Rheumatologists on the Move, January 2016

“I try to teach my students that it’s important to advocate for under-served communities,” Dr. Breland says. As a woman from a rural background, she understands the difficulties people can face if they don’t live close to medical centers. As she puts it, “No matter where you live, everyone deserves the best possible care.”

Scleroderma Foundation of Southern California: Spirit of Leadership Award Goes to Dr. Jeffrey Siegel

Jeffrey Siegel, MD, senior group medical director of immunology at Genentech, was honored with the Spirit of Leadership Award from the Scleroderma Foundation of Southern California in October 2015.

The award recognizes one who has contributed to the progress in scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis) treatments, which currently has no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy. Scleroderma is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease that can cause degenerative changes and scarring in skin, joints and internal organs.

Dr. Siegel’s most recent work with Genentech Immunology helped the company obtain an FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Actemra (tocilizumab) for the treatment of systemic sclerosis based on data from the Phase II faSScinate study. The FDA designates a drug a breakthrough therapy when that drug shows promising clinical data for treatment of serious or life-threatening disease, according to Dr. Siegel. “The breakthrough therapy designation means that senior management in the FDA will participate in further development and review of the drug.”

Dr. Siegel has more than 20 years of experience researching scleroderma during his time as supervisory medical officer, clinical team leader in rheumatology at the FDA and now with Genentech. At the FDA, he was involved in the review and approval of many therapies for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, including scleroderma. At Genentech, Dr. Siegel is involved in the continuing study of the company’s immunology portfolio in order to identify areas where treatments can help address patients with unmet needs.

Ann-Marie Lindstrom is an independent writer and editor based in the Tucson, Ariz., area.