David Pisetsky, MD, PhD, professor of medicine (Rheumatology and Immunology), was awarded the Presidential Gold Medal by the American College of Rheumatology earlier this month.
The Presidential Gold Medal, the highest award that the ACR can bestow, is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in rheumatology over an entire career. Awardees will have made important contributions in multiple areas such as clinical medicine, research, education or administration.
"Dr. Pisetsky is highly deserving of this award in recognition of his stellar research accomplishments and many contributions to the American College of Rheumatology," said Bill St. Clair, MD, chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology. "He has worked doggedly throughout his career to discover the origin of autoantibodies and illuminate the causes of lupus and other autoimmune diseases."
Dr. Pisetsky served as the editor of Arthritis and Rheumatism, the flagship journal of Rheumatology. As the first editor of “The Rheumatologist,” he created a monthly publication featuring the latest news about our specialty, expert commentary, and fascinating stories about people and their personal and professional accomplishments, St. Clair said. "David is an excellent writer and storyteller in his own right and responsible for creating an award-winning column in The Rheumatologist called 'Rheuminations.'”
"David mentored me early in my research career and provide me with my first opportunity to serve as a volunteer in the American College of Rheumatology," St. Clair said. "He has been instrumental to the success of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology. He served as chief of our division for more than 10 years, and the principal investigator of our NIH T32 Training Grant. I can’t thank him enough for all of his contributions."