Academy for Workforce Advancement to enrich Rheumatology reach and Development (AWARD)

Recommended resources and tools

• Guide for Mentors (PDF)

• Guide for Mentees (PDF)

• BWH Mentoring Toolkit: Mentoring Across Differences

• Additional Rheumatology Cases:

  • Case: It's All Fibromyalgia (PDF)
  • Case: GCA Myth (PDF)

Toolkits

Medical Student and Resident Elective Rotations Guidance (PDF)

How to build a CV

• Medical/Healthcare Professional School CV Guide (PDF)
• Rheumatology Fellow/APP/AHP CV Guide (PDF)

Interviewing Tips (Do’s and Don’t’s)

• Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) Pre-Med Guide

  • Interview Tips: Page 13 (PDF)

• Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

  • 5 Ways to Adjust your Body Language to Come Across as More Confident in an Interview
  • Interview Resources

• AAMC Virtual Interviews: Applicant Preparation Guide

• US News: 6 Tips to Ace a Medical School Interview

• Rheumatology Fellowship Interview Season Guide (PDF)

Resources

American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Community

• Students and Residents: Please join the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Community.

Existing Student Programs (Undergraduate Science Education at Harvard)

• The programs and resources listed are primarily meant to target undergraduate and medical students. Although the portal directs to the Harvard site, programs are affiliated with a variety of other organizations. These programs generally prioritize medical and/or research exposure for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Johns Hopkins C.A.R.E.S. | Johns Hopkins Medicine

• The program’s mission is to inspire and provide opportunities to students from under-resourced backgrounds in science, public health, or medicine – specialty-specific programs. Program opportunities prioritize high school and undergraduate students. The application mandates the pre-requisite enrollment in a summer program (listed on the website).

Pre-College Research Internship for Scholarship and Mentoring (PRISM)

• The annual program identifies five students interested in healthcare professions for exposure to research opportunities and mentorship of surgeons and other professionals. The program duration is eight weeks which includes mentored research project involving teams of undergraduates and medical students.

Visiting Elective Scholarship | UCSF Medical Education

• Identifies fourth year medical students from under-resourced backgrounds or with demonstrated commitment to under-resourced or rural areas for clinical electives for exposure to academic training program.

Yale School of Medicine Summer Research Program

• This eight-week program offered to first-year medical students from Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Ponce School of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, and University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. The program prioritizes the development of medical and professional skills through mentorship from Yale faculty members from various research fields.

Departmental Health Equity in Medical Education Checklist (HEME)

The HEME initiative aims to foster an enriched culture within rheumatology by addressing medical education communication. Through trained coaches, the initiative ensures presentations reflect robust representation and discuss how differences in care delivery contribute to differences in outcomes across populations. Coaches collaborate with speakers to apply a more defined lens, ensuring materials include more appropriate information related to patient representation and avoid reinforcing stereotypes or outdated terminology. By raising HEME strives to make rheumatology more welcoming to individuals who have disabilities, are first generation/low income college and medical students, or are from under-resourced communities and ultimately improves medical education and patient care and outcomes.

• BWH-MGH Joint Grand RoundsAs part of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Mass General Hospital joint rheumatology grand rounds, we began implementation of HEME aiming to address long-standing biases in medical education. Supporting this effort, two trained HEME coaches (at least one rheumatologist) work collaboratively with physician presenters to ensure material is representative and resonates with a larger audience.

Asynchronous learning

• Harvard Medical School Asynchronous Learning Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Video)

Literature related to rheumatology disparities

• Disadvantages in lupus and the role of social determinants of health: current state of knowledge and directions for future research
• Economic insecurities and patient-reported outcomes with systemic lupus erythematosus
• Impact of poverty on accumulation of disease damage in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Health disparities in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Social determinants and lupus
• Health disparities in rheumatoid arthritis
• Social risk factors and arthritis
• Socioeconomic disadvantages in the modern gout epidemic
• Social and heat vulnerability and care utilization
• Historical redlining among individuals with rheumatic conditions

Leadership opportunities & programs

ACR Board & Committee Volunteers

• The American College of Rheumatology's volunteer program allows professionals to serve on boards and committees, enhancing their leadership skills while advancing rheumatology practice and policy. Participants gain essential governance experience and contribute to shaping the field's future.

Harvard Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Policy Leadership

• The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship at Harvard University trains leaders in through mentorship and a focus on policy and advocacy, equipping participants to drive meaningful change.

Harvard School of Public Health Leadership Programs

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Executive and Continuing Professional Education (ECPE) program offers a range of courses designed to enhance leadership skills across public health, healthcare management, and policy. Participants gain essential competencies to drive transformative initiatives in their organizations and communities.

Public Health Leadership Lab

• The Public Health Leadership Lab enhances leadership skills through hands-on training in critical thinking and collaboration, preparing participants to lead effectively in public health settings.

MIT Leadership & Innovation

• MIT's Leadership and Innovation program equips participants with skills to drive transformative change through strategic thinking and innovative practices, enhancing their leadership capabilities to navigate organizational challenges.

National Clinicians Scholars Program

• The National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) trains leaders through advanced research and policy education, emphasizing collaborative approaches to drive impactful change in healthcare.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows program trains mid-career professionals in health policy, enhancing their leadership skills to influence national and state health decision-making through immersive experiences in policy analysis and advocacy.

