Recognition as an ACR Master is one of the highest honors the College bestows. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older by Oct. 1 of the year in which they are nominated, who have made outstanding contributions to the ACR and the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students and profession. The 27 individuals recognized in 2022 as ACR Masters are listed below. We asked: What does recognition as an ACR Master mean to you?
Daniel Albert, MD
Michael Belmont, MD
Professor of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City; Co-Director, New York University Langone Lupus Center, New York City; Director, Bellevue Hospital Lupus Clinic, New York City; and Medical Director of the Rheumatology Faculty Group Practice and Infusion Center at the Center for Arthritis and Autoimmunity, New York University Langone Health, New York City
“It is with humility and gratitude that I join the ranks of ACR members selected as Masters in our specialty. I recall well when in 1975 I first learned of, and was excited by, diseases that are the result of ‘horror autotoxicus.’ I am flattered after these many years to be recognized for contributions in this field related to patient care, research and medical education. I look forward to a future exploring the hygiene hypothesis, microbiome and other insights into basic immunology, genetics, the environment and socioeconomic determinants of health that will improve our understanding of these fascinating and complex disorders, which can produce significant morbidity, and even mortality, in our patients,” says Dr. Belmont.
Linda Bockenstedt, MD
Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, and Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.
“My involvement in the ACR has been one of the key formative elements of my career as a rheumatologist. I am deeply honored to be recognized as an ACR Master and to join the esteemed group of colleagues who share this distinction,” says Dr. Bockenstedt.
Richard Bucala, MD, PhD
Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health, and Chief, Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.; Rheumatologist-in-Chief, Yale New Haven Health System, Conn.
“I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the greater mission of the ACR for many years, which has been enormously gratifying on a professional and a personal level. I sincerely thank the College for according me this distinction, which I accept with the deepest appreciation,” says Dr. Bucala.
David A. Cabral, MBBS, FRCPC
Clinical Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
“For the last 35 years the ACR congress has been an annual academic touchstone for me. At these meetings I have connected with many international colleagues and been inspired by many, some of whom have been acknowledged as ACR Masters. I am humbled to be recognized among these, and also honored that my peers in this amazing organization have felt that my career achievements have been worthy. Thank you,” says Dr. Cabral.
Deh-Ming Chang, MD, MS, PhD, FACR
Professor Emeritus, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; and Medical Advisor, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
“This award, the Master of ACR, gives a perfect footnote for my rheumatology career, brightens my life, and will promote me to contribute further in rheumatology,” says Dr. Chang.
Arvind Chopra, MD, DNB, FRCP (London)
Director and Chief Rheumatologist, Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune, India
“This is a unique global honor. And I look upon it as an endorsement of my work in the community on projects, such as the WHO [World Health Organization], ILAR [International League of Associations for Rheumatology] Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Disorders (COPCORD) and validation of Ayurvedic (India traditional system) arthritis drugs. Rheumatologists need to step into the community. There is a huge, neglected burden of musculoskeletal pain and arthritis. The predominant problems are undiagnosed aches and pains, soft tissue rheumatism and degenerative arthritis,” says Dr. Chopra.
Maria C. Cid, MD
Senior Consultant, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona; Professor, University of Barcelona Medical School; and Senior Group Leader at the August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona
“The Master recognition is something that I had never dreamed of. It came as a big surprise. I welcome it as a recognition of a sustained motivation, enthusiasm and effort over the years through a long and winding road. I often have thought about Marie S. Curie’s words, ‘I was never taught that the way to progress was swift or easy.’ I welcome it as a role model for women, scientists not working in pioneer countries and those entering a clinician-scientist career,” says Dr. Cid.
Anne Davidson, MBBS
Professor, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y.; and Rheumatology Program Director, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell, Manhasset.
“The ACR has been the premier professional organization to which I belong, providing high quality education, funding at all professional levels and a group of peers who inspire excellence in all areas of our specialty. My service on multiple committees both for the ACR and the RRF [Rheumatology Research Foundation] has been a source of great professional satisfaction over many years. It is a great honor to be recognized by the ACR for the work that I love to do,” says Dr. Davidson.
