Rheumatology Research Foundation Receives $1 Million Donation For Physician-Driven Medical Research

ATLANTA, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rheumatology Research Foundation has received a $1 million donation from practicing rheumatologist, Dr. Norman B. Gaylis, to fund physician-driven medical research through the establishment of the Norman B. Gaylis, MD Research Award for Rheumatologists in Community Practice.

Dr. Gaylis is an active member of the Rheumatology Research Foundation and has served as an ambassador for the Campaign Leadership Council.  He is recognized as one of the country's leaders in the field of rheumatology, practicing medicine in the greater Miami area for more than 34 years. He believes strongly in the benefits of clinicians in research and the importance of making an investment in the field of rheumatology.

The establishment of this award is a career-long goal realized, as it will be used to support rheumatologists in community-based practices who, in addition to their active patient care, want to test their own observations and ideas through innovative research.

"Simply put, I created this award to benefit patients who suffer from rheumatic diseases. I feel very strongly that practicing rheumatologists have day-to-day exposure and relationships with patients that allows them to notice trends and nuances that regular researchers might not have yet they usually don't have access to funding," said Dr. Gaylis. "In my career, I have been both fortunate and frustrated. Fortunate because I've been in practice for nearly 40 years. Frustrated because I struggled to get support for ideas I had - not because they weren't worthwhile, but because funding wasn't available. So many rheumatologists deserve that opportunity and I'm trying to stimulate new thought and creativity and attract some of the unsung heroes in rheumatology."  

Rheumatologists will be able to apply for the Norman B. Gaylis, MD Research Award for Rheumatologists in Community Practice beginning in 2016, with the first award granted in 2017. Dr. Gaylis hopes his investment serves as a message to colleagues to "give back to what's made you who you are." With this additional research funding, Dr. Gaylis hopes to influence rheumatology's future and ultimately, improve the lives of patients around the world.

About the Rheumatology Research Foundation

The Rheumatology Research Foundation is the largest private funding source of rheumatology research and training programs in the U.S.  Established in 1985, the Foundation is focused on advancing patient care and accelerating discoveries in rheumatic diseases. For more information, visit http://www.rheumatology.org/Foundation.

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SOURCE Rheumatology Research Foundation