Yale Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship

• The Pozen Commonwealth Fund Fellowship at Yale School of Management enhances leadership skills for healthcare professionals through a curriculum focused on strategic problem-solving and collaboration, preparing participants to drive systemic change in health policy.

Online resources

Adult and pediatric rheumatology

ACR Scholarship Programs

• These scholarships introduce residents and students to pediatric rheumatology and support individuals from under-resourced backgrounds in the field through various funding opportunities.

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Committee Volunteer Opportunities

• Nominations for ACR committee volunteer positions open in April 2025, offering leadership roles in various rheumatology domains for members, including fellows.

Project LEAD

• Project LEAD engages medical students with disabilities, first generation/low income college and medical students, individuals from under-resourced communities, and outreach across different geographic areas (e.g., rural and medically underserved communities) through virtual discussions on rheumatology and fellowship preparation, focusing on work-life balance.

NIAMS Career Development

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) provides various educational and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing research experience and skills across different career stages.

Reaching for Health Equity in Rheumatology Care

• This program offers educational courses aimed at improving engagement and communication with under-resourced patient populations.

Advanced practice providers and allied health professionals

Advocacy 101

• This resource offers an introduction to advocacy, including tools for engaging with elected officials and promoting current issues through various platforms.

American Association College of Nursing (AACN)

• A comprehensive guide that explores various leadership styles and best practices for occupational therapists, focusing on evidence-based approaches.

Anne Strong Academic Scholarship

• A $1,000 scholarship is available for three qualified nursing students associated with rheumatology.

E.K. Wise Scholarship

• This scholarship awards $2,500 to students pursuing occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant degrees, focusing on leadership and community service.

Excellence in Rheumatology Nursing Award

• This award recognizes nurse leaders who meet specific Leadership, Education, Achievement, Dedication (LEAD) criteria through nominations.

Leadership Development of Women of Color in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Intersectional Analysis

• A qualitative study examining how intersecting identities impact the leadership development of women who experience individuals who have disabilities, are first generation/low income college and medical students, or are from under-resourced communities in occupational therapy, emphasizing mentorship.

Occupational Therapy Education and Leadership Program

• This program supports students pursuing occupational therapy through education, leadership, and networking, featuring monthly meetings and mentorship opportunities.

Physician Assistant/ Nurse Practitioner Leadership & Management Training Courses

• These 1-hour online courses enhance management skills for PAs and NPs, covering topics like utilization, compliance, and leadership styles.

Physical Therapy Awards for Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership

• These awards support enrichment in academic physical therapy leadership, providing funding for the Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership.

Physical Therapy Leadership Development

• A resource listing programs and events aimed at enhancing leadership skills for physical therapists and assistants.

Scholarship Awards in Physical Therapy

• Awards for final-year physical therapy students and faculty pursuing advanced degrees, based on academic excellence and character.

Speech-Language Pathologist MSLP

• This program aims to recruit and retain students from all cultural legacies and backgrounds in audiology and speech-language pathology, offering educational programming and networking opportunities.

Successfully Facilitating Leadership Practices- Empowering and Inspiring Occupational Therapists to Perform

• This modular course offers leadership development training for occupational therapists, covering essential topics such as ethics and emotional leadership.

Women in Leadership: Lessons from our Superheroines

• This resource provides a toolkit and insights for women in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of representation and support.

Literary resources

Leadership preparation

Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader (Herminia Ibarra, 2023)

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life (Bill Burnett, Dave Evans, 2016)

• Note: If you need to think deeply about what you want to do as a leader, and how to make the impact you desire, using a “design approach” may be helpful (summarized in Designing Your Life).

Expect to win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet (Carla A. Harris, 2009)

• Note: Consistently deliver outstanding work and ensure your supervisor is aware of your contributions; invest time in building relationships with colleagues, especially those in higher positions, and when opportunities for promotion arise, seek advocacy from your chief or another leader you've connected with; also, listen to Carla Harris’ TED Talk for further insights.

Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact (Adaira Landry, Resa E. Lewiss, 2024)

The Glass Cliff: Why Women in Power Are Undermined - and How to Fight Back (Sophie Williams, 2024)

• Note: Glass Cliff describes a phenomenon where a woman or male leader from an under-resourced background is promoted to a high-visibility role during a crisis, often due to prior poor performance, only to be scapegoated and blamed for ongoing issues if the situation doesn't improve.
• Listen to Sophie Williams’ TED Talk on the Glass Cliff and read her book for insights on breaking through the Glass Ceiling; the key takeaway is to remain AWARE of the Glass Cliff and approach opportunities with discretion.

Leadership development (women-specific)

A Woman’s Guide to Power, Presence, and Protection: 12 Rules for Gaining the Credit, Respect and Recognition You Deserve (Mónica Bauer, Marty Seldman, Paula Santilli, Jovita Thomas-Williams, 2022)

Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices For Women Navigating Leadership (Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, Lynn Perry Wooten, 2022)

Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get what They Really Want (Linda Babcock, Sara Laschever, 2008)

• Note: When you receive an offer, take at least one night to review it, ideally with trusted advisors, and negotiate not just salary but also the resources, assistance, and budget necessary for success in your new role; consider seeking coaching and reading Ask For It

How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back (Sally Helgesen, Marshall Goldsmith, 2019)

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead (Tara Mohr, 2015)