Abraham “Avi” Gedalia, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Head, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans
“I am very happy and honored to receive this Master recognition. I feel that this was a well-deserved recognition after many years of hard work of taking care of children with rheumatic disorders, participating in teaching (of students, residents and fellows), research, and publications. All those years I enjoyed being an active member of the ACR, meeting fellow rheumatologists,” says Dr. Gedalia.
Ellen M. Gravallese, MD
Theodore Bevier Bayles Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Chief of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
“To be recognized by one’s peers and included among the eminent and distinguished list of Masters of the American College of Rheumatology is a tremendous honor. My career in rheumatology has spanned basic science research, patient care, administration and teaching, each of which has been exceptionally rewarding. In addition, service to the ACR has truly been a career highlight and I am deeply grateful for this wonderful recognition by the College,” says Dr. Gravallese.
Max Hamburger, MD, FACP, FACR
Managing Partner, Rheumatology Associates of Long Island, Melville, N.Y.
“I’ve devoted myself for more than 25 years to finding ways to help my colleague rheumatologists work with payers for the betterment of our patients, and to educating primary care physicians about advances in diagnostics and management of our patients. This recognition validates my efforts and the efforts of those who have worked with me. It is enormously gratifying and heartwarming at this point in my career to be recognized by the College,” says Dr. Hamburger.
Samina Hayat, MD
Robert E. Wolf Professor, Chief of Rheumatology, Director, Center for Excellence for Arthritis and Rheumatology, and Director, Rheumatology Fellowship Program, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport
“I am honored to be selected as ACR Master. After spending three decades in academics and devoting my career to the fascinating, ever-evolving field of rheumatology, I enjoy a great sense of gratitude and accomplishment. I feel fortunate to take care of very complex patients and improve their quality of life, particularly the unprivileged ones. I have trained many amazing rheumatology fellows, residents and students. I want to thank ACR and my rheumatology colleagues for their continuing support and for bestowing this great honor on me. I hope this legacy of teaching and patient care will carry on,” says Dr. Hayat.
Leslie E. Kahl, MD
Professor of Medicine, Interim Chief, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland
“I am deeply honored and truly grateful to be named a Master of the ACR. My career path has been a little unusual (curriculum development for an entire medical school, student affairs, faculty development and, of course, rheumatology curriculum and fellowship training), so I am particularly delighted to be recognized and endorsed by my peers in this way,” says Dr. Kahl.
Asgar Ali Kalla, MBChB, FCP (SA), PhD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
“The recognition as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology is the culmination of a career devoted to advocacy, care, teaching and research in rheumatology. I feel honored and privileged to join the list of distinguished awardees who have elevated the field of rheumatology worldwide, and I hope to continue these activities in Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. I shall endeavor to uphold the principles and values of the ACR,” says Dr. Kalla.
Munther A. Khamashta, MD, FRCP, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Women & Children’s Health, King’s College London, U.K.; and Gulf Medical Expert (Lupus), GSK, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“I am excited and privileged by this award which the ACR has bestowed upon me. I am very grateful for this recognition. It is an honor to join the list of amazing people who have received the designation of Master of the ACR in the past. This award is dedicated to the memory of my beloved parents. They were very proud of my academic achievements: ‘You are always on my mind and forever in my heart,’” says Dr. Khamashta.
Alan Kivitz, MD
President and Medical Director, Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, Duncansville, Pa.; and President and Medical Director, Altoona Center for Clinical Research, Duncansville, Pa.
“I am honored to receive ACR’s Master Award and very thankful to the College for awarding me this designation. I am proud to be caring for my patients with rheumatic disease for the last 40 years, and offer them and my community state-of-the-art care, including clinical research, which has led to some of the greatest advances in our field,” says Dr. Kivitz.
