Vivian P. Bykerk, MD, FRCPC, MACR
Professor of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York (Retired)
“Being named a Master of the ACR is a deeply meaningful recognition, reflecting decades of work in research and patient care, my commitment to mentoring and teaching colleagues and the multidisciplinary teams I have had the honor to lead, all to advance our community’s shared mission to improve the lives of people living with rheumatic diseases,” says Dr. Bykerk. “I am honored and very grateful.”
Deborah Dyett Desir, MD, MACR, FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., & Medical Director, Yale Medicine Rheumatology, Hamden, Conn.
“I am profoundly honored to be named a Master of the ACR. Along with my service as president of the ACR, this distinction stands as the greatest honor of my professional career,” says Dr. Desir. “It is wonderfully rewarding to be recognized for dedicating my life to the work I love. My deepest gratitude goes to my generous nominators, the Awards Committee, my mentors, colleagues and the entire ACR community. I would like to thank my patients, who have entrusted me with their care and inspired me every step of the way, and my husband, Gary Desir, MD, for his unwavering support and partnership throughout this incredible journey.”
Alan L. Epstein, MD, MACR
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, & Chief of the Rheumatology Section, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia
“I am deeply grateful and truly honored to be recognized as a Master by the American College of Rheumatology,” says Dr. Epstein. “Having dedicated 40 years to the care of my patients and the education of our medical residents and my rheumatology colleagues, it is heartwarming to receive this honor. Over this period of time we have seen an explosion in our understanding of rheumatic diseases and their treatments, which has allowed us to more effectively care for our patients.”
Brian M. Feldman, MD, MSc, FRCPC, MACR
Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, & Institute of Health Policy Management & Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; Division Head of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
“I’ve been proud to be an ACR member and volunteer for my entire career, and have many good friends that I’ve made through my association with the organization,” says Dr. Feldman. “Recognition as an ACR Master is a deeply humbling honor for which I am truly grateful.”
Philip J. Hashkes, MD, MSc, RhMSUS, MACR
Head of the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be inducted by the ACR into the ‘Hall of Fame’ of rheumatology as a Master, together with the greats of the field,” says Dr. Hashkes. “I was fortunate to learn from, collaborate with and teach wonderful colleagues throughout the world in different parts of my career, including some of the pioneers and leaders in the fields of pediatric rheumatology and autoinflammatory diseases. I perceive my award also as a tribute to the high level of rheumatology and clinical care to diverse populations in Israel and I’m especially grateful I was able to contribute to the rapid expansion of pediatric rheumatology in Israel over my career.”
Gillian Hawker, MD, MSc, MACR
Professor of Medicine & Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, & Clinician Scientist & Staff Rheumatologist, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto
“It is always so special to know that others you respect and admire feel your contributions have been useful,” says Dr. Hawker. “I am indebted to the outstanding colleagues who nominated me and to those who decided I was worthy.”
Christopher R. Morris, MD, MACR
Physician, Arthritis Associates of Kingsport, Tennessee
“I am honored to have my name included among the pioneers and innovators of our specialty who have given us the diagnostic tools and treatment options for rheumatologic disorders that we have at our disposal,” says Dr. Morris. “I also accept this award on behalf of all the clinicians (among them my father) who devoted their careers to caring for all the patients with arthritic diseases.”
Mary Nakamura, MD, MACR
Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, & Staff Physician, San Francisco VA Health Care System
“I am so honored to be recognized by my colleagues as an ACR Master,” says Dr. Nakamura. “I have been so lucky in my career to have had amazing mentors and colleagues throughout my career, and I thank them and all my wonderful trainees for giving me such a meaningful career.”
Christine Thien Nga Pham, MD, MACR
Guy and Ella Mae Magness Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pathology & Immunology at the School of Medicine & Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis.
“I am thrilled to be recognized as an ACR Master,” says Dr. Pham. “The distinction is the validation of lifelong efforts dedicated to scientific advancement, education and teaching, and above all, patient care. I am grateful to my rheumatology family for their trust and support.”
Thomas A. Pressly III, MD, FACP, MACR
Rheumatologist, Willis-Knighton Health Center/Shriners Hospital, Shreveport, La.
“It is the zenith of my career to be selected for one of the highest awards of the ACR as a Master,” says Dr. Pressly. “I am most grateful for being nominated and selected. I consider my inclusion as a group award and am most grateful to my family, for their continued support; my professors, particularly Jim Cassidy, MD, Sara Walker, MD, Don Kay, MD, and Gordon Sharp, MD, and the 25 rheumatologists who participated at the Jambalaya Jubilee (our program for families with children and arthritis). Also, to the most important people in my professional life—my patients—who have both inspired me and demanded that I do my best to improve their lives. It gives me the greatest delight to accept this award.”
Angelo Ravelli, MD, MACR
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Genoa, and Scientific Director of the IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
“Being recognized as a Master of the ACR represents a great honor that acknowledges more than 40 years dedicated to the care of children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases,” says Dr. Ravelli. “It credits the contribution that I gave to the improvement of clinical care and to the growth of science in pediatric rheumatology.”
Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc, MACR
Anna Lois Waters Endowed Professor and Director of the Division of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology & the Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone, & Autoimmunity Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as a Master by the ACR,” says Dr. Saag. “I am delighted to join this distinguished group and look forward to continuing my most enjoyable long-term associations with the ACR.”
Yoshiya Tanaka, MD, PhD, MACR
Distinguished Professor, Department of Molecular Targeted Therapeutics, University of Occupational & Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu
“The ACR Master designation is the most honorable and pleasant award I have ever received in my life,” says Dr. Tanaka. “I am deeply grateful for being awarded. I will continue to dedicate myself to advancing rheumatology and enhancing the friendship and partnership among [the] ACR and our communities including APLAR [Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology] and JCR [Japan College of Rheumatology], which will lead to the further progress in rheumatology globally, as well as rheumatology patient care, I firmly believe.”
Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, MD, PhD, MACR
Rheumatologist, Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands
“I am entirely delighted and honored by the distinction Master of the ACR, which I see not only as a joyful milestone, but also as an encouragement to continue and expand my dedication to working across the Atlantic in furthering our understanding of the therapies for the rheumatic diseases, thereby improving the lives of our patients,” says Dr. van Vollenhoven.
Richard K. Vehe, MD, MACR
Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Retired)
“Learning from, and collaborating with, so many talented individuals and organizations, to be of help to and serve others, was a great reward in itself,” says Dr. Vehe. “Being nominated and selected by my colleagues to be an ACR Master is an extra special honor, and I am deeply grateful for it.”
Luis M. Vilá, MD, MACR
Professor of Medicine, Director of the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, & Director of the Rheumatology Training Program at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan
“Receiving the recognition of ACR Master is an exceptional honor and privilege in my career,” says Dr. Vilá. “Yet, a successful professional journey is only possible with the guidance of remarkable mentors and collaborators. I am especially grateful to David Fox, MD, for his unwavering support and exemplary role modeling since my rheumatology training, and to Graciela Alarcón, MD, MPH, for being an extraordinary mentor during my early years as a young investigator.”
In Summary
We congratulate the entire class of those honored in 2025 with the ACR Master designation.
Patrice Fusillo is a writer and editor based in Oakland, Calif.
