MEET THE RHEUMATOLOGY RESEARCH FOUNDATION INFO SESSION
The Rheumatology Research Foundation is the largest private funding source of rheumatology research and training in the United States. Our partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry leaders who make up our Corporate Roundtable are critical to our mission to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases.
This info session introduces those interested in our Corporate Roundtable to members of the Foundation's leadership, explains the organization’s strategic priorities and explores ways to engage with the Foundation.
Learn more about the Corporate Roundtable in this FAQ.
Have questions the Foundation's Corporate Roundtable? Connect with Kate Adams, National Director of Corporate Philanthropy, kadams@rheumatology.org.
MODERATOR
Rachel Myslinski, MBA
Executive Director
Rachel J. Myslinski, MBA has 18 years of experience in the healthcare industry focused on health policy, nonprofit leadership and improving the business of healthcare delivery. She is currently Executive Director for the Rheumatology Research Foundation. Prior to this position, Rachel was Vice President, Practice, Advocacy and Quality for the ACR, where she had overall responsibility for projects and programs related to supporting rheumatologists in their clinical practice, all advocacy efforts, oversaw the RISE rheumatology registry, and the development of clinical practice guidelines, criteria and quality measures. Rachel also has experience as a senior consultant in PwC’s health industries advisory group in Atlanta. In that role she served as a business strategy consultant for numerous hospitals and nonprofit healthcare organizations. Rachel earned her BA and MBA degrees at Emory University. She also earned an MPH certificate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
PANELISTS
V. Michael Holers, MD
President
V. Michael Holers, MD is Professor of Medicine and Immunology and Head of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado Dr. Holers was elected to membership in the ASCI in 1993 and the AAP in 2000; in 2008 he was the recipient of the ACR Basic Research Award and in 2017 was named an ACR Master. Dr. Holers has served as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council, inaugural Chair of the Division Directors Special Committee, Chair of the ACR Committee on Research, and as a member of the Boards of Directors of the ACR and Foundation. Dr. Holers received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and then undertook his medical training at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This was followed by a clinical rheumatology fellowship at the University of Colorado and postdoctoral work at Washington University. In 1986 he became an Assistant and then Associate Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at Washington University. In 1993 Dr. Holers moved to the University of Colorado as the first Smyth Professor of Rheumatology, and in 2000 became the Scoville Professor and Division Head.
Liana Fraenkel, MD, MPH
Vice President
After a 20-year career at Yale University, Dr. Fraenkel is now Director, Patient Centered Population Health Research, Berkshire Health Systems and remains Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Fraenkel’s research program has focused on improving our understanding both physician and patient decision-making and on developing methods to improve the quality of decision making for patients faced with complex decisions involving multiple options. She is now focused on building a population health research program to address some of the most pressing health problems in the region. Dr. Fraenkel is a grateful recipient of funding from the RRF and prior to becoming VP, enjoyed volunteering as scientific peer reviewer, member of the board, and SAC.
Stephen Russell, MBA
Chair, Impact Advisory Council
Steve Russell retired as Senior Vice President of People at McDonald's USA. In this role, Mr. Russell oversaw all aspects of human resources and training, learning and development for McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants. As part of McDonald's USA's senior leadership team, Mr. Russell actively participated in accelerating the company's growth, contributing to strategic direction and leading the talent management and succession planning processes. Mr. Russell joined McDonald's in 1996 as Director of Corporate Human Resources. In 1998, he became the Department Director of the HR Service Center and Global Technology Departments while also beginning his accelerated development program in McDonald's Field Human Resources. Mr. Russell serves on the 401k/profit sharing administration committee on behalf of McDonald's Board of Directors. Outside of McDonald's, Mr. Russell has served on Cornell Hospitality Research Advisory's board, and has served on the board of Disability Works. Born in Highland Park, Illinois, Mr. Russell received his Bachelor of Arts from Ohio State University and M.B.A. from the University of Dayton.