Andrew Laster, MD, FACR
Founding Partner and President, Arthritis & Osteoporosis Consultants of the Carolinas, Charlotte, N.C.; and Assistant Consulting Professor of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
“I am incredibly honored to be recognized by the ACR with the Masters designation. It is truly humbling to review the list of past ACR Masters, especially since many who sparked my interest in rheumatology and served as mentors came from Johns Hopkins and Duke where I was fortunate to train. I am passionate about being a practicing rheumatologist and have delighted in caring for patients over the past 36 years; however, our field now faces several serious hurdles with increasing physician burnout associated with EMR [electronic medical records] documentation, prior authorizations and other administrative tasks. I am encouraged that the ACR recognizes these issues and look forward to working with the organization in the coming years to address these challenges,” says Dr. Laster.
Larry W. Moreland, MD
Professor of Medicine and Orthopedics, Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition as Master of the American College of Rheumatology. I am very appreciative of the mentors and colleagues who have helped me as a teacher, clinician and researcher. I have been extremely fortunate to be associated with numerous talented collaborators,” says Dr. Moreland.
Nancy J. Olsen, MD
H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Chair in Rheumatology and Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey
“Being selected by my peers to become an ACR Master is a great honor. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in education, training and research as well as the support of mentors and colleagues whom I have enjoyed working with throughout more than four decades as an ACR member. As I look through the list of previous recipients, I see former classmates, mentors, colleagues and co-investigators, spanning decades and continents. It is very special to have my name added to this list,” says Dr. Olsen.
Carlos D. Rose, MD, CIP
Honorary Professor of Pediatrics and former Director, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
“To be a recipient of the ACR Master award signifies a tremendous honor to me not only because the ACR has been an organization by which I always felt fully represented as a pediatric clinician, researcher and educator, but also because in it resides the recognition of my peers. I am humbled by being included in this outstanding group of colleagues and could not be more grateful to the ACR for the decision,” says Dr. Rose.
Robert A. S. Roubey, MD
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
“I am deeply grateful to receive the ACR Master designation. I’ve admired and been inspired by this distinguished group of colleagues and mentors throughout my career. To be recognized by one’s peers is a truly special and meaningful honor,” says Dr. Roubey.
Ken Schikler, MD
Chief of Rheumatology and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Ky.
“Recognition as an ACR Master demonstrates how our community of pediatric rheumatologists has been a welcoming and collaborative group of physicians who have encouraged and supported my career development and recognized my efforts to give good care to patients, help develop new and useful information and share what I have learned with learners,” says Dr. Schikler.
Nina D. Schwartz, MD
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Emeritus), Division of Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco; and Chief of Rheumatology (Retired), Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, South San Francisco, Calif.
“I am deeply honored to receive the ACR Master award and very humbled to join previous and current rheumatologists who have received the award. My profound gratitude goes to the ACR and my colleagues for supporting my career of patient care and teaching,” says Dr. Schwartz.
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Former Clinical Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston; Corresponding Member, Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing, Boston
“Being recognized as an ACR Master is a tremendous honor as it acknowledges contributions to our profession and to the ACR, including teaching, clinical contributions, scholarship and work within the ACR itself. While I believe everyone appreciates recognition for what they do, this award is especially gratifying to me as it comes from our professional society with a long tradition of excellence and commitment,” says Dr. Shmerling.
Frederick B. Vivino, MD, MS
Emeritus Chief of Rheumatology, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia; and Director Emeritus, Penn Sjögren’s Syndrom Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
“To receive this recognition from the ACR and my rheumatology peers is really something special. I am deeply honored and truly gratified to be a member of the 2022 ACR Masters class,” says Dr. Vivino.
Robert W. Warren, MD, PhD, MPH
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
“I am humbled to be named an ACR Master by my colleagues. Pediatric rheumatology is a team effort, and this honor echoes the awesome synergy among the teams at Duke, University of North Carolina, Baylor and the Medical University of South Carolina,” says Dr. Warren.
Patrice Fusillo is a writer and editor based in Oakland, Calif.
