The Rheumatology Research Foundation has appointed Abby G. Abelson, MD, with the Cleveland Clinic to serve as president. She begins a two-year term alongside the new vice president, S. Louis Bridges Jr., MD, PhD, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Drs. Abelson and Bridges are highly accomplished leaders in the field of rheumatology with an extraordinary depth of experiences.
In their roles, Drs. Abelson and Bridges will ensure the largest private funder of rheumatology research and training in the U.S. continues to support the priorities established by the ACR and funds programs that advance patient care.
Foundation President
Abby G. Abelson, MD
“As a former award recipient, I truly understand the Foundation’s vital role advancing the specialty of rheumatology. The Foundation has a long tradition of supporting meaningful research, training and education programs to ensure patients are receiving the best possible care,” said Dr. Abelson. “I’m honored to work alongside Dr. Bridges and the Foundation staff. Together we will ensure support is available for programs that attract the brightest in the field and fund innovative research.”
A passion for rheumatology has led both Drs. Abelson and Bridges to volunteer in several capacities with the Foundation and the ACR. Dr. Abelson has served as vice president of the Foundation and on the Strategic Planning Committee and Scientific Advisory Council, and is past chair of the ACR Committee on Training and Workforce and the Subcommittee on Academic Workforce. Dr. Bridges recently served as chair of the Committee on Research and sat on the board of directors of the Foundation.
Foundation Vice President
S. Louis Bridges Jr., MD, PhD
Drs. Abelson and Bridges are also accomplished professionals. Dr. Abelson is currently chair of the Cleveland Clinic’s department of rheumatic and immunologic diseases, as well as director of education at the Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease. Dr. Bridges is the director of the division of clinical immunology and rheumatology at UAB, where he serves as Anna Lois Waters endowed chair of the division of clinical immunology and rheumatology. He is also the director of UAB’s Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center and co-director of UAB’s Center of Research Translation.
The Foundation is also pleased to welcome Bryce Binstadt, MD, PhD, as chair of the Scientific Advisory Council; Charles King, MD, as treasurer; Anne-Marie Malfait, MD, PhD, as the ACR Research Representative; Olivier Chambenoit, PhD, as the Corporate Roundtable representative; and Erin Arnold, MD, as member-at-large to the board of directors.
With their guidance, the Foundation will continue to achieve meaningful advancements that benefit the specialty of rheumatology and support the next generation of rheumatology professionals.
