Thomas A. Medsger Jr., M.D., Gerald P. Rodnan Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, received the Scleroderma Foundations Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his service to the scleroderma community. The award is the foundations highest honor and is presented to individuals who have devoted a minimum of 20 years of service, either as a volunteer or professional, to the scleroderma community.

Scleroderma a disease that causes the tissue in the skin, joints and internal organs to thicken affects approximately 300,000 people in the United States. Dr. Medsger served as chief of the University of Pittsburghs Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, and director of the Scleroderma Research Program and UPMCs Scleroderma Clinic. His primary clinical and investigative interest is in scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases.

In 2001 and 2005, Dr. Medsger was the recipient of the Scleroderma Foundations Doctor of the Year award. He also has been designated as one of the Best Doctors in America by American Health Magazine for the past two decades and was the recipient of the American College of Rheumatologys Distinguished Rheumatologist Award. Recently, he had the title of “Master” conferred upon him by the American College of Rheumatology a title awarded to members of high professional competence, ethics and moral standing who have significantly furthered the science of rheumatology.

Dr. Medsger also received the Deans Master Educator Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Six of his former trainees have developed scleroderma research and patient care programs at other institutions.

Dr. Medsger currently serves as the Scleroderma Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapters treasurer and interim president. He has written numerous articles for the Foundations Voice magazine and has published more than 300 journal articles about scleroderma and related diseases.

Dr. Medsger received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, a residency at UPMC Presbyterian and postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Tennessee College of Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College. Dr. Medsger joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1971.