2026–27 Arthritis Champions Scholarship Winners 

By Anthony Williams | Sept. 14, 2026 

The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026–27 Arthritis Champions Scholarship winners. These 20 college students living with arthritis demonstrate their spirit of being Champions of Yes for our community, as well as a commitment to helping others.  

Abigail C., South Carolina: Abigail is a freshman at the University of South Carolina, where she is double majoring in political science and international relations with a minor in history. An honors student in the Law and Global Policy Development Program, she has developed a strong interest in law and legislative action and hopes to pursue a career in law. Diagnosed at age 6 with juvenile idiopathic oligoarthritis, Abigail has learned to embrace what makes her different while finding ways to help others. For the past 12 years, the Arthritis Foundation has been part of her journey, from serving as a Jingle Bell Run youth honoree to speaking on Capitol Hill as a Junior Ambassador. 

Abigail is the 2026–27 recipient of the Ann M. Palmer Award, named in honor of the Arthritis Foundation’s president and CEO from 2013 to 2022, who had a strong affinity for JA families and the Foundation’s work on their behalf. The award recognizes the scholarship recipient who earns the highest score for their essay describing their service and impact on the Arthritis Foundation and/or arthritis community. Abigail’s selection reflects her longstanding commitment to giving back and helping others affected by arthritis. 

Bailee A., Kentucky: Bailee is a freshman at Eastern Kentucky University majoring in elementary education. Diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and JIA-related uveitis at age 1, she later faced another autoimmune disease, adding new uncertainty and challenges to her medical journey. For eight years, she has supported the Arthritis Foundation through Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run events, serving as a Walk honoree and earning top fundraising team honors multiple times. She has also created two cookbooks, organized a motorcycle event and held community sales to raise funds for the Foundation. Bailee hopes to become an elementary school teacher who provides every child with a safe, supportive environment where they feel valued, capable and inspired. 

Dayna P., Illinois: Dayna is channeling the physical and emotional pain and loneliness she experienced as a young person of color with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis into a career focused on helping others. After a biologic cleared her severe psoriasis, developing psoriatic arthritis led to insurance battles over access to effective treatment and sparked her interest in arthritis advocacy and patient-informed research. She has also shared her experiences through Arthritis Foundation Connect Groups. Now a medical student at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Dayna is interested in complex medical dermatology and immune-mediated diseases that connect dermatology and rheumatology. She hopes to advance racial and economic justice in healthcare while meeting patients where they are, learning from their resilience and empowering them. 

Elizabeth F., New Jersey: Elizabeth was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at 18 months old and spent much of her childhood coping with weekly injections and the severe nausea they caused. At age 12, she tried stopping her medication, only to have the pain and swelling come rushing back. She eventually found strength and confidence through swimming. Elizabeth has remained actively involved with the Arthritis Foundation, raising funds through Walk to Cure Arthritis and serving as a national honoree. Sharing her story has helped her transform an experience that once felt isolating into an opportunity to connect with others. At Villanova University, she is majoring in economics with minors in organizational communication and counseling, preparing for a future career in the insurance industry. 

Estella L., Wisconsin: Estella was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 2 and has learned that the experiences of the past do not define who we become; how we respond and grow matters most. That perspective has helped her pursue a wide range of interests, including starting an all-female band, serving as a varsity softball captain for two years and participating in varsity choir. Estella has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation for more than 10 years, attending camp, sharing her story, serving as a Jingle Bell Run honoree and starting a fundraiser at her school. Now a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is majoring in environmental science. She hopes to connect environmental and climate issues with healthcare and medicine while working to improve both human and environmental health. 

Haley R., Iowa: Haley was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis during her freshman year of high school and was later diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. After attending a JA Family Summit, she was inspired to give back to the juvenile arthritis community. She has captained teams for two Walk to Cure Arthritis events, spoken with local lawmakers and used her experience with step-therapy barriers to advocate for policies that better support people with chronic disease. Haley is pursuing a career as a physician assistant/associate and has entered her first year at Yale School of Medicine. She hopes to provide exceptional patient care while advancing health equity, advocating for meaningful policy change and continuing to grow through education. 

