and effective rollout of vaccines.”
“It was the worst of times, it was the best of times — in alliance, we adapt, we overcome, we prevail,” McInnes said. “I could not be prouder of what EULAR has become, and despite the many obstacles encountered during my presidency, I can say with confidence that our EULAR is a globalized network, driving innovation, ingenuity and progression in rheumatology. It was an honor to have established the EULAR Research Center, extended our international partnerships and outreach, and contributed to the new statutes that will shape the future of EULAR going forward.”
Collapse
Read more about