RheumNow Celebrates Three Years Save

Listen to the Mustn'ts, child,
listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts,
the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves,
then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child,
Anything can be. — Shel Silverstein

We have something - and someone - to celebrate. Surprise, Dr. Jack Cush - this one’s for you!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015, we published the first edition of RheumNow. In three years’ time, we’ve delivered nearly 200 opinion blogs from dozens of contributors, 1550+ news pieces, 240+ videos, and thousands (and thousands) of tweets. We’ve sent over one million emails to thousands of readers, fostering community online and off. RheumNow has engaged in live coverage of multiple scientific meetings in the United States and Europe. We have a YouTube channel. A Facebook page. A podcast.  

Everyone wonders how Dr. Cush does it. Vision. Drive. Determination. Unwavering resolve. Strength of purpose. Commitment - day in, day out. Willing to take risks. Unwilling to settle. All these, yes, but also this: passion, heart and soul.

In celebration, we asked a few of his colleagues to share their remarks about this important milestone. Without further ado…

There are few things I read every day that come in the email, or even otherwise. I look at the New York Times daily, and at our local newspaper, which contain important but generally not uplifting items. Not so RheumNow. That I look forward to each day it appears, for its USEFUL and TIMELY synopsis of what is really important in my world. But it would be just another blog if it wasn’t presented by you, Jack. For your profound knowledge of our field, our colleagues and our patients is the real treasure and reason to read RheumNow. No one delivers it better than you, and your  great team. I appreciate especially the healthy dose of humor, self-knowledge, and sometimes biting insights you bring to your readers. Thank you for creating RheumNow, and may you, and it, continue to have success. All of us in the rheumatology community appreciate you and what you do for us. -- Eric Matteson, MD

Borrowing from the old country song, "Jack was social-media before social-media was cool". Congrats to Jack on 3 years of intense and excellent work. The single most common comment I hear from rheumatologists around the world who read RheumNow regularly - and there are many of them - is "how does he have time to do all this??". That should be the topic for an upcoming column! Best wishes on the next 3 and 33 years! -- Artie Kavanaugh, MD

RheumNow is the "NPR" (national public radio) for rheumatologists. I have enjoyed reading the latest news about diseases, drug safety issues, and meeting highlights when I have been too busy to research them on my own. The content has helped me in my clinical practice, provided laughter, start conversations and win debates with my colleagues. Congratulations on 3 years!  -- Kathryn Dao, MD

Jack, I still don’t know how you do it! Maintaining practice, doing research, eating and sleeping, and running this amazing RheumNow thing. You are superhuman. The people doing the Marvel superhero movies need to come up with a Jack Cush character, and weave you into the superhero team. Greatest regards -- Phil Mease, MD

Jack is a great rheumatologist and great human being. Dedicated, passionate and generous with all. I am continuously impressed and amazed with his capacity to do everything, be everywhere and do it with professionalism and his indefatigable sense of humor. Keep it up Jack. You inspire us all. --  Lenny Calabrese, DO

Congratulations to Jack on the creation of an outstanding resource.  RheumNow is engaging, timely and informative and a must read for rheumatologists.  In addition to being a fine writer, Jack is a fine editor. Editing is an important skill and Jack has it, something all writers appreciate. I wish Jack continued success and, when his name pops up on my email, I know that I will learn something and have a good time too. Best -- David Pisetsky, MD, PhD

Happy anniversary Rheumnow!  There’s never been a better time to practice rheumatology than today. This is, in part, thanks to Dr. Jack Cush for his continued commitment to sharing up to date and relevant information. His passion for medicine, insight and humor make him a leader in the field. I’m proud to call him my “rheumatechnologist!”. -- Rachel Tate, DO

Jack is fantastic to know, he is loud, full of energy and never short of a quip. I love what he has put together, it just gets better and better. -- Phil  Robinson, MBChB, PhD, FRACP

Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary Jack!! Rheumnow has been an amazing platform for the new generation of rheumatologist. I personally have tuned in since day one and now feel honored to be part of the team. Keep up the great work! -- Julio Gonzalez, MD

Dr. Cush’s creation has grown exponentially and I can’t go far without hearing from colleagues how much they enjoy RheumNow. Now no one has an excuse to not be up to date on the latest in the world of rheumatology!  I am honored to be a part of RheumNow. -- Cassie Calabrese, DO

Congratulations, Jack and RheumNow staff for three years of success and on having the vision and ability to continue to educate our Rheumatology community in the most efficient and relevant manner possible. Jack, you have been teaching me since we have been fellows, way back in the mid 1980s, and I continue to appreciate your willingness to share your incredible wealth of knowledge. All the best for continued success! -- Orrin M. Troum, MD

Congratulations for sticking with it for 3 years. Not only have you made your effort informational but also fun to read and listen to. How else to end the week but having Dr. Cush telling me the important updates that occurred during the past week. You are doing the job that would take me weeks to do. Thanks for doing this important service for rheumatologists.  I hope you do not get tired and keep doing it for many years to come. -- David G. Borenstein, MD, MACP, MACR

3+ years ago, Jack contacted me about his idea for a news website. He had mocked up an idea that looked like a bad dream about Windows 95. My gut told me he was nuts. But for three years since that call, Jack has been up at the crack of dawn for every call. He's been known to send some very late-night e-mails. He's taken meetings from more countries than I've even traveled to. He's challenged everyone on his team to build something that we're all proud of. RheumNow really is a testament to his tenacity, vision and leadership. And my gut was right. -- John Swope

Jack messaged me over Twitter (of course he did): “I have a project that might be up your alley. Call me to talk?” And so it began. RheumNow went from an idea in a business plan to a living work of art. Week in and week out, Jack's focus is to make RheumNow the best it can be. He pushes our team to see opportunity, he invites ideas and welcomes challenges and feedback. He is amazing to work for and with, and I'm proud of what RheumNow has become. Oh, and I think by now everyone knows this: he doesn't listen to the Shouldn’ts, the Impossibles, the Won’ts. Congratulations Jack, thanks for asking me along for the ride, and I'm excited to see where this next year takes us. -- Tammy J. Tilley

JC - Congratulations on 3 MIGHTY years (AND OVER A MILLION EMAILS DELIVERED)! I will never forget my first ACR (Boston) with the RheumNow team. I had already figured out that you were somewhat of a BIG DEAL in the Rheumatology world. Alas, I had NO idea I was representing one of the GIANTS in the field of Rheumatology! I've never figured out how you manage to juggle all the balls that you have to juggle (daily, weekly, yearly) - and, yet, you are always thinking of INNOVATION and how we can get/be better (one of the BEST lessons I've learned from you). You've amazed me every step of the way! We MADE it, CUSH! It is no longer - What is RhemNow? What is Jack Cush up to? How in the hell does Jack have time to do all that he does? RheumNow is now a BRAND that people know, love and recognize! In the words of my hero: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish ~ Steve Jobs. I can't wait to see where year number 4 takes us! -- Brandi Waits