American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation
Ensuring the Future of Rheumatology
Attracting more quality doctors to the rheumatology field, and keeping them, is significantly influenced by the availability of rheumatology training and research funding. With nearly 47 million Americans suffering from rheumatic diseases, it is crucial for the field of rheumatology to stay ahead of the growing need for rheumatologists, patient treatments and care.
The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation was established in 1985 with a mission of advancing research and training to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases. Since its founding, the REF has promoted and advanced the field of rheumatology by funding research, training and education opportunities for clinicians, students, health professionals, researchers and academic institutions.
The REF’s extensive awards and grants program is designed to select the best in each niche of rheumatology, foster their ideas, and prepare them for larger awards and grants from other institutions to sustain their long-term careers. This formula has allowed the REF to develop as the second largest funding source of rheumatology training and research in the U.S., funding more than $5 million annually through our core awards and grants program.
As a highly effective medical research organization with remarkable efficiency in directing donor dollars to its mission, the REF has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most utilized independent evaluator of charities.
On average, 90 cents out of every dollar donated to the REF is used to fund its extensive awards and grants program.
The REF Preceptorship Experience
The ACR Workforce Study estimated that nearly half of practicing rheumatologists will retire within eight years, meaning that by 2025 there will be a severe shortage of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals in the US. In an effort to combat this approaching void in patient care the REF continues to increase its funding to sustain the workforce.
REF Preceptorships introduce the best and brightest medical and graduate students to the field of rheumatology as a possible career path by supporting a mentored one-on-one interaction and real-world learning experience focused on rheumatology. Preceptorship opportunities are available for medical and graduate students who are in the very early stages of their medical career, and vary from introducing students to a career in rheumatology-related health care to a full-fledged research experience in a rheumatology lab.
Chirag Vora’s preceptorship experience is a shining example of the value of REF preceportships.
Chirag Vora, MS is a second year medical student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. He completed an ACR REF/Abbott Medical Student Clinical Preceptorship with Dowain Wright, MD, PhD at Children's Hospital of Central California last year.
"I am so grateful to have been a recipient of the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation/Abbott Medical Student Clinical Preceptorship Award. As a first year medical student, I spent hours in front of the textbooks without having a true understanding of clinical medicine. This preceptorship allowed me to appreciate the reasons I actually wanted to go into medicine. Furthermore, it opened my eyes to the realm of Rheumatology and has stimulated my interest in wanting to pursue it. I am also thankful to my preceptor, Dr. Wright, who has helped me develop a foundation in clinical medicine that I will continue to build on. "
Sara McLinden: A Strong Spirit
While rheumatoid arthritis may limit Sara McLinden’s physical activity, her strong spirit and bright attitude keep her vibrant and successful.
Sara was a once a competitive varsity tennis player with aspirations to play through her college years. But, her life changed dramatically when she was 15 and began experiencing pain in her elbows, knees, shoulders, and lower back.
“There were days when she simply couldn’t get out of bed,” says her father John McLinden, “which is so unlike her because she was always the one leading the charge.”
After seeing several doctors and specialists, Sara was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. “We found ourselves faced with a condition where there was no set route for treating the symptoms,” says Sara’s mother Betsy McLinden. “It was a frustrating process, and the onus was on our family to learn everything we could.”
Betsey worries about Sara’s future and how the disease will progress. She also worries if Sara will be able to have children. But, Betsey is heartened by Sara’s strength and positive attitude, which has been an inspiration to her entire family — so much so that John ran the Boston Marathon earlier this year in her honor to raise money and awareness for RA.
“Sara’s struggles have had a profound effect on our entire family,” says John. “I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing—I wanted to make a difference.” John sent a letter to family, friends and colleagues telling them that he was dedicating the race to Sara to help raise funds for the research and advancement of RA.
“The response was overwhelming,” he says. “We received an amazing amount of support and good wishes from so many people.” John’s efforts, in fact, raised almost $150,000, all of which was donated to the ACR Research and Education Foundation's Within Our Reach campaign. The campaign surpassed its initial $30 million goal and has already funded $24.4 million in RA research grants.
While Sara is encouraged by her family’s love and support, she doesn’t want to be treated differently because of her RA. She is careful to balance the lifestyle of a carefree college student with the responsibility of a young woman living with a chronic disease. This means giving up many of the activities that she loves, including tennis, jogging, and some social outings with friends.
But, Sara clearly has found a balance that works. As a junior at the University of Virginia, she is studying biomedical engineering and economics and already has a job lined up at an investment firm on Wall Street when she graduates.