19 Members Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to ACR & the Field of Rheumatology
WASHINGTON, D.C.—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 19 individuals recognized in 2024 as ACR Masters are listed below. We them asked: What does recognition as an ACR Master mean to you?
Dr. Bae
Sang-Cheol Bae, MD, PhD, MPH, MACR
Chair Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology, and Director of Institute for Rheumatology Research and of Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
“I am overjoyed to share the news that I have been selected as a Master, the highest honor bestowed by the ACR,” says Dr. Bae. “I am deeply grateful to my mentors, colleagues, collaborators and family, especially my wife, for their unwavering support, which made this remarkable opportunity possible. I look forward to contributing to the advancement of the ACR and the field of rheumatology in various ways.”
Dr. Bohnsack
John F. Bohnsack, MD, MACR
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
“I am deeply honored to be awarded the Master designation by the ACR,” says Dr. Bohnsack. “I am very committed to the important mission of the ACR, and all that the ACR has accomplished as an organization. [Although] I am somewhat skeptical that I deserve this recognition, I am extremely grateful to my colleagues who nominated me and supported this award.”
Dr. Bonfá
Eloisa Bonfá, MD, PhD, MACR
Full Professor of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil
“Receiving recognition as an ACR Master is an extraordinary honor and a milestone in my career,” says Dr. Bonfá. “It reflects not only a lifetime of dedication to advancing rheumatology but also the responsibility to continue mentoring the next generation and contributing to the global rheumatology community.”
Dr. Brent
Lawrence Brent, MD, MACR
Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia
“Being recognized as an ACR Master is the culmination of 40 years in rheumatology,” says Dr. Brent. “This includes recognition of my contributions to the field including patient care, education, research and contributions to the ACR and local and regional rheumatology associations.”
Dr. Bridges
Louis Bridges, Jr., MD, PhD, MACR
Physician-in-Chief, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York, and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
“Being honored as an ACR Master is deeply meaningful to me in large measure because it is a recognition from my peers,” says Dr. Bridges. “I have always been proud to be a rheumatologist and feel gratitude that I have been able to care for patients and contribute to research and education to help advance our profession. I am very grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had in my professional career and for the many friends and colleagues whom I have worked with over the years.”
Dr. Cardiel
Mario H. Cardiel, MD, MSc, MACR
Rheumatologist in Private Practice, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico
“Being recognized as an ACR Master by my peers is a great honor, a privilege that moves deep gratitude feelings toward all the people in my life responsible for this,” says Dr. Cardiel. “This distinction could serve as an inspiration to young rheumatologists in Latin America.”
Dr. Cutolo
Maurizio Cutolo, MD, MACR
Professor of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, School of Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Genova, Italy; Senior Consultant, Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology/Postgraduate School of Rheumatology and Director of Laboratories of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, Italy
“I am deeply grateful to be honored by the ACR with the designation of ACR Master, joining outstanding colleagues who have been instrumental leaders in advancing the field of rheumatology,” says Dr. Cutolo. “Decades of serving both EULAR and ACR have led me to achieve this election to the elite group of Masters of the ACR, and I am delighted. To be recognized by one’s peers is the pinnacle of my professional career, and therefore I am humbled and thankful for receiving this exclusive award. Finally, I am grateful to my family, colleagues and my team members, as well as international and national friends, who have supported me throughout my career, in addition to my patients, who have taught me so much.”
Dr. Joseph
Amy M. Joseph, MD, FACP, MACR
Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Chief of Rheumatology, VA St. Louis Healthcare System
“What a wonderful honor to be recognized for the work that I love,” says Dr. Joseph. “I appreciate the inspirational mentors, friends and colleagues who have been selected as ACR Masters over the years, as well as the important role the ACR plays in promoting rheumatology care, education and research.”
Dr Katz
Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, MSc, MACR
Professor of Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Professor of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston
“I have had the pleasure and honor of learning from generous and wise clinical and research mentors, working with resilient, appreciative, challenging patients and collaborating with a large community of exceptionally talented clinicians, investigators, leaders and staff,” says Dr Katz. “What a gift! I have thoroughly enjoyed a wonderfully rewarding career as an academic rheumatologist.”
Dr. Kramer
Neil Kramer, MD, FACP, MACR
Medical Director, Institute for Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases and Rheumatology Fellowship Associate Program Director, Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J.
“Being recognized as a Master of the ACR came as a total surprise to me, some sort of ‘fake news,’ which initially evoked strong emotions of the imposter syndrome,” says Dr. Kramer. “I am humbled by this honor, for which I am forever grateful to my mentors, colleagues, residents, students, fellows and, above all, to the patients who have given such meaning to my career.”
Dr. Loeser
Richard F. Loeser, MD, MACR
Joseph P. Archie, Jr. Eminent Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and Director, Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
“I’m very honored to receive the ACR Master Award,” says Dr. Loeser. “Even though it has my name on it, this honor is really a reflection of all of the great people who I have had a chance to work with over the years on my journey in academic rheumatology, as well as at the ACR, who have made this possible.”
