UPMC chief of rheumatology, Dana P. Ascherman, M.D., whose work extends far beyond the exam room, has been recognized with a national honor from the Arthritis Foundation for his commitment to patient advocacy and community engagement.
Dr. Dana Ascherman
Ascherman, also professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, has received the Pamela Massey Partners for Patients Award, the Arthritis Foundation’s highest physician honor. The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of advocacy by building meaningful connections with patients, elevating their stories and helping shape efforts that improve the lives of people living with arthritis.
“When I read the description of the award, it spoke to everything Dr. Ascherman does,” said Lara McCune of the Arthritis Foundation, who nominated Dr. Ascherman. “It’s more than being a clinician, it’s about showing up for patients and for our mission in very real ways.”
McCune said Dr. Ascherman is always there to help, whether it’s finding a last-minute speaker for an event or unloading supplies at a fundraiser. “He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty,” she said. “If there’s work to be done, he’s right there doing it.”
In addition to serving on the Arthritis Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania leadership board, Dr. Ascherman regularly supports patient education programs and community events and encourages fellow clinicians to get involved. McCune said his reliability sets him apart. “If I need something, he responds every single time,” she said.
An avid distance runner, Dr. Ascherman ran the New York City Marathon last year and Half Marathon this year on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation, raising funds and awareness for arthritis research and patient programs.
For Dr. Ascherman, advocacy is inseparable from the practice of rheumatology itself. “Unlike other specialties, you’re not focused on one body system or one organ,” he said. “Rheumatology is about treating the whole person, understanding how their condition affects their lives and helping connect them with resources that can really make a difference.”
Running, he noted, has given him a bit of extra empathy along the way. Years of distance training have left him with some “self-inflicted arthritis,” a reminder, he said, of what many of his patients experience daily.
The 2026 Pamela Massey Partners for Patients Award was presented at the Arthritis Foundation’s national conference, honoring Dr. Ascherman’s impact as a clinician, researcher, mentor and steadfast advocate for people living with arthritis.
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