Commitment to The Future of Rheumatology Leadership
At AWIR, we believe in leadership without boundaries. We are champions for change, challenging outdated practices and behaviors that have historically hindered equitable access to leadership roles.
Through our initiatives and opportunities, we prepare AWIR members not just to excel in their practice of medicine, but to develop and utilize the skills they need to succeed in the business of medicine.
Leadership is not a luxury or a title; it is an opportunity for every clinician (whether new to the field or well established) to advocate, to build, to influence policy and practice. Leadership is which is critical for personal growth, institutional progress, and better patient care.
Our mission is to foster leaders – men and women alike– who are ready to innovate, inspire, and transform the landscape of rheumatology.
Focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Leadership
AWIR envisions a future where all clinicians – regardless of gender, race, background, or professional pathway – are equally represented and respected in leadership roles. This vision is especially critical as our patient populations become increasingly diverse, and women now comprise a growing majority of the rheumatology workforce.
While meaningful progress has been made in identifying and addressing the structural barriers faced by women and underrepresented groups in medicine, critical disparities persist:
- Leaky Pipeline: At each successive level of leadership, the representation of women and historically marginalized professionals declines – reflecting systemic attrition rather than lack of talent.
- Tall Poppy Syndrome: Nearly 90% of women report being penalized or resented in the workplace for their professional success – undermining advancement and recognition of qualified individuals.
- Imposter Phenomenon: Despite having equivalent leadership aspirations, women are twice as likely as men to believe they are unqualified for leadership roles – a perception shaped not by ability, but by exclusionary environments and systemic bias.
AWIR exists to confront these challenges directly by equipping all clinicians, especially those historically unheard or underestimated, with the tools, network, and visibility they need to lead with authority and impact.
Platform of Equity, Connection, and Empowerment for Everyone
AWIR serves as a dynamic, inclusive platform that cultivates leadership through community, representation, and opportunity—empowering clinicians across all backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages to lead with purpose and impact.
- 100% Women Leadership: Paving the way for women to lead, both in the clinic and beyond.
- Engaged, Diverse Community: Connecting women and men who are united by a shared passion of transforming the future of rheumatology.
- Dynamic, Welcoming Events: Inspiring collaboration, education, and growth with local, national, and international colleagues – across every career stage and profession.
- Local and Global Chapters: Facilitating education and connection through regional, national, and international communities.
- Interdisciplinary and Interprofessional: Recognizing the value of all clinicians in patient care, from rheumatology fellows and APPs to specialists across dermatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and more.
Opportunities and Training for Leadership and Personal Growth
At AWIR, leadership is not just a concept, it’s a commitment. We cultivate it, invest in it, and amplify it by providing meaningful opportunities for our members to step beyond their comfort zones, discover their potential, and advance their professional and personal goals.
- Local Chapter Leadership: Opportunities for members to lead within more than 80 local chapters across the country – building professional networks, guiding peer communities, and driving meaningful impact at the local level.
- Leadership Development: Structured educational pathways designed to cultivate critical leadership skills across medical, academic, and industry sectors.
- Active Leadership in Advocacy: Direct engagement in AWIR’s advocacy and policy efforts—providing real-world experience in shaping systemic change and advancing health equity.
Leadership belongs to all of us, because when we elevate each other, we elevate the field. Join the rheumatology community of leaders today – and tomorrow – and drive the future of patient care.
Suggested Reading
- Battafarano DF, Ditmyer M, Bolster MB, Fitzgerald JD, Deal C, Bass AR, Molina R, Erickson AR, Hausmann JS, Klein-Gitelman M, Imundo LF, Smith BJ, Jones K, Greene K, Monrad SU. 2015 American College of Rheumatology Workforce Study: Supply and Demand Projections of Adult Rheumatology Workforce, 2015-2030. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Apr;70(4):617-626.
- Lett E, Orji WU, Sebro R. Declining racial and ethnic representation in clinical academic medicine: A longitudinal study of 16 US medical specialties. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 16;13(11):e0207274.
- Association of American Medical Colleges. Diversity in Medicine: Facts and Figures 2019. Available online. Accessed May 15, 2025.
- Mahmood SN, Blanco I. The road to equity for women in academic rheumatology. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2020 Dec;16(12):669-670.
- Jorge A, Bolster M, Fu X, Blumenthal DM, Gross N, Blumenthal KG, Wallace Z. The Association Between Physician Gender and Career Advancement Among Academic Rheumatologists in the United States. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Jan;73(1):168-172.
Levy MS, Hunt KN, Lindsay KA, Mohan V, Mercadel A, Malecki E, Desai R, Sorondo BM, Pillai A, Huang M. Gender Inequity in Institutional Leadership Roles in US Academic Medical Centers: A Systematic Scoping Review. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Apr 1;8(4):e252829.