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Every year, The Myositis Association (TMA) honors individuals and organizations whose dedication, innovation, and compassion make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by myositis. As part of our annual Heroes in the Fight celebration, we are proud to recognize the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Scleroderma, Vasculitis, and Myositis Center as the recipient of the 2026 Heroes in Healthcare Award.
Presented to a healthcare institution whose team excels in caring for people living with myositis, the Heroes in Healthcare Award recognizes excellence in patient care, education, support, and research. HSS exemplifies all of these qualities through its comprehensive approach to serving patients and families affected by this rare group of diseases.
Located in New York City, the HSS Scleroderma, Vasculitis, and Myositis Center has built a nationally recognized program that combines clinical expertise with cutting-edge research and extensive patient support services. The center provides an established infrastructure for clinical, translational, and basic research while also maintaining a strong commitment to educating patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader community.
What sets HSS apart is its holistic approach to care. In addition to expert medical treatment, patients have access to services designed to support their overall well-being, including fast-track scheduling for newly diagnosed patients, occupational therapy, nutrition services, buddy programs, and spiritual care. These resources help individuals and families navigate the challenges of living with a chronic, often complex disease.
A hallmark of the HSS program is its longstanding commitment to patient connection and support. The HSS Myositis Support Group, founded in 1997, was created in response to patients’ desire to connect with others facing the same diagnosis. Nearly three decades later, the group remains a vital resource, offering encouragement, education, and community for people living with myositis. TMA is especially proud of the strong connection between the HSS Myositis Support Group and TMA’s national support group network, reflecting a shared belief that no one should face myositis alone.
The award will be accepted during MyoCon 2026 by David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD, rheumatologist in the HSS Division of Rheumatology, and Suzan Fischbein, LCSW, Myositis Support Group Coordinator and Senior Social Work Coordinator II in the HSS Department of Social Work Programs. Together, they represent the multidisciplinary team whose dedication has helped make HSS a leader in myositis care.
Please join us in congratulating the Hospital for Special Surgery Scleroderma, Vasculitis, and Myositis Center, recipient of TMA’s 2026 Heroes in Healthcare Award. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at MyoCon 2026 and sharing their example of exceptional care with the entire myositis community.
The Heroes in Healthcare Award honors a healthcare institution whose team demonstrates excellence in caring for people with myositis.
Previous recipients include the Mayo Clinic’s Inflammatory Myositis Clinic and Neuromuscular Disease Division, Karolinska University Hospital, the ALS and Neuromuscular Center at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center.