Hannah N., Michigan: Hannah was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis before the age of 2, and the physical pain of the disease eventually became emotional pain and anger. With encouragement from her doctor, who became a mentor, she began taking control of her arthritis journey and immersing herself in both medicine and the pediatric arthritis community. That experience helped Hannah discover her calling as a physician and researcher. Now in her third year of medical school at Midwestern University–Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, she has remained active with the Arthritis Foundation as a local Walk to Cure Arthritis honoree and patient grant reviewer. Through Foundation events such as Jingle Bell Run, Hannah has also connected with others while helping educate people about pediatric arthritis. 

Isabella H., Ohio: Isabella was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age 6 and, two years later, learned that additional symptoms indicated juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Infusions and her first MRI were frightening experiences, but caring nurses helped make them less intimidating, inspiring Isabella to pursue a career caring for children. She is now studying nursing at Otterbein University with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Isabella remains deeply involved with the Arthritis Foundation through advocacy, speaking at events, volunteering at community education programs and supporting juvenile arthritis awareness and fundraising efforts. Her experiences have given her a powerful understanding of how compassionate healthcare can make a difference for children living with chronic disease. 

Jenna B., Nevada: Jenna has embraced softball since childhood despite living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. When a coach refused to let her train as a pitcher at age 7, she found another way and trained herself, ultimately becoming a pitcher on the Augustana College softball team. She also volunteers as a youth sports coach and is pursuing degrees in art and psychology with minors in sociology and anthropology. Jenna hopes to combine her passions for art, sports and advocacy to help people in need. She is also deeply involved with the Arthritis Foundation, serving on her state advocacy committee and working toward becoming a Platinum Ambassador. 

Katelyn M., Iowa: Katelyn grew up as an avid runner and dancer, but at age 17, taking a break from her activities brought worsening joint symptoms and fevers. After first being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and later with undifferentiated arthritis, she experienced anxiety and loneliness that shaped her professional goals. She is pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Montana, where her research has explored eating behaviors and body image concerns among people with juvenile arthritis. She has presented that work at an international conference and published a manuscript in an academic journal. Active in the juvenile arthritis community, Katelyn has volunteered at JA camps and serves on the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance mental health workgroup, with plans to pursue adolescent health and a career combining research, teaching and clinical practice. 

Kiersten W., Pennsylvania: Kiersten’s childhood experience with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis shaped her daily life and inspired her interest in medicine and rheumatology. She is studying biomedical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and plans to attend medical school. Her commitment to the juvenile arthritis community includes participating in Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run and Walk to Cure Arthritis events. She has also served as a pediatric rheumatology assistant and Children’s Hospital volunteer while contributing to the LinkedIn Arthritis Community & Online Connections as an engagement engineer and co-manager. Kiersten hopes to build a career that combines her passion for science and medicine with her commitment to helping people affected by arthritis. 

Lily L., Wisconsin: Lily was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age 6 and grew up watching her twin play sports and enjoy activities while she struggled to find a medication that effectively controlled her disease. She and her family have remained deeply involved with the Arthritis Foundation, with Lily helping organize Walk to Cure Arthritis logistics, speaking about arthritis on local television, planning JA Family Days and other events and mentoring other JA families. A dean’s list student at Marquette University, Lily discovered bioinformatics, a field that helps researchers better understand disease and accelerate the development of treatments and potential cures. She hopes to pursue a career in bioinformatics and help find a cure for children living with juvenile arthritis. Her experiences have fueled a commitment to turning her own challenges into hope for others. 

Marin M., Indiana: Marin was diagnosed with arthritis just before turning 2 and once resented the disease for keeping her from cheerleading and tennis. In high school, she became involved with the Arthritis Foundation and began meeting others facing similar challenges, helping her discover new ways to live well with arthritis. As a Jingle Bell Run honoree and volunteer at Walk to Cure Arthritis and other events, Marin found opportunities to connect with and support others in the arthritis community. She now serves on her local Jingle Bell Run planning committee and JA committee and remains an active Foundation participant. At Miami University in Ohio, Marin is majoring in biology and pre-health with the goal of becoming a pediatric genetic counselor. 

