Underserved and Under-treated Save

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Speaker bios:

Daric Mueller, PA-C
Daric Mueller PA-C has practiced at a private rheumatology clinic, Shores Rheumatology, in St. Clair Shores, MI since 2019. He also holds a monthly rheumatology/ophthalmology uveitis co-management clinic at Associated Retinal Consultants in Royal Oak, MI. He received his Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Detroit Mercy in 2019. He serves as an adjunct professor for the Michigan State University PA program. He is a member of the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP). His main professional interests include managing conditions which involve interdisciplinary management such as inflammatory myopathy, sarcoidosis, and spondyloarthritis. He is a former collegiate and semi-professional lacrosse goalie and still enjoys playing weekend leagues and tournaments.

Lindsay Tom, PA-C
Lindsay Tom, PA-C, is a physician assistant at Northern Virginia Center for Arthritis, where she has spent the last six years practicing rheumatology. Prior to transitioning to rheumatology, she practiced as a physician assistant in gastroenterology, which strengthened her understanding of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases across organ systems. She earned her undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and her master’s degree from South College. Lindsay is a provider at a busy rheumatology practice and also serves as a mentor through multiple programs. She additionally is a speaker and published author with experience presenting locally, regionally, and nationally. She is a strong advocate for the role of APPs in rheumatology and has contributed multiple written pieces highlighting their value in patient care.

Iris Zink, NP
Iris Zink, NP has been a rheumatology Nurse Practitioner since 2000. She is one of a handful of Certified Rheumatology Nurse Practitioners by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in the United States. She is the past president of the Rheumatology Nurses Society where she was president from 2015 to 2017. She has served on the Rheumatology for Advanced Practice Provider (RHAPP) steering committee. She has traveled extensively lecturing on a variety of topics pertaining to arthritis, women and auto immune disease, laughter for healing as well as intimacy and chronic disease. She has published articles on topics about patient care and intimacy. In March of 2020, she co-authored the book Sex Interrupted: Igniting Intimacy while living with illness or disability. She is adjunct faculty at Wayne State University and Grand Valley State University and a passionate teacher, lecturer, and caregiver. Iris Zink has found a way to use humor to educate on tough topics that impact individuals’ lives. In 2016, Iris Zink and her husband Chris Title, Nurse Practitioner, opened the first Early Arthritis Specialty Clinic in Michigan. Iris and Chris have opened their rheumatology practice to serve the underserved. They are one of three clinics in the state of Michigan that accept Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Elizabeth Kirchner, DNP 
Elizabeth “Betsy” Kirchner, DNP is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her undergraduate degree in English Literature and Medieval Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University, her Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from The Ohio State University. Dr. Kirchner has been a member of the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation since 2000. She is board-certified in Rheumatology Nursing, and is a co-founder and past co-President of RhAPP (Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers). Dr. Kirchner has published numerous articles and book chapters and has spoken at select national and international meetings.