Shreveport, Louisiana – Thomas A. Pressly III, M.D. of Shreveport was awarded with the American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) Paulding Phelps Award during the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. The award is a reflection of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of rheumatology.
The ACR recognizes leading researchers, clinicians, mentors, and other professionals exhibiting superior commitment to the advancement of the field of rheumatology with the Awards of Distinction honors. The Paulding Phelps Award is awarded to a clinical rheumatologist for outstanding service to patients, community and the practice of medicine.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for my commitment to improving the health of children with rheumatic diseases,” said Dr. Pressly. “I am truly humbled to receive this award and to be recognized by the ACR as a distinguished rheumatologist.”
In 1988, Pressly entered private practice as an adult rheumatologist at Willis- Knighton Hospital. In 1992, he began volunteering his services as a rheumatologist at Shriners Hospital for Children. In 1993 he and his wife, Tracy, established a non-profit organization, Children and Arthritis. They created a summer camp to assist children with rheumatic disorders and their families. This program, Camp Jambalaya Jubilee, has attracted children and their families from seven states, empowering them through education, encouragement, and enjoyment to better deal with the frustrations that come when a child has a chronic illness.
To these families, Shreveport has become known as a “City of Hope.” Twenty -seven different pediatric rheumatologists and a host of local physicians, and health and educational professionals have served as staff at Camp Jambalaya Jubilee. In particular Pressly said, “the dedication of his family – wife, Tracy, and children Catherine Herring, and Thomas Pressly IV, and Dr. George Wolcott, Dr. Ryan Bicknell, Judge Maury Hicks as well as Willis-Knighton Hospital, the Demoiselle Club and the Krewe of Asclepius made the program possible.” In accepting this honor, he considers it to be a “group award,” recognizing not just him but the physicians, health professionals and volunteers who have dedicated time and resources for the Jambalaya Jubilee. He dedicates the award to the courageous children with rheumatic