Reply

To the Editor:

Drs. Mody and Kalla have very nicely outlined the historical relationships and commitments of the ACR to the international community. Clearly, globally there may be limited regional, national, and organizational resources as well as different priorities. The ACR mission, in part, continues to be to advance rheumatology through education and research programs. The College has been, and continues to be, committed to fostering these activities nationally and internationally, the latter facilitated with the counsel of the ACR International Advisory Committee and all international leagues. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of and express our gratitude to Steffen Gay and Josef Smolen, both of whom have chaired the International Advisory Committee.

We greatly appreciate the gracious and thoughtful comments of Drs. Mody and Kalla. The ACR, the ARHP, and the AF are delighted with the response of the international community to the materials that our organizations have provided to the rheumatology leagues worldwide.

We look forward to continued partnerships with the international rheumatology community, with the mutual goal of improving rheumatology and allied health professional education and patient care.

Joseph D. Croft Jr. MD*, Michael E. Weinblatt MD†, * Chevy Chase, Maryland, Past President, ACR, † Boston, Massachusetts, Past President, ACR.