The ACR’s Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Certification in Rheumatology (RhMSUS) program could not and cannot exist without the time, effort, talent, and experience of its volunteer leadership and committee members. RhMSUS welcomes self-nominations or nominations from colleagues for a position on the Oversight Committee, Appeals Subcommittee, and as needed the Examination Development Working Groups. Most elected terms are four years with the opportunity to be re-appointed for one additional term.
Volunteer Application
If you are interested in volunteering for RhMSUS, please complete the RhMSUS Volunteer Application. We accept applications on a continual basis and have a call for volunteers each summer/fall. Additional opportunities are available from time to time, so forms are kept on file for any ad-hoc committees that may be appointed.
Apply to Volunteer
RhMSUS Committees
Below are descriptions of the RhMSUS committees along with their current volunteers.
Oversight Committee
Volunteers
- Veena K. Ranganath, MD, MS, RhMSUS (2016 - 2020) UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Chair
- Amanda E. Nelson, MD, MSCR, RhMSUS, (2016 - 2020) UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, Chair, Examination Development Groups
- Fadi Badlissi, MD, MSc, RhMSUS, (2016 - 2018) Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA Member-At-Large
- Laura B. Hughes, MD, MSPH, RhMSUS (2016 - 2019) University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL Member-At-Large
- Douglas C. Morrow (2016 - 2017) Phoenix, AZ Public Member
Roles
- Develop, implement, and monitor fair and defensible eligibility requirements and certification and recertification policies and procedures
- Review and approve all examination items
- Review domains and tasks annually to ensure relevance/currency
- Review testing data and make recommendations for research studies
- Coordinate and appoint group and subcommittee members
Desired Expertise
- Five+ years as an educator or direct supervisor
Time Commitments
- At least one meeting per year
- Webinars, conference calls, and emails as needed
- 30 – 50 hours spent on outside work
- The committee does a fair amount of time-sensitive work via email, requiring that members be extremely responsive and able to work under short timeframes.
Appeals Subcommittee
Roles
- Review candidates' appeals when candidates are not satisfied with the original decision of the certification
- Make recommendations related to certification policies and procedures to oversight committee as needed
Desired Expertise
- Comprehensive understanding of the ACR's certification policies and procedures
Time Commitments
- Webinars, conference calls, and emails as needed
- Members are "on call" for issues that arise requiring that members be extremely responsive and able to work under short timeframes
Examination Development: Item Development Group
Roles
- Write, review, and validate multiple-choice test items
Desired Expertise
- Must have good understanding of the knowledge and skills required of the minimally competent professional and five+ years as an educator or direct supervisor
- Skill in question writing is preferred
Time Commitments
- Submission to item writing bank
- Webinars, conference calls, and emails as needed
Examination Development: Review and Assembly Group
Volunteers
- Amanda E. Nelson, MD, MSCR, RhMSUS (2016 - 2020) UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, Chair, Examination Development Groups
- Aaron W. Broadwell, MD, RhMSUS (2017 - 2018) Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Specialists, Shreveport, LA
- Arnoldas Ceponis, MD, PhD, RhMSUS (2017 - 2018) University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
- Deirdre De Ranieri, MD, RhMSUS (2017 - 2018) University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Daryl K. MacCarter, MD, RhMSUS (2017 - 2018) North Valley Hospital, Whitefish, MT
- Nicole M. Orzechowski, DO, RhMSUS (2017 - 2018) Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
Roles
- Assemble examination forms according to the examination blueprint, following psychometric and editorial review of the multiple-choice test items
Desired Expertise
- Must have good understanding of the knowledge and skills required of the minimally competent professional and five+ years as an educator or direct supervisor
- Skill in question writing is preferred
Time Commitments
- One two-day meeting in Atlanta for each test
- Webinars, conference calls, and emails as needed
Examination Development: Criterion Group
Roles
- Evaluate each test item according to its relevance and difficulty for the minimally-competent professional
Desired Expertise
- Must have good understanding of the knowledge and skills required of the minimally competent professional and five+ years as an educator or direct supervisor
Time Commitments
- One two-day meeting in Atlanta for each test
- Webinars, conference calls, and emails as needed