Collaborative Initiatives
ACR’s Collaborative Initiatives division (COIN) charge is to highlight rheumatology’s relevance to the healthcare community and public by using rheumatic diseases as case studies for treating complex disease, advancing health equity, eliminating health disparities, and improving the quality of patient lives.
Collaborative Initiatives aims to design and implement projects utilizing the expertise of ACR members to address health disparities and advance health equity. These initiatives create a positive social impact for ACR members, allied health providers, and individuals living with rheumatic diseases. This aim is achieved through collaboration with ACR departments, committees, members, medical associations, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, universities, and individuals living with rheumatic diseases.
Our Mission:
COIN seeks to assist those with the greatest need
COIN Special Committee
The Collaborative Initiatives Committee (COIN) charge is to highlight rheumatology’s relevance to the healthcare community and public by using rheumatic diseases as case studies for treating complex disease, advancing health equity, eliminating health disparities, and improving the quality of patient lives.
- Chair: Noelle Rolle, MBBS, Augusta, GA (2026)
- Kimberly DeQuattro, MD, Philadelphia, PA (2026)
- Anita Dhanrajani, MBBS, MSc, New Orleans, LA (2026)
- Charmayne Marie Dunlop-Thomas, MPH, MS, Atlanta, GA (2025)
- Melissa Flores, MPH, MSW, New York, NY (2024)
- Elizabeth Frame, MD, Los Angeles, CA (2024)
- Shivani Garg, MD, MS, Middleton, WI (2024)
- Sarfaraz Ahmed Hasni, MD, MSc, Bethesda, MD (2025)
- Lauren Smith, MD, District Heights, MD (2025)
- Katherine Yates, MD, Chapel Hill, NC (2024)
- Board Liaison: Marcy B. Bolster, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital (2024)
Volunteers to Expand Rheumatology Access (VERA) is an initiative that aims to improve access to rheumatology care for uninsured and underinsured patients with rheumatic disease in the U.S. by supporting rheumatology providers in seeking volunteer opportunities.
Learn more about VERA
Project LEAD is an initiative that aims to intentionally engage and educate medical students from underrepresented backgrounds on the field of rheumatology and the requirements for rheumatology training and practice.
Learn more about Project LEAD
Health Disparities Symposia includes initiatives, programs, and virtual events aimed at bringing together a diverse group of rheumatologists, researchers, principal investigators, allied health professionals, referring physicians, and industry leaders to discuss challenges and strategies related to health disparities.
