2025 Global Myositis Patient Conference
September 18–21, 2025
Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Dallas, TX, US
Heroes in the Fight is a celebration of leadership, resilience, science, and care in myositis. 2025 marks the fourth annual event hosted by TMA to celebrate the strength of our patient community. We also pay tribute to the dedicated researchers making progress in myositis. Finally, we recognize the myositis experienced clinicians providing extraordinary care to families affected by this rare collection of diseases.
This special gala takes place during TMA’s 30th MyoCon (separate tickets required with $75 registration/donation). Stay tuned as we share more details on the outstanding individuals and institutions who will be applauded for their efforts to achieve a world without myositis.
Not sure what to wear? Embrace the celebration! Whether you prefer stylish cocktail attire or elegant formal wear, choose what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Reception and Dinner beginning at 6:00pm CT
THESE ARE OUR HEROES
Tri Bourne
Patient Ambassador Award
Professional Beach Volleyball Player
Podcast Host and Broadcaster
Tri Bourne is an elite beach volleyball pro who lives with dermatomyositis and has played on the U.S. national team for ten years. Tri is the co-host of beach volleyball’s most popular podcast, SANDCAST, and also commentates for beach volleyball coverage. Among Tri’s athletic accolades:
- AVP Rookie of the Year in 2013
- FIVB Rookie of the Year in 2014
- AVP Team of the Year in 2015
- Bronze medal at the World Tour Finals in 2016
- Alternate at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
- Sidelined for two years while battling back from his myositis diagnosis
- 9th place at 2020/21 Olympic Games in Toyko
- Won Manhattan Beach Open in 2021 and 2022
- AVP MVP in 2022 and the Team of the Year.
TMA’s Myositis Heroes in the Fight Patient Ambassador Award is annually presented to an individual that has demonstrated sustained effort and extraordinary success raising awareness of myositis diseases among the public.
Victoria P. Werth, MD
Heroes in Research Award
Professor of Dermatology and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Chief of the Division of Dermatology, Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Heroes in Research Award is presented to an investigator who has demonstrated significant commitment to and progress toward improving our understanding of myositis diseases through innovative research.
Mayo Clinic
Heroes in Healthcare Award
Inflammatory Myositis Clinic, Department of Rheumatology and Neuromuscular Disease Division, Department of Neurology
Rochester, Minnesota
The Heroes in Healthcare Award is presented to a healthcare institution with teams of healthcare providers that excel in caring for those who live with myositis.
The award will be accepted by Drs. Floranne C. Ernste, Margherita Milone, and Elie Naddaf with special recognition to Dr. Steven R. Ytterberg.
Nancy Harber and Rhonda Rogers
Marianne Moyer Myositis Leader Award
La Mesa, California and San Diego, California
The Marianne Moyer Myositis Leader Award recognizes TMA volunteers who lead the way in our myositis community by helping others. Marianne helped TMA create the Keep In Touch (KIT) groups, mentored many emerging support and affinity groups, and served in leadership roles including TMA Board of Directors Chair. Read a tribute to Marianne on TMA’s blog.
Donate in Honor of Our Awardees
THANK YOU
We are grateful to Abcuro for partnering with TMA to pay tribute to the individuals and families affected by myositis. Pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of assistive devices and medical equipment, nonprofits, and other partners are invited to sponsor our signature gala!
With Heroes in the Fight Sponsorship at $5,000, you will support the best of our community while increasing visibility of your organization. Sponsors receive a hosted table for 8 and recognition in press release, gala program, signage, and other channels.