Pathways
Volume 5 • Issue 1 • January 2016 • Rheumatology Research Foundation
New President for a New Year
 Eric Matteson, MD, president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation |
Eric L. Matteson, MD, professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, is taking over as president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
With more than 25 years of experience in his field, Dr. Matteson is currently the chair of rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic. He conducts research into the impact of rheumatoid arthritis and new treatments for the disease. Much of his work is focused on studying treatment options to best manage the increased risk of heart disease among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Matteson has also been deeply involved with the American College of Rheumatology, serving on a number of ACR committees. As chair of the Committee on Communications and Marketing, Dr. Matteson was instrumental in the launch of the ACR’s Simple Tasks campaign to raise public awareness of the struggle many people with rheumatic diseases undergo to perform simple tasks.
As president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation, Dr. Matteson will be charged with ensuring the Foundation is focused on advancing patient care and accelerating discoveries in rheumatic disease. Dr. Matteson will serve as President of the Foundation’s board of directors until November 2017. His leadership is preceded by David R. Karp, MD, PhD, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
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: James R. O'Dell, MD
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 James O'Dell, MD treating a patient at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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James R. O’Dell, MD, served as president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation from 2006-2007. Under his leadership, the Foundation embarked on a $30 million Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis campaign. The first-ever campaign sparked an era for extraordinary growth at the Foundation.
“The Within Our Reach campaign was critical for the Foundation and for rheumatology in general. It supports not only research, but it supports academic divisions of rheumatology, which is where all rheumatologists are trained,” says Dr. O’Dell.
Dr. O’Dell and his wife, Deborah, were also among the first members of the Foundation’s Founder’s Circle, an elite group of supporters that have committed more than $25,000, as well as the Foundation’s Legacy Society.
“When many thought it could not be done, Dr. O’Dell led the Foundation with a conviction that significant change was possible,” says Mary Wheatley, Executive Director of the Foundation. “With this bold leadership, the Foundation entered a new era of growth and has significantly increased its capacity to fund research and training to advance treatment and care for those living with rheumatic diseases. Dr. O'Dell had the vision to establish the Foundation's innovative research programs while also increasing the Foundation's commitment to recruitment, education and training, and career development. He continues to be an advocate for increased support for rheumatology research and training, and has built a legacy of leadership that continues to serve the Foundation.”
Dr. O’Dell is the William Bruce Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine, vice-chairman of internal medicine and chief of the section of rheumatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. He also has served as director of the internal medicine residency training program at UNMC for the last 31 years where he has directed the training of over 700 new doctors.
Dr. O’Dell is a member of 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. O’Dell’s extraordinary contributions to the Rheumatology Research Foundation.