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Welcome to NYSRS!
The New York State Rheumatology Society represents the common interests of a majority of the rheumatologists treating rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal disease in New York.
Our mission is to provide advocacy for our patients with rheumatologic illness and to promote standards of excellence for high-quality rheumatology care.
The NYSRS is an affiliate of the American College of Rheumatology and will work with the ACR on advocacy issues and will cooperate with other medical societies and organizations, such as the MSSNY, the ACP, and the Arthritis Foundation on behalf of our subspecialty and our patients.
From the President
Dear Colleagues,
We are privileged to be practicing medicine in an age of unsurpassed scientific advances and innovative therapeutics. We are also practicing during an era in which government and managed care policies affect our ability to implement these advances for our patients. When you call upon a government official, or managed care decision maker, you will frequently be asked: “Who are you with?” or “Whom do you represent?” If you represent only yourself, there is little chance you will be heard, or have much impact. If NYSRS’s leaders and representatives can represent all the state’s rheumatologists, they will be heard, and they can have impact. Currently, with the state and federal government entering into the arena of formulary development and management, rheumatologists must educate policy makers about the diseases we treat, how they affect our patients, and the importance of access to care.
There are challenges that confront our subspecialty that affect every rheumatologist, regardless of professional orientation. By organizing, we are able to effectively work together and make our positions, thoughts and opinions known. It is time for rheumatologists in New York State to respond accordingly. In an increasing number of other states and communities, rheumatologists are coming together in formally structured organizations, to enhance their ability to work together effectively. The leadership of the American College of Rheumatology has recognized the importance of state societies, and allocated significant resources to support state societies, such as the Affiliated Societies Counsel (ASC).
I am honored to have been elected President. I have spent many hours over the past year committed to this initiative, and commit to continuing to devote my passion and energy to this organization. I believe we can become a statewide organization of colleagues and friends – who can teach one another, and help one another, and I know we share the same collegial goals: working on behalf of our patients, whether in the same way or in many different ways.
Sincerely,
Max Hamburger, MD