A Grateful Patient’s Generosity: Craig Baskin’s Gift to Support Rheumatology Fellows

In a gesture of gratitude for the expert and compassionate care of his rheumatologist, Eric Ruderman, MD, Craig Baskin, PhD, ’86 MBA, pledged a generous gift of $100,000 to support fellowships in the Division of Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Baskin, who has psoriatic arthritis, came under the care of Dr. Ruderman, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology, in 2020 after being referred by Boston rheumatologist Michael Weinblatt, MD. Dr. Weinblatt supervised a young Dr. Ruderman early in his career, during his fellowship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in the early 1990s.

“His care is competent, attentive, and caring. You know, he’s what you want in a doctor,” Dr. Baskin said of Dr. Ruderman.

So, Dr. Baskin inquired about supporting the next generation of physicians treating arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Fellowships play a critical role in the rheumatology career path, Dr. Ruderman explained.

“Fellowship is a critical stage for trainees in our specialty, as this is when they begin to make the transition from general physician to rheumatologist,” he said. “At Northwestern, we encourage our fellows to include research and teaching in their future academic plans. Fellowship is the time when they find the particular areas of rheumatology that excite them enough to become a focus of their future careers.”

The Rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern not only equips trainees with the clinical skills needed to manage complex rheumatologic diseases but also fosters a culture of research and academic excellence. Fellows are encouraged to explore specific diseases or research areas of focus, laying the foundation for future academic careers supported by institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and various foundations.

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting these trainees. At Northwestern, institutional training grants, or T32 funds, from the NIH have supported fellows’ research for more than 24 years, allowing the division to support two to three fellows annually. The fellows complete a two-year curriculum focused on clinical experience, research, and medical education, with an optional third year for those embarking on a research career. However, T32 funds do not cover all costs, so the school relies on private philanthropic support for conference travel, additional research costs, and specialized third-year fellowships. While T32 funding benefits research-focused fellows, its restrictions make private support crucial.

“Philanthropy helps cover our fellows’ living expenses while they are focused on research and covers costs pertaining to the research itself, providing resources to pay for statistical and administrative support for their individual projects,” Dr. Ruderman said.

The Rheumatology fellowship program is led by Anisha Dua, MD, MPH, professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology.

For Dr. Baskin, the decision to support Rheumatology fellowships was driven by his positive experiences with Dr. Ruderman and his belief in the importance of accessible, high-quality medical care. He learned of the fundraising needs through a discovery luncheon attended by Dr. Ruderman and by Harris Perlman, PhD, chief of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine and the Mabel Greene Myers Professor of Medicine.

“The luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to share with Craig and others the remarkable research our Rheumatology faculty leads in our state-of-the-art labs and our partner clinical sites. Craig immediately recognized the impact of our fellowship program upon the future of rheumatologic care, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his support,” Dr. Perlman said.

Dr. Baskin, who holds three degrees, including an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, reflected on his career in the pharmaceutical industry and the opportunities he has had.

“I think it’s important that people have access to good medical care, and I think it’s important that we provide opportunities for young doctors to improve their skills and, to quote the US Army, to be the best they can be,” Dr. Baskin said. “I was fortunate, and Kellogg opened several doors, leading to a long and successful career and putting me in a position where I'm able to give back.”

Dr. Baskin said he hopes that his support for fellows will, ultimately, improve the outlook for patients like him.

“It’s an investment. It’s a gift that will pay off for years and years and years,” he said.

For more information about supporting the Division of Rheumatology, please contact MaryPat Mauro at marypat.mauro@northwestern.edu or 312-503-1090.