Hooked on Rheum with Kaleb Michaud, PhD
Although I have been a patient in rheumatology since I was 3, I didn't get “hooked on rheum” until I took a leave of absence from my physics PhD and attended the ACR’s annual meeting, in San Francisco, as a trainee of Fred Wolfe, MD.
Drinking from the fire hose, it was overwhelming and refreshing — and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
Dr. Wolfe kept the inspiration going by not only introducing me to many leading figures of research in rheumatology, but also by our daily interactions at work. He would come into the office with a question like, “What if we were to do this?”
My job was to figure out how to do it with statistical and database programming. It was a constant challenge that kept me coming back for more. Late nights in the office working on algorithms and new figures to present to the doctor in the morning, only to reach certain limits. He would suggest: “This is a good start, but what about trying ...” Not disheartening, but another challenge to face.
What seemed like great leaps in understanding with my early training were so small for what was to come, but how could I know then? It was the daily push and pull with Dr. Wolfe and the collaboration/exchange/debate with the many minds in rheumatology that got me hooked.
I left a field that was challenging for one that was that and much more — a home. Rheumatology, a community dedicated to improving the lives of so many people, including me. How could I not be a convert?
Kaleb Michaud, PhD
Professor
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
University of Nebraska Medical Center