With a Serious Lack of Pediatric Rheumatologists to Treat Children, Expansion
of This Program Promises to Help Treat Children and Teenagers Struck With
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX)
contributed $1 million to endow the American College of Rheumatology's
Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Program, the ACR announced
today. The ACR's Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Program helps
address an alarming lack of pediatric rheumatologists to help treat more than
100,000 children and teenagers struck with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and
other rheumatic diseases.
"Currently, one-third of all U.S. medical schools do not have a pediatric
rheumatology program," said Joseph D. Croft, Jr., MD, president of the ACR.
"As a results, medical students, pediatric and other primary care residents,
and internal medicine and rheumatology fellows have no access to structured
clinical teaching about one of the most common families of childhood chronic
disease. Because of the small numbers of fully accredited pediatric
rheumatologists, up to two-thirds of all children with rheumatic disease
receive their rheumatic disease care from pediatricians, other specialists or
adult rheumatologists."
In its first two years of existence, the ACR/Immunex Pediatric
Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Program received an overwhelming response,
with more than 100 professors and institutions applying to be part of the
program, Dr. Croft said.
The Immunex contribution in support of the program enables it to operate
and grow indefinitely. The new Immunex endowment guarantees that the ACR may
continue to fulfill the original mission of the program: to ensure that all
children with rheumatic disease have optimal health care by providing medical
professionals with adequate knowledge and experience in pediatric
rheumatology.
"We are proud of our partnership with the ACR on this and other important
program," stated Peggy Phillips, COO of Immunex Corporation. "Knowing that we
are helping children and families in need of advanced care in the area of
rheumatology is especially gratifying. We hope to set a growing standard among
our industry with our investment and support of programs like this."
Created in 1998 by the ACR and funded for an initial three-year period by
Immunex Corporation, the Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Program
was developed in response to the need for educational opportunities for
medical students and residents in institutions where there is no established
pediatric rheumatology expertise. The curriculum of the two- to three-day
program, presented by outstanding teachers who are pediatric rheumatologists,
is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of common pediatric rheumatic
diseases.
The American College of Rheumatology is the professional organization for
rheumatologists and health professionals who share a dedication to healing,
preventing disability and curing arthritis and related rheumatic and
musculoskeletal diseases.
Immunex Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving
lives through immune system science innovations.
SOURCE Immunex Corporation
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CONTACT:
Kelley Sheahan of Immunex Corporation,
404-633-3777, or ksheahan@rheumatology.org
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