Why Should I Join SORh?

Join the Section on Rheumatology (SORh) today. Enhance your career by helping children.

Established in 1981, the mission of the AAP Section on Rheumatology is to promote optimal care of pediatric rheumatologic autoimmune, auto-inflammatory and appropriate musculoskeletal conditions. To accomplish this mission, the section will promote collaborative, multi-disciplinary education, advocacy, and quality healthcare.  

Advocacy

We actively engage in state and federal advocacy for the needs of children with pediatric rheumatologic, autoimmune, auto-inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions. Priority issues include pediatric subspecialty loan repayment, safe and effective drugs and devices for children, drug shortages, and Medicaid payment. We need a healthy and vibrant membership to advocate and be the voice for the children we care for.

• Access the digital Advocacy Guide (Login required)
• Advocacy Action Center (Login required)– contact your members of Congress on child health issues, learn about AAP Federal advocacy priorities, and access advocacy training modules
• Receive the AAP advocacy report (Login required) for the latest federal and state advocacy activities impacting child health
• Sign up for Advocacy emails – weekly advocacy recap/Capital Check-up – email [email protected] with your name, AAP ID, and preferred email address
• Attend the Advocacy Conference

Leadership

Develop leadership skills and assume leadership positions in rheumatology by:

• Serving on the Section on Rheumatology Executive Committee (elected position) or on a section subcommittee (appointed position).
• Serving on internal subcommittees, Planning Groups and Editorial Boards such as PREP Self-Assessment, AAP Grand Rounds, Pediatrics and Pediatrics in Review. Section members are encouraged to submit a nomination for these opportunities.
• Serve as an AAP representative pediatric rheumatology expert to external groups.
• Serve as a pediatric rheumatology subject matter expert on AAP policy, clinical practice guidelines and other AAP groups.
• Sign up to become a mentor and/or mentee through participation in the AAP Mentorship Program.
• Engage pediatric rheumatology fellows’ participation in section activities and opportunities.
• Participate in the AAP Volunteer Network

Education

Our Section provides quality and well-attended programming at the annual AAP National Conference & Exhibition and other AAP CME activities. Members can serve as faculty, subject matter experts, editorial boards, and/or planning groups for various educational offerings.

• Educate general pediatricians on pediatric rheumatology issues that impact practice by serving as faculty for AAP national courses and providing suggestions for educational programing content.
• Section sponsored general sessions at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition
• Pediatric Rheumatology Case Series – see the most recent case “Thick Skinned” 

EQIPP QI courses - Member Benefit!

Earn MOC part 4 and CME credit through participation online EQIPP QI courses including:

Visit Shop.aap.org for a complete list of online courses for professional education!

PREP Blocks Rheumatology

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Member discount available and Trainee Member Benefit! Earn MOC part 2 and CME credit and prepare for board examination through the online PREP Subspecialty Self-Assessment

PREP Blocks: A new, customizable way to access the same trusted PREP questions you know and value, designed to fit your learning style, pace, and schedule.

• Enjoy a modern, user-friendly interface with a long-awaited mobile app and new desktop experience
• Build a Question Bank by selecting blocks from content areas that match your goals
• 20 case-based questions per block
• Earn up to 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 4 MOC Part 2 Points with each block

Policy and Publications

The Section on Rheumatology plays a key role in developing and reviewing policy statements, clinical/technical reports and clinical guidelines that impact pediatric rheumatologists.

• Section on Rheumatology policy collection

AAP News Focus on Subspecialties Articles

• Pediatric rheumatology clinics overwhelmed by referrals to evaluate positive ANA
  Andrew M. Kung, M.D., FAAP, and Barbara E. Ostrov, M.D., FAAP
• Teratogenic medications present challenges for care of rheumatology patients 
  Brandt P. Groh, M.D., FAAP, and Cuoghi C. Edens, M.D., FAAP
• Biologics shown to reduce disease burden in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis 
  Whitney Bembry, M.D., M.P.H., and Grant D. Syverson, M.D., FAAP
• Focus on Subspecialties Topic collection – Rheumatology

Engage

As a member of the Section on Rheumatology , you will:

• Receive communications from the Section through the Listserv® email list
• Have leadership opportunities including participating in the nominations process for the section executive committee (if eligible), serve on section subcommittees (as determined by the Executive Committee), serve as faculty, subject matter expert and/or other volunteer opportunities
• Vote in the section elections (if eligible)

James T. Cassidy Award – Nominations open until April 14, 2026

Click here for more information.

The Section on Rheumatology will recognize one individual for outstanding achievement in the field of pediatric rheumatology.  

This award is funded by the James T. Cassidy Endowment.