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The Rheumatology Research Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors is reserved exclusively for individuals who have made a transformative contribution, via a significant donation or through leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the organization’s future fundraising success. This year, Audrey M. Nelson, MD, from the Mayo Clinic, and ACR Executive Vice President Mark Andrejeski were named to the Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors and recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology.
Dr. Nelson is the first rheumatologist to make a transformational financial commitment dedicated to pediatric rheumatology training programs. The Audrey M. Nelson, MD, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Endowment in Training will support awards aimed at providing robust education and training opportunities for pediatric rheumatologists. This generous donation addresses the growing demand for pediatric rheumatologists to ensure children with rheumatic diseases have access to the care they need.
Under Mr. Andrejeski’s visionary leadership, the ACR has demonstrated its continued commitment to the Foundation’s mission through unprecedented support, which has totaled more than $22.5 million. At the direction of Mr. Andrejeski, the ACR has served as the first stakeholder in all three of the Foundation’s fundraising campaigns and set the standard for transformational giving, which has inspired a culture of philanthropy among ACR/ARP members, patients, corporations, foundations and many others.
Past inductees of the Honorary Board of Advisors include: Stanley B. Cohen, MD; Mary K. Crow, MD; the late Ephraim P. Engleman, MD, FACP, FACR; Norman B. Gaylis, MD; Tobé Malawista and the late Stephen E. Malawista, MD; James O’Dell, MD; and Arthur L. Weaver, MD.
A tribute video for each of them can be found at www.rheumresearch.org/leadership.