New York, NY – October 5th, 2018 – RPASF and Race for RP extended their congratulations to Marcela A. Ferrada, MD for her Distinguished Fellow Award from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Dr. Ferrada is a leading researcher into relapsing polychondritis – a debilitating autoimmune disease in which the immune system misfires, attacking cartilage to leave sufferers in pain.
Dr. Ferrada is a Clinical Fellow in the Office of the Director at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institutes of Health (NIAMS/NIH). The Distinguished Fellow Award is given to clinical and research fellows in a rheumatology fellowship training program who have displayed an exemplary and meritorious performance throughout the training.
“Dr. Ferrada is one of the world’s foremost experts in relapsing polychondritis and her cutting-edge research is paving the way to better treatment strategies and an eventual cure,” said Nancy Linn, Chair of the RPASF’s board of directors.
“The clinical work and advocacy of scientists, such as Dr. Ferrada, means that patients with relapsing polychondritis can lead fuller lives thanks to the dedicated professionals who are committed to finding ways to treat and cure this debilitating, chronic disease. We are thrilled that Dr. Ferrada’s innovative work is getting the recognition that it deserves.”
The Distinguished Fellow Award will be presented to Dr. Ferrada at the Opening Lecture of the ACR 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. The Award Ceremony and Opening Lecture will take place on October 20th in room W375B of the West Building at McCormick Place between 6:15 PM and 9:00 PM (CDT).
Dr. Ferrada’s interest in RP emerged after she struggled with an illness that no one was able to diagnose. Despite her clinical and medical expertise in critical care and family members with a background in health care specialties, including cardiologists, surgeons, and intensivists, it was not until a chance consultation with Dr. James Katz, a rheumatologist aware of relapsing polychondritis, that she was finally diagnosed.
“I am intrigued and challenged by relapsing polychondritis,” said Ferrada. “The disease is exceptionally difficult to diagnose with no known disease-specific biomarkers. By default, diagnosis remains imprecise. Where there is research there is hope – and we have research. I have taken on a goal: to be of lasting service to people afflicted with this debilitating disease.”
For more information about relapsing polychondritis, the Race for RP, and RPASF, please visit https://rpf-new-staging.skybox2.com and http://raceforrp.org/. For all general and media inquiries, please contact Matthew Salaverry at 646-825-0572 or matt@rpf-new-staging.skybox2.com.
About Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc.
The Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc. (RPASF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which strives to raise awareness and educate the public, as well as represent its patients to the global medical community and support medical research toward a cure. For more information about RPASF, please visit the foundation’s website.
About Race for RP
Race for RP is a non-profit organization that supports research, awareness programs, and care, for those affected by relapsing polychondritis and related diseases. RP is a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system misfires, turning on the patient’s cartilage. For more information about Race for RP, please visit the organization’s website.
RPASF: https://rpf-new-staging.skybox2.com
Race for RP: http://raceforrp.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPASFInc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPASF_Official
ACR: https://www.rheumatology.org/
ACR Annual Meeting: https://www.rheumatology.org/Annual-Meeting
Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc.
1202 Lexington Avenue, Box 112
New York, NY 10028
United States of America
