Andrew Chan, MD, PhD, Receives Top Honors 

By Anthony Williams | March 28, 2026 

For 50 years, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service has been the highest level of national volunteer recognition from the Arthritis Foundation. The award was established in 1976 in honor of one of the Foundation’s most well-known chairs, a nationally regarded philanthropist. 

This year’s deserving Harding Award honoree at the 2026 Pathways Conference was Andrew Chan, MD, PhD — a distinguished scientist, physician and longtime volunteer whose leadership has helped advance the Arthritis Foundation’s mission nationwide. 

Recently retiring from Genentech as senior vice president of research biology, Dr. Chan led teams focused on discovering new treatments for serious diseases. He is co-inventor of ocrelizumab, a therapy that has transformed care for people living with multiple sclerosis. Trained as both a physician and a scientist, Dr. Chan earned his MD and PhD from Washington University School of Medicine after studying chemistry at Northwestern University. His career has centered on understanding the immune system and the role it plays in autoimmune disease. 

For more than two decades, Dr. Chan has brought that expertise to his volunteer leadership with the Arthritis Foundation. Since joining the Northern California board in 2003, he has helped strengthen the organization at both the local and national levels. 

Recognizing the urgent need for more rheumatology specialists, Dr. Chan has championed workforce development efforts to train the next generation of physicians — expanding access to expert care for people living with arthritis. As a member of the Foundation’s national Scientific Discovery Advisory Committee, he has helped guide research investments toward the most promising pathways for better treatments and, ultimately, cures. 

In Northern California, Dr. Chan’s leadership of the Medical and Scientific Committee has supported research internships for emerging scientists, elevated educational programming like the annual Knowles Lecture and strengthened the local Walk to Cure Arthritis. 

Through his generosity, insight and steadfast commitment, Dr. Chan has helped translate the Arthritis Foundation’s mission into meaningful progress for millions. We’re proud to recognize him as the recipient of the 2025 Harding Award for Distinguished Service. 

See previous Harding Award winners.