The mission of the Ira T. Fine Discovery Fund is to end suffering caused by arthritis and inflammatory diseases, through supporting innovative research into these diseases.
Dr. Ira Fine has dedicated his career to the clinical care of patients with arthritis and inflammatory disease. He has been a key member of the Johns Hopkins Division of Rheumatology since 1980. Dr. Fine recognizes that a key element for success in achieving this mission is successful collaboration between outstanding clinicians and the very best academic team. Ira’s longtime wish has been to develop a Fund that would spark novel and innovative
research to cure these diseases. He knows Hopkins is the ideal place for this to happen. Johns Hopkins Rheumatology, ranked as the nation’s #1 program in Rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report for the past 6 years, houses many of the world’s experts in Rheumatology, and has trained numerous leaders in the field over the past 50 years.
Arthritis and autoimmune diseases affect more than 1 in 10 Americans of all ages, and have major effects on well-being and productivity. The causes and therapies of many of these diseases are not yet clear, and there is a major need for research in this area to impact patient outcomes and quality of life. The Ira T. Fine Discovery Fund was initiated in mid-2007 through a generous gift of an anonymous donor, in honor of Dr. Fine. The fund supports new investigation into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis and therapies of arthritis and inflammatory diseases.
The fund provides young investigators the resources and opportunity to pursue innovative research, in the context of the highly successful and interactive Johns Hopkins Rheumatology Research Program. The environment is exceptionally rich with expertise and infrastructure, which greatly leverages investments in the Ira Fine Discovery fund.
Together we can bring Ira’s vision of sustaining a successful Hopkins program and moving toward our goal of a cure for these common, complex and often devastating diseases.
