Osteoarthritis Research Society International Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Hochberg, professor of medicine, epidemiology, and public health, and head of the division of rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, has received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement award from the Osteoarthritis Research Society. The award recognizes Dr. Hochberg for making exceptional contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field. Dr. Hochberg received his award on April 18th at the World Congress on Osteoarthritis in Philadelphia.
Vice President of Research at The Arthritis Foundation
Dr. Vernachio will succeed Dr. John Hardin as Vice President at the Arthritis Foundation, where he will provide leadership and direction to further the research program in finding a cure and better, safer treatments for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability.
Dr. Vernachio received his doctorate in biochemistry with a concentration in immunology and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University, and finished his postdoctoral training in the department of immunology at the Research Institute of Scripps Clinic in San Diego.
Rheumatologist at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Brainerd Clinic
Dr. Vasey, who has 36 years in academic and research positions, most recently as division chief at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, has joined Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Brainerd Clinic.
Dr. Vasey grew up in Fargo, ND and earned his medical degree from University of Pennsylvania Medical School in Philadelphia. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Medical Board Advisory Member at MD Aligne
Dr. Field has been appointed medical board advisory member at MD Aligne, a web-based consumer health company that connects patients with U.S.-licensed healthcare providers. Dr. Field has been treating patients with rheumatic disease at a multilocation practice for more than 30 years. She also has had many academic positions, such as clinical associate professor of medicine at Thomas Jefferson Medical University in Philadelphia. Dr. Field was a postdoctoral fellow in rheumatology and immunology at Harvard Medical School.
Honorary chairperson of the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation’s Carroll Petrie Foundation’s Ambassador Program
Venus Williams has been named honorary chairperson of the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation’s Ambassador Program. Foundation officials believe she will be a strong ambassador, giving courage to many patients by sharing her own story. Sjögren’s syndrome, the second most prevalent autoimmune disorder, affects four million Americans, and an estimated three million remain undiagnosed. Williams was diagnosed in 2011, but had a hard time getting a proper diagnosis. The foundation believes Williams and other ambassadors educating others about the disease is the most important part of achieving their goal of shortening the time to diagnose by 50% in five years. Williams, along with other foundation ambassadors, will help increase awareness in both the medical field and general public.
