AARA News
AARA Among 12 AZ Companies Setting the Bar for Employee Health and Wellness Programs
Congratulations to all award-recipients!
AARA has been recognized by Banner|Aetna with Aetna's 2025 Workplace Well-being Award. This achievement recognizes employers that develop employee health and wellness programs that support their people in meaningful and measurable ways. These support mechanisms come in the form of expanded access to benefits, increased employee engagement, and beyond!
AARA recognizes that improved patient outcomes are driven in part by care teams performing at their very best. We are proud to not only be recognized for our efforts in improving the well-being of our patients but for our employees as well.
A message from AARA Human Resources:
"We’re so proud of our team! At AARA, our leaders make it a priority to keep communication open, stay connected, and create a psychologically safe environment—so every employee feels heard, valued, and supported. This isn’t just talk; it’s built into how we operate through our Wellness and Engagement Strategic Plan, which brings everyone, from HR and executive leadership to the Board of Directors, together around shared responsibility for employee well-being, engagement, and retention.
Our leadership team knows that when employees feel a sense of purpose and belonging, it strengthens the organization as a whole. Even though our work can be fast-paced and complex, leaders make it a point to encourage balance, learning, and growth. They help employees find meaning in their roles while supporting their physical, mental, and financial health. This approach has helped us retain great talent, welcome back employees after time away, and foster a culture where people take pride in the impact we make together.
In the end, wellness at AARA isn’t just a program—it’s part of how we lead. Our leaders model care, encourage engagement, and invest in wellness initiatives so that employees can grow, thrive, and provide the best care possible to the communities we serve."
Tasia Perez, Human ResourcesPivotal AARA Clinical Research on Non-Medicine RA Treatment Published in Nature Medicine
Vagus nerve-mediated neuroimmune modulation for rheumatoid arthritis: a pivotal randomized controlled trial
Recognition for the research study that led to the FDA-approval of a vagal nerve stimulator for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) continues to gain traction in the medical community. Nature Medicine, a premiere research journal, published the work of Principal Investigator John R.P. Tesser, MD, FACP, MACR, and key contributor AARA Clinical Research—work that now gives patients a new treatment option for RA, particularly those resistant to traditional medical treatments.
"As we know, this is the first device to be approved by the FDA for any autoimmune disease and specifically for rheumatoid arthritis. And this is the first new mechanism of action treatment approved for rheumatoid arthritis since 2012!"
John R. P. Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACRJanuary 30th Arthritis Educational Event
January Arthritis Educational Event: Lindsay DeWolfe to present with Arthritis Foundation
On January 30th, 2026, the Arthritis Foundation will host Living Well with Life Hacks—an educational forum where those in the arthritis community will be able to receive free expert advice from local healthcare providers. This year's featured speakers include AARA's Lindsay DeWolfe, DNP, FNP-C, and Lindsey Cambra, DPT, of Fyzical Therapy and Balance.
Those living with arthritis are encouraged to register for this FREE event to get proven tips to protect joints and make daily tasks easier.
"I'm really excited to be presenting to our community members living with arthritis and sharing how small, simple changes can make a big difference. We'll be talking about easy, practical modifications—like diet and hydration—that can help ease pain and improve quality of life without relying on medications."
Lindsay DeWolfe, DNP, FNP-C- This event is FREE but registration is required.
- Food and refreshments will be served.
Don't let arthritis or pain control you. Take charge!
Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Disruptive Advance in Science
By Leonard H. Calabrese, DO
Fact checked by Shenaz Bagha
On July 30, the FDA approved the first device of its kind — a vagal nerve stimulator for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis whose disease is not adequately controlled by existing therapies, including biologics.
This month’s Healio Exclusive, in which I had the privilege of joining with a distinguished group of rheumatology consultants — including Andrew J. Holman, MD; Vibeke Strand, MD, FACP, MACR; and John R.P. Tesser, MD, FACP, MACR — also features Kevin J. Tracey, MD, whose discoveries mapped the inflammatory reflex and reshaped our understanding of brain-immune communication that made this therapy possible.
