Pathways
Volume 5 • Issue 2 • February 2016 • Rheumatology Research Foundation
Accountability Backed By Ratings
The Rheumatology Research Foundation recently received its seventh consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, an honor attained by only two percent of charities. The prestigious 4-star rating is based on good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“This high rating reflects our dedication to ensuring that every donation goes directly toward research on rheumatic disease and training of rheumatology professionals," says executive director of the Foundation Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE.
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 Charity Navigator is America's largest independent charity evaluator.
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Charity Navigator works to help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing information on more than 5,000 charities nationwide and by evaluating their financial health. It calculates each charity’s score based upon several broad criteria, including how much is spent per dollar raised, what percentage of funds goes to programs versus administrative and fundraising expenses, and the organization’s long-term financial health. It then assigns a rating from one to four, with four being the best rating.
“Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way,” says Michael Thatcher, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. “Only two percent of the charities we rate have received at least seven consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that the Rheumatology Research Foundation outperforms most other charities in America.”
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There are many ways to give to the Rheumatology Research Foundation, and all support the Foundation’s work to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases. In this “How I Give” series, we will feature the rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals, patients, family, and friends who are essential to the Foundation’s work. Please visit the ways to give page to learn more about how you can get involved with the Foundation, or share your story by emailing us.
How I Give: Norman B. Gaylis, MD
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 Dr. Gaylis's $1 million commitment established an award that will allow practicing rheumatologists to conduct research.
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Norman B. Gaylis, MD, is the first practicing rheumatologist to make a $1 million commitment to the Rheumatology Research Foundation. His contribution established the Norman B. Gaylis, MD, Research Award for Rheumatologists in Community Practice. This new award supports rheumatologists in community-based practices who, in addition to their active patient care, want to test their own observations and ideas through innovative research. Dr. Gaylis believes the award will benefit patients by stimulating new thought and creativity.
“Dr. Gaylis has made an extraordinary impact on the Foundation and its work to improve the health of people living with rheumatic disease,” says executive director of the Foundation Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE. “This award is unique in that it allows practicing rheumatologists – those who have developed strong relationships with their patients – an opportunity to study trends and patterns that might not be visible to investigators in a lab."
Dr. Gaylis is an active supporter of the Foundation and has served as an ambassador for the Campaign Leadership Council. With more than 34 years of experience in medicine, Dr. Gaylis is currently a rheumatologist at Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Specialties in Aventura, Florida.
This past year, Dr. Gaylis was inducted onto the Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors, an honor reserved for individuals who have made a transformative contribution, either through monetary support and/or act of leadership.
Click here to view a video that highlights Dr. Gaylis's extraordinary commitment.