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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Rheumatologists in the Spotlight

Lucy Randall  |  Issue: December 2008  |  

International Carol Nachman Prize

Lars Klareskog, MD, PhD, professor at the Rheumatology Clinic and Rheumatology Research Unit of the Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, was awarded the International Carol Nachman Prize, the highest international honor for rheumatology, in Wiesbaden, Austria this year. Dr. Klareskog received this award in recognition for his work on the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Focusing on immune system activation and regulation,his research looks closely at the influence of genes and environment on the disease.

Dr. Klareskog brought together a group of expert geneticists and epidemiologists to explore the interplay of the environment and genetics in RA. “The … major contributions mentioned in motivation for the prize were based on what we did in the eighties, that was studying a particular molecule called a transplantation antigen in its role in immune activation in RA,” he explains. “We pursued this observation by studying how environmental stimuli such as smoking interact with this transplantation antigen in giving rise to reactions that may cause RA. That means we understand how genes and the environment interact in causing the disease.” Of the impact of his research, he says, “I think we have contributed to . . . studying the process that occurs in early stages of the disease even before the onset of symptoms and. . . This may allow us to make intervention both by prevention and therapy.”

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Dr. Klareskog stresses the collaborative nature of this undertaking, which has spanned a number of years. “Mainly [the Nachman Prize] is the recognition of the work of myself and the many collaborators. It’s a group that I’ve been working with for many years that has been able to produce these results. So it’s a recognition for all of us,” he says.

SUNY Downstate Distinguished Teaching Professor

SUNY Downstate has named Ellen M. Ginzler, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology there, a Distinguished Professor, its highest rank. The title has special significance to Dr. Ginzler because it was also granted to her greatest role model at the university, Dr. Hugh Carol, whom she identified as one of SUNY Downstate’s best professors 30 years ago when she began as an intern. Dr. Ginzler still admires and emulates the rigor of the 90-year-old doctor who, even in his retirement, continues to come in to work every day.

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Dr. Ginzler directs the second-year musculokeletal block of courses at the university, which all medical students are required to take. She created the Patient Demonstration Sessions, which students repeatedly rated the best teaching session of the year, and started the mentoring program of the American College of Rheumatology. In addition to teaching, Dr. Ginzler reviews fellowship applications for the university’s rheumatology program. From her perspective at SUNY Downstate, there seems to be no lack of interest in the next generation of physicians. Every year, Ginzler and her colleagues assess more than 100 applications for fellowships, inviting 25 candidates for interviews before choosing two for the coveted spots.

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