Endowment Helps Train Future Rheumatologists By Jackie Denton A newly funded endowment honors two rheumatologists and longtime faculty members of the Division of Connective Tissue Disease (Rheumatology) in the College of Medicine. The Andrew H. Kang/Stanley B. Kaplan Fellowship in Rheumatology Endowment is now fully funded, thanks to generous gifts from Dr. Kang; Sue Kaplan, Dr. Kaplan’s widow; and Dr. Michael Cremer, a colleague of Drs. Kang and Kaplan; as well as support from many other colleagues and friends. The fund will benefit students who are pursuing a subspecialty in rheumatology and who demonstrate success in academic and research performance. Students who hold the Kang/Kaplan Rheumatology Fellowship will have the distinction of being called Kang/Kaplan Fellows and will have preference in receiving funding in subsequent years. “The College of Medicine is grateful for the generosity of the Kang and Kaplan families as well as all those who made the Andrew H. Kang/Stanley B. Kaplan Fellowship in Rheumatology Endowment possible,” said College of Medicine Dean Scott Strome, MD. “I’m excited that this endowment will be used to support the education and training of future rheumatologists and grow the fantastic legacy built by Dr. Kang and Dr. Kaplan.” Both Drs. Kang and Kaplan are recognized as role models for their mentorship of countless trainees in the field of medicine and rheumatology. Andrew Kang, MD, Goodman Professor of Medicine, professor emeritus of MedicineRheumatology, and director of the Research Center of Excellence for Diseases of Connective Tissue, was recruited to UTHSC in 1972 as a professor and chief of Rheumatology for the Memphis VA Medical Center. He is credited with leading a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the discovery of processes of disease 22
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in autoimmune disorders, advancing the knowledge of collagen molecules, most notably types I, II, and III collagens. His work led to the development of several immunotherapies in treating autoimmune arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Dr. Kang is a 1962 magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Medical School. His work is cited in more than 24,000 scientific and clinical journals. For recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and education, he received numerous awards and honors including Master by the American College of Rheumatology, the Founders Medal by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, the William Middleton Award, the highest research award bestowed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Ho Am Award in Medicine, known as the “South Korean Nobel Prize.” Stanley B. Kaplan, MD, joined the faculty at UTHSC in 1961 with continuous service to the university until three weeks before his death in 2008. Patients from across the country traveled to receive treatment for arthritis from Dr. Kaplan. He was honored with numerous awards including the Tennessee Rheumatology Society’s first President’s Award; the Memphis Business Journal Health Care Heroes Award in 2006; the Myron Halle Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Foundation, and the Bernard J. Alper, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arthritis Foundation. Dr. Kaplan was highly esteemed and was named by Memphis Magazine in its Top Docs listing, a peer-ranked list, consistently throughout his career. Dr. Kaplan is a 1954 graduate of the UTHSC College of Medicine and served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of captain. To give to the fund visit: giving.uthsc.edu/give