Dr. Misra
Ramnath Misra, MD, FRCP (London), FAMS, MAPLAR, MACR
Professor, Head of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology and Dean (Research), Kalinga Institute of Medical Science, Bhubaneswar, India
“I was extremely delighted and humbled by this distinctive honor of Master by the ACR, the greatest award and recognition for me,” says Dr. Misra. “I am immensely grateful to my colleagues, mentees and peers for endorsing my role as a teacher to instill basic and applied aspects of immunology to fellows in rheumatology. It is a privilege to be in the club of Masters of ACR.”
Dr. O’Rourke
Kenneth O’Rourke, MD, MACR
Adult Rheumatologist in Portland, Maine, and Rheumatology Division Director, Maine Medical Center, Portland; former Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.
“I am honored and humbled to be recognized with a Master award from the ACR and very thankful for the numerous opportunities as a clinician educator to contribute to its mission and our profession over the arc of my career,” says Dr. O’Rourke. “In accepting this award, I am forever grateful for the mentorship of Stanley Naguwa, MD, and Robert Ike, MD, the ongoing support and inspiration I receive from my colleagues, and the love and support of my wife, Maureen, and children, Kerry and Patrick.”
Dr. Parks
Deborah Parks, MD, MACR
Professor of Medicine; Clinical Operations Director, Division of Rheumatology; Director, MSK Ultrasound Training Program; and Director, Rheumatology Oncology Clinic, Washington University in St. Louis
“If one is judged by the company they keep, I am both honored and humbled by being acknowledged as a MACR, with current/prior recipients for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration,” says Dr. Parks.
Dr. Schanberg
Laura E. Schanberg, MD, MACR
Professor of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; Faculty, Duke Clinical Research Institute; and Scientific Adviser, Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, Washington, D.C.
“What is most meaningful to me about the ACR Master designation is that it represents the recognition of peers both within and outside the pediatric rheumatology community,” says Dr. Schanberg.
Dr. Senécal
Jean-Luc Senécal, MD, FRCPC, MCRA, MACR
Rheumatologist, Division of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM); Director, Autoimmunity Research Laboratory, CHUM Research Center; Professor of Medicine, and Past Chairholder of the University of Montreal Scleroderma Research Chair (2003–23), University of Montreal Faculty of Medicine
“The ACR embodies excellence in rheumatology worldwide, including through its large membership, strong peer-reviewed journals and exceptional Convergence annual meetings,” says Dr. Senécal. “As a Canadian rheumatologist who carried out his rheumatology research fellowship in the U.S. under the directorship of the late Naomi F. Rothfield, MD, Arthur Weinstein, MD, and Janet M. Oliver, PhD, I am deeply honored and most grateful to be designated as Master by my peers and thus to join now the international and distinguished list of ACR Masters.”
Dr. Siegel
Evan L. Siegel, MD, FACP, MACR
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., and Senior Partner, Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, P.C., Rockville, Md.
“I came into rheumatology with a fire lit by observing in my own family the devastation that unchecked rheumatic disease can rain on patients and their loved ones, and I have spent my career preventing that—one-on-one in my clinical practice and on a population level through education of my students, colleagues and peers, and work with national organizations to promote recognition, understanding and prompt therapy of these diseases and disorders,” says Dr. Siegel. “I consider recognition by the ACR, the central organization with these very same goals, a thrilling validation of these lifelong efforts. And yet, the true validation, in this career which has been fortunate to span a revolution in the understanding and treatment of rheumatic disease, is the smile of the patient I have cared for over decades who is still able to be a happy and productive member of society. That is why we all do what we do.”
Dr. Tesser
John R.P. Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR
Practicing Rheumatologist and Partner, Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., and Principal Investigator, Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Research, Phoenix
“The distinction of Master of the ACR is profoundly meaningful, and I am deeply moved by this honor,” says Dr. Tesser. “I want to thank my nominators, the members of the Awards Committee and the ACR for this recognition. It has been an incredible and inspiring journey for me to have lived through the decades of advances through the pre-and post-biologic eras of rheumatology, which have brought so many therapeutic advances that have bettered the lives of all of our patients. I would like to give utmost appreciation to my mentors, colleagues, the ACR community, my practice community, my family and most of all to my patients who have allowed me the opportunity to improve their quality of life.”
Dr. Wong
Andrew L. Wong, MD, FACP, MACR
Professor of Clinical Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles; Vice Chair of Academic and Research, Department of Medicine, (former Chief of Rheumatology 1990–2023), Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, Calif.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by the ACR and my peers as an ACR Master, joining the esteemed ranks of so many distinguished ACR Masters, for a lifelong career dedicated to academic advancement, education and teaching, professional—including ACR—service and clinical patient care/advocacy,” says Dr. Wong. “This high honor and award is a reflection of those who have supported my medical career, including my late mentors, Harold Paulus, MD, Richard Weisbart, MD, Dennis Cope, MD; my professional colleagues, including Keith Colburn, MD, Philip Clements, MD, MPH, Sharon Kolasinski, MD, Michael Pillinger, MD, Aksone Nouvong, DPM, Judith Harker, PhD, Laurence Rubenstein, MD, MPH; and my family, particularly my wife, Lydia Wong, RN, MSN, my sons, Aaron Wong, JD, Adam Wong, PharmD; my four sisters, and late parents; and my alma mater (Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Calif.); Richard Hart, MD, DrPH.”
Patrice Fusillo is a writer and editor based in Oakland, Calif.