Neah M., Florida: Neah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during her sophomore year at the University of Florida, an experience that shifted her focus from what medicine could offer her to what she could offer others. Navigating uncertainty around symptoms and medications gave her a deeper understanding of what it means to suddenly become a patient whose life revolves around health. After graduation, Neah hopes to return to clinical settings while gaining research experience in neuroscience, chronic pain or a combination of the two. She has remained active in the arthritis community, serving as a camp counselor and participating in the Arthritis Foundation Young Adult Connect Group. She also gives back as a volunteer autoimmune team captain, using her experiences to support others facing chronic illness. 

Reagan S., Maryland: Reagan was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at age 14 and later developed severe temporomandibular disorder complications related to her arthritis. When she was advised to stop playing viola because it was worsening her condition, Reagan instead created an adaptive device to reduce tension on her jaw and allow her to continue playing. With rigorous therapy, she gained control of her symptoms and continued performing as principal violist. Now studying biomedical engineering at the University of Delaware, Reagan hopes to develop medical technologies and adaptive devices for patients whose needs fall outside standard designs. She also turns her lived experience into education, accessibility and advocacy projects, including an adaptive device initiative and an Etsy shop featuring spoon theory-themed jewelry whose profits benefit the Arthritis Foundation. 

Sapna P., New Jersey: Sapna struggled with pain in middle school and was originally misdiagnosed before receiving a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis during her junior year of high school. Her experiences led her to discover new passions, including teaching students how to code, painting, serving as Key Club president and joining her school’s cross-country team. After her diagnosis, Sapna quickly became an advocate for the arthritis community, serving as an active Arthritis Foundation Junior Ambassador and using social media to raise awareness. Now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, she is majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in ethics. She plans to pursue graduate study focused on the intersection of computing and medicine, bringing together her interests in technology, health and advocacy. 

Sarah C., Florida: Sarah was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 14 and has experienced days marked by joint pain and fatigue as well as many positive moments. At her first JA Family Summit, she found a supportive community of other teens with juvenile arthritis and formed lifelong friendships. Since then, she has remained committed to giving back through fundraising, advocacy, service on a gala committee and participation on the JA Family Summit young adult planning committee. Sarah is pursuing a Master of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Florida. She hopes to become a scientist working in research and development for a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company while continuing to serve the arthritis community. 

Sarah R., Indiana: Sarah was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at 22 months old and also lives with uveitis and hypermobility. She remains an active member of the juvenile arthritis community, participating in research studies through her Children’s Hospital’s rheumatology and ophthalmology departments and consistently advocating for others. She also brings people together by forming a team each year for the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis. Now attending Purdue University, Sarah is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a minor in management. Her commitment to research, advocacy and community involvement reflects her desire to make a difference for others living with chronic disease. 

Siena K., Washington: Siena was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis at age 8, and the experience changed her family and social dynamics while leaving her with a lasting sense of being different. Over time, she found connection and purpose through the Arthritis Foundation’s JA community. Siena serves as a Young Adult Connect Group facilitator, volunteers at summer camp for children with rheumatic diseases, participates in Jingle Bell Run fundraising and advocates consistently for the arthritis community. She is a freshman at Texas Christian University pursuing a degree in biology. With a long-term goal of entering medicine, Siena hopes to use her experiences to help others feel understood and supported. 

Tia B., California: Tia’s early life revolved around competitive figure skating, where she became a U.S. Figure Skating triple gold medalist, an eight-time Pacific Coast synchronized skating champion and a five-time national finalist. During her sophomore year of high school, fever, nausea and joint pain led to a hospital stay and a diagnosis of juvenile ankylosing spondylitis and a rare genetic variant, explaining years of back pain, fractures and exhaustion. Although the diagnosis ended her skating career, it fueled her determination to learn more about her conditions and the science behind them. Tia is majoring in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics with the goal of becoming a genetic researcher. She also stays involved with the Arthritis Foundation through the California state advocacy committee and Jingle Bell Run. 

The 2027–28 Arthritis Champions Scholarships application process will open in early January 2027. This program is generously funded by the Walter J. and Kathryn M. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Elizabeth Hofert-Dailey Trust and the Dr. Smriti Bardhan College Scholarship Fund.