Announcing the Marc R. Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, Lupus Research Memorial Fund

March 9, 2021

ATLANTA- The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. established the Marc R. Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, Lupus Research Memorial Fund at the Rheumatology Research Foundation (Foundation), effective March 1, 2021. This fund was established to honor the life and legacy of Marc Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, a pioneer and patient advocate in the field of lupus.

Dr. Chevrier completed his undergraduate work at Cornell, earning his BA in both Biology and Chemistry. He earned his PhD in Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and went on to complete his MD and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed a clinical research fellowship at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the National Institutes of Health before accepting a position with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 

He served on the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine before moving into Industry to advance clinical research and bring new treatments for lupus patients to market. He was intellectually curious and a lifelong learner, authoring dozens of scientific manuscripts throughout his career and receiving many awards and industry recognition for his contributions to the field. He was incredibly passionate about improving the care of patients with lupus and other autoimmune diseases and devoted his career to these pursuits. In addition to having an answer for everything, Marc was incredibly kind and generous, and was devoted to his loving family and many lifelong friends.

“The worldwide lupus and rheumatology communities lost a brilliant scientist, caring clinician, innovative educator, and passionate advocate with the recent passing of our dear friend Dr. Marc Chevrier. We are honored to partner with the Foundation to establish this fund in Marc’s name to support novel lupus research,” said Kathleen A. Arntsen, President & CEO of Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., “Marc was respected by all who knew him, but to those of us living with lupus, Papa Lupus was our hero; giving us strength and hope that better treatments were just around the corner.”

“My family and I deeply appreciate the kindness and generosity extended to us with the unexpected loss of Marc, our beloved husband and father,” said Diane Slentz Chevrier, “and we thank the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association for establishing the Marc R. Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, Lupus Research Memorial Fund and all who supported this effort.” “Although our hearts are broken, we take great comfort in knowing that Marc’s name and legacy as both an educator and visionary researcher will live on to inspire others in lupus research through this fund.”

“The Foundation extends our heartfelt condolences to the lupus community and Dr. Chevrier’s family on the immeasurable loss of this extraordinary man,” said Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE, executive director of the Foundation. “We are humbled by the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association’s generous commitment to support innovative research initiatives that improve the quality of life for those living with lupus.”

The Marc R. Chevrier, MD, PhD, FACR, Lupus Research Memorial Fund will support research in lupus funded within the Foundation’s preceptorships program. Preceptorships match students and residents with mentors within the rheumatology community to conduct meaningful research projects.

To contribute to the Fund, please visit https://www.rheumresearch.org/chevrier. For more information on the Foundation’s awards and grants program, or to apply, please visit the Foundation’s website at https://www.rheumresearch.org/awards-grants.

About the Rheumatology Research Foundation
As the largest private funding source for rheumatology research and training in the U.S. the Rheumatology Research Foundation is dedicated to providing funding for innovative ideas that advance treatment options, improve care, and impact the lives of the 54 million Americans living with rheumatic disease. In the most recent fiscal year, the Foundation distributed more than $11 million in grant awards focused on research, education, and workforce development within the field of rheumatology.

About the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
Founded in 1978, The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. (LADA) is a national patient-led organization that is dedicated to improving access to care and quality of life for people with lupus and allied diseases by wielding the patient voice as a catalyst to advance innovative advocacy, education, awareness and research initiatives and ensuring that the patient perspective is included and recognized as an equal stakeholder in the healthcare, regulatory and public policy arenas and across the research continuum.