Rheumatology Research Foundation Announces New Endowment to Support Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowships
The Audrey M. Nelson, MD Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Endowment addresses the growing demand for pediatric rheumatologists
ATLANTA — The Rheumatology Research Foundation has received a major donation from Audrey M. Nelson, MD, a retired rheumatologist from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Audrey M. Nelson, MD Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Endowment in Training supports awards aimed at providing robust education and training opportunities for pediatric rheumatologists. This generous donation addresses the growing demand for pediatric rheumatologists to ensure children with rheumatic diseases have access to the care they need.
Dr. Nelson was a consultant in internal medicine and adult and pediatric rheumatology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN and is Emeritus Professor of Medicine in Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Her contributions to the field are multifaceted. She is one of the very early pediatric rheumatologists and has made contributions in education, research, clinical practice and administration.
“My interest in pediatric rheumatology started during my residency which prompted a three-month stay in England observing and learning about the care of children with rheumatic diseases. At that time there wasn't much in the way of pediatric rheumatology at Mayo Clinic, or elsewhere, so I started seeing pediatric patients and with demonstrated positive outcomes the practice gradually evolved. I felt that there was a need, and I enjoyed the children. I was learning as I was doing,” said Dr. Nelson. “The Foundation is a tremendous vehicle for us as rheumatologists to further our work in a way we couldn't otherwise through another mechanism. The Foundation is very effective at gathering funds in order to support underserved segments of the specialty. The growth of these opportunities has been amazing and I’m honored to support future opportunities for pediatric rheumatology.”
The Audrey M. Nelson, MD Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Endowment in Training is part of the Foundation’s Education and Training Awards Portfolio. As a whole, these awards help to cultivate future generations of adult and pediatric rheumatology professionals and ensure people with rheumatic diseases have access to the care they need.
The Foundation is excited to announce the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as the first recipient of the Audrey M. Nelson, MD Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Endowment in Training. “We are honored to be the first recipient of this award,” said Sandy Burnham, MD, MSCE, attending physician in the Division of Rheumatology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the rheumatology fellowship training program director. “This is an investment in the future of pediatric rheumatology and the funds will bolster the development of collaborative clinical care expertise, and foster independent basic science, translational and clinical investigation.”