Dr. Christine Beanland (RN, BSc (Hons), PhD (Monash)) has lived with severe active Rheumatoid Arthritis since the mid-1980s, which has impacted upon every aspect of her life and work. Chris trained as a nurse and, following her RA-diagnosis, studied science at Monash University graduating with an Honours degree in physiology and a PhD. She held academic positions in nursing for many years and undertook funded research into nursing interventions to improve patient care and also innovative models of medicines management in primary and acute care settings. In addition, she worked in health practitioner regulation and for a private health insurance provider, giving her a broader perspective on the provision of health services. Chris retired for health reasons in 2016 and lives with her husband and son in Melbourne.