About the ACR
Overview of the ACR
The American College of Rheumatology is an organization of and for physicians, health professionals,
and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of
education, research, advocacy and practice support that foster
excellence in the care of people with arthritis and rheumatic
and musculoskeletal diseases.
The ACR provides professional education for its members through
several venues. The Annual
Scientific Meeting, held each fall, is the premier scientific
meeting devoted to the rheumatic diseases. This meeting draws
thousands of rheumatologists and arthritis health professionals
from around the world. A winter rheumatology symposium, spring
clinical meetings, and other topical conferences round out the
ACR's educational
offerings.
The ACR publishes
Arthritis & Rheumatism, the premier scientific journal
for research in the rheumatic diseases. Arthritis
Care & Research is published by the Association
of Rheumatology Health Professionals, a division of the ACR.
This journal focuses on the health services and clinical aspects
of rheumatology.
REF
Through the ACR
Research and Education Foundation (REF), the ACR seeks to
increase research in the rheumatic diseases while fostering the
careers of young investigators. The ACR also works to increase
federal funding for research in the rheumatic diseases. The College
is also an advocate in the formulation of public
policy relating to the care of people with arthritis and other
rheumatic diseases.
ARHP
The Association of Rheumatology Health
Professionals, a division of the American College of Rheumatology,
is a professional membership society composed of non-physician
health care professionals specializing in rheumatology, such
as advanced practice nurses, nurses, occupational therapists,
physical
therapists, psychologists, social workers, epidemiologists, physician
assistants, educators, clinicians, and researchers.
