Political advocacy, supporting women in rheumatology among top goals for ACR president
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WASHINGTON — Whether through advocacy on Capitol Hill, helping women advance their careers, or addressing the rheumatology workforce shortage, American College of Rheumatology President Deborah Dyett Desir, MD, believes in “giving back.”
“The grand promise of the ACR is that we are there for you, so you can be here for your patients,” Desir, who is also an associate professor of medicine in rheumatology, allergy & immunology at the Yale University School of Medicine, said in her presidential address at ACR Convergence 2024. “Throughout this evening’s address, I will repeat this simple and powerful statement.”
According to Desir, whose presidency concludes at the end of the meeting, a “core principle” of the ACR is to give back to members so that members can provide the highest quality of care.
“In many ways, my work at the ACR is an extension of the belief that true work means giving back,” she said.
One way of accomplishing that goal is through advocacy in both national and state politics.
“We fulfill this commitment with relentless advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country,” Desir said.
In addition to the formal ACR Capitol Hill Day — in which rheumatologists knock on legislative office doors and meet with members of Congress and their staff — the ACR hosts leadership conferences and works closely with the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations to ensure the best quality of care in every state.
“ACR remains committed to advancing policies that enhance the health care landscape to help physicians and patients,” Desir said, highlighting legislation to prevent cuts to Medicare payments to physicians, as well as to improve benefits to patients in the Veterans Administration health system.
“Although we are proud of these achievements, we recognize there is still work to be done,” she added. “We remain committed to our advocacy efforts.”
Another goal of the college outlined by Desir includes active support of women in rheumatology.
“Half of our medical school graduates and 66% of our fellows are women,” she said.
According to Desir, the ACR has established a task force to help provide women in rheumatology opportunities for everything from career advancement to networking.
She additionally highlighted a collaboration with the Association of Women in Rheumatology, which Desir said is critical to addressing issues of work-life balance and leadership development.
“Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment, paving the way for a diverse and dynamic future in rheumatology,” she said.
Related to these efforts are the ACR’s current push to promote its goals of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, or DEIB, according to Desir.
“There is a wide range of professionals who make up our community,” she said, noting providers in rural and major academic centers, as well as those in urban areas and members of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals. “Each of these roles is vital. Commitment to DEIB ensures that every voice is heard.”
The impact of climate change on patients with rheumatic diseases is another issue on Desir’s agenda.
“As rheumatologists, we often witness firsthand how the environmental effects of climate change can worsen the conditions of our patients with chronic rheumatic disease,” she said. “These impacts are felt most acutely by socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.”
In response, Desir created a task force on climate change that will not only study the effects of climate on patients with rheumatic diseases, but also develop solutions.
“We position ourselves at the forefront of an issue that impacts our patients,” she said.
Meanwhile, regarding the rheumatology workforce shortage — which is ongoing and forecasted to exacerbate as many current providers reach retirement age — Desir stated that the ACR hopes to expand recruitment, educational programs and scholarship opportunities to young physicians in training or at the outset of their careers.
“They are designed to inspire the next generation of rheumatologists,” she said.
To that point, Desir noted that the ACR boasts 10,000 members from 98 countries. The Convergence, she said, is an opportunity for these professionals to come together to work toward all of the above goals.
“We look forward to an exciting and enriching experience with our global community,” Desir said. “We have positioned ourselves to effectively serve our patients and community for years to come.”
Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, FACP, director of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research at the Cleveland Clinic, will become the 88th president of the ACR on Monday, Nov. 18.
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Desir D. ACR Presidential Address. Presented at: ACR Convergence 2024; Nov. 14-19, 2024; Washington, D.C.
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