The Man Behind the Collection

As professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology there for over 27 years, Dr. Gerald P. Rodnan, MD, developed a program of arthritis research that has been rated by many of his peers as among the nation's most highly respected. He was considered a foremost world authority on progressive systemic sclerosis and related disorders.

Elected President of the American Rheumatism Association (the ARA became the American College of Rheumatology in 1989) in 1975, Dr. Rodnan was also an active member of the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Physicians.

As a researcher, scholar and writer, Dr. Rodnan published nearly 200 articles in the area of rheumatology, including 22 textbook chapters, in which he contributed important insights, particularly in the area of scleroderma.

Her served as editor of the Bulletin on the Rheumatic Diseases for 16 years and as a member of the Editorial Board of Arthritis and Rheumatism for 19 years. As editor in chief of the seventh and eighth editions of the Primer on Rheumatic Diseases, and co-editor of the ninth edition, Dr. Rodnan expanded that publication into a teaching tool with a worldwide reputation.

Dr. Rodnan is remembered by all that knew him not only for his brilliant leadership in medical education and research, but for his warmth, wit and tireless service.

The REF extends many thanks to the Rodnan family for allowing us to share his extensive collection of antique gout artwork with our supporters.