Dr. Katz reiterated the numerous successes NIAMS has funded over the past 25 years resulting in advanced diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies for patients with chronic diseases of the muscle, skin, bone, and joints.
The 2011 NIAMS Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the Honorable John Porter. Porter served 21 years as a U.S. Congressman.
During his tenure as chair of the subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, the NIH budget doubled, leading to a surge of new scientific discoveries. Porter continues to be a passionate advocate for NIH and the funding of research as the chair of Research!America and vice-chair of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. Porter encouraged attendees to persist in educating Congress on the life-changing advancements being discovered through biomedical research.