A Passion for Research

Rheumatology Research Workshop attendees discuss an abstract poster at a poster

session and reception.

Rheumatology Research Foundation donors hope gifts impact knowledge, practice & the future of rheumatology

The mission of the Rheumatology Research Foundation is to advance research and training to improve the health of patients living with rheumatic diseases. To achieve this mission, the Foundation is committed to ensuring a consistent source of funding that supports the growth of the rheumatology workforce, addresses patient care needs and fosters ongoing research in the field. Private investment plays a crucial role in sustaining the specialty. Recently, the Foundation received three major endowment gifts designed to support both established researchers and attract students to the field. These transformational gifts will provide a sustainable funding source and help fuel the future of rheumatology.

Stanford L. Peng, MD, PhD, and Andrea Peng committed $2.5 million to establish the Stanford L. Peng, MD, PhD, and Andrea Peng Endowed Investigator Award. This transformative gift will provide support for junior investigators as they conduct innovative research and establish their research independence.

James T. Rosenbaum, MD, MACR, and his family committed $1 million to establish the James T. Rosenbaum and Family Endowed Research Fund. This endowment will support established investigators conducting vital research into the causes, prevention and treatment of rheumatic diseases. 

A $300,000 gift commitment from George Tsokos, MD, and Maria Tsokos, MD, established the George and Maria Tsokos Endowed Recruitment Fund. It will support a variety of real-world learning experiences to encourage students and residents to learn more about rheumatology and pursue careers in the field.

Dr. Rosenbaum and Dr. George Tsokos recently explained their motivations for the gifts and their passion for research in interviews with The Rheumatologist (TR).

Paying It Forward

Dr. James T. Rosenbaum

Dr. Rosenbaum says his attitudes toward medicine and philanthropy are rooted in professional gratitude, family legacy and personal experience. His father, Edward E. Rosenbaum, MD, was Oregon’s first rheumatologist and a pioneer in the field.

Continuing this legacy, Dr. Rosenbaum, built a distinguished career as a rheumatologist, immunologist and researcher, serving for more than 20 years as the Edward E. Rosenbaum Professor at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. His research and clinical expertise usually involve ocular inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Rosenbaum is part of a family of physicians, which includes his late father, his wife, two brothers, one sister-in-law and two daughters. Dr. Rosenbaum’s wife, cardiologist Sandra J. Lewis, MD, has led efforts to support mid-career female cardiologists through the American College of Cardiology.