Arthritis Foundation Celebrates Outstanding Volunteers 

ATLANTA (March 31, 2026) — Nearly 400 arthritis patients, advocates, caregivers and health care professionals gathered in Seattle, March 27-28, for the Arthritis Foundation’s Pathways Conference. The Foundation’s largest annual volunteer conference, Pathways is a place for passionate, dedicated volunteers to connect with arthritis experts, Arthritis Foundation leadership and staff to rally and strategize next steps in the effort to conquer arthritis. The event also recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to support the arthritis community and advance the fight to help conquer arthritis. 

The 2026 conference in Seattle honored outstanding volunteers whose service made a meaningful impact over the past year. The Arthritis Foundation presented the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, along with the 2025–2026 Champion Awards, recognizing excellence in volunteer leadership. The event also celebrated key milestones achieved in 2025, reflecting the collective efforts of volunteers nationwide. 

Award recipients are selected through a national review process that recognizes commitment, initiative and lasting contributions to the Foundation’s work. 

“We’ve been so fortunate to have such caring, dedicated and passionate volunteers,” says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO Steven Taylor. “These awards celebrate the individuals whose generosity of time, talent and spirit inspires all of us and strengthens the communities we serve.” 

Charles B. Harding Award

Distinguished scientist, physician and longtime volunteer, Andrew Chan, MD, PhD, is the recipient of the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, the highest national volunteer recognition from the Arthritis Foundation.

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. Dr. Chan has brought that expertise to his volunteer leadership with the Arthritis Foundation since he joined the Foundation’s Northern California board in 2023, helping strengthen the organization at both the local and national levels. 

Dr. Chan has championed rheumatology 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. Through his generosity, insight and steadfast commitment, Dr. Chan has helped translate the Arthritis Foundation’s mission into meaningful progress for millions.

Champion Awards

The Arthritis Foundation’s Champion Awards are given to individual volunteers or volunteer groups. These volunteers lead fundraising efforts, build partnerships and champion arthritis-related activities within their community. In 2026, there were three deserving winners of the Champion Awards. 

Patrick Edgar, of New York City, is a dedicated volunteer and advocate whose involvement with the Arthritis Foundation spans more than 20 years. Inspired by his daughter’s juvenile arthritis diagnosis, Patrick and his family have led major fundraising efforts, including top participation in Jingle Bell Run and gala events, raising more than $100,000. A local leadership board member and corporate leader at KPMG, he has also provided key guidance in strengthening partnerships, workplace initiatives and financial stability. 

Gina Schell, DO, of Tampa, Florida, is a physician leader and longtime volunteer whose personal experience with lupus and her daughter’s juvenile arthritis diagnosis fuels her commitment to the mission. A former local leadership board chair and current national board member, Dr. Schell has led fundraising teams, launched new events and strengthened sponsor engagement. Through roles on JA, Jingle Bell Run and event committees, she continues to expand support for families living with arthritis. 

Anne McKinnon, of Denver, Colorado, is a passionate volunteer leader whose involvement began after losing her sister-in-law to rheumatoid arthritis. She founded Team LJ in her memory, building one of the nation’s top Jingle Bell Run teams while raising significant funds and partnerships for the mission. As Colorado Jingle Bell Run chair and local leadership board member, Anne mentors volunteers, builds community support and helps expand the Foundation’s reach through multiple events. 

Pamela Massey Patient Partners Award

The Pamela Massey Patient Partners Award honors a health care provider and/or allied health professional who has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving patient lives in their clinical practice and in the mission delivery work of the Arthritis Foundation. 

This award was presented to Dana Ascherman, MD, chief of rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a committed partner in advancing the Arthritis Foundation’s mission. Known for patient-centered care, he connects patients with Arthritis Foundation education, programs and support. A longtime local leadership board member, Dr. Ascherman volunteers with Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run and encourages colleagues to support the Foundation. His leadership strengthens the connection between clinical care and community support for people living with arthritis. 

Lee C. Howley Senior & Junior Prizes for Arthritis Research

Honoring physician-scientists is a longstanding Arthritis Foundation tradition. At our 2026 Pathways Conference, the Arthritis Foundation presented the Lee C. Howley Senior Prize for Arthritis Scientific Research ($10,000) to Dr. Elaine Husni, and the Lee C. Howley Junior Prize for Early Career Investigators in Arthritis Research ($5,000) to Dr. Mileka Gilbert. Both were honored not only for their significant arthritis-related research but also their exceptional commitment to volunteer work. 

Elaine Husni, MD, MPH, is vice chair in the Department of Rheumatic & Immunologic Diseases at Cleveland Clinic. There, she leads clinical programs and translational research focused on immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Her work advances precision medicine and patient-reported outcomes to improve treatment response and long-term care. A recipient of an Arthritis Foundation Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Program grant, Dr. Husni has also served the Foundation for many years through medical and scientific initiatives, fundraising events and patient education programs, helping strengthen collaboration among researchers, clinicians and the arthritis community. 

Mileka Gilbert, MD, PhD, is a pediatric rheumatologist at the Medical University of South Carolina whose research focuses on improving outcomes for children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Through leadership in quality improvement and implementation science, she works to enhance both physical and mental health care for young patients. An active Arthritis Foundation volunteer, Dr. Gilbert has served on national advisory groups, helped lead diversity and community health initiatives, reviewed research grants and supported fundraising events, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing research and care. 

 About the Arthritis Foundation  
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation’s #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation empowers people to live their best lives while relentlessly pursuing a cure. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.