Dr. Desir Named as 87th President of The American College of Rheumatology

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recently named Deborah Dyett Desir, M.D., as its 87th president, marking a significant achievement as she becomes the first Black woman to hold this prestigious position in the organization's 90-year history. This milestone was announced during ACR Convergence 2023, the ACR's annual meeting.

Dr. Desir, an associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine and a practicing rheumatologist with over 30 years of experience, plans to focus her presidency on several key areas. These include promoting women in leadership roles within rheumatology, enhancing resources for members in smaller practices, advocating for increased research funding, and continuing the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the ACR's programs.

In addition to her remarkable career in rheumatology, Dr. Desir is a friend to the You Got This, Kid! Foundation. She serves on the board of directors at Quinnipiac University alongside Chuck Saia, who is the Quinnipiac University Board Chair and the foundation's founder.

Her dedication and commitment to the field of rheumatology are evident not only in her long-standing association with the ACR, where she has held various leadership roles, but also in her contributions as a medical educator and practitioner. Dr. Desir's appointment as president of the ACR is a testament to her exemplary career and her profound impact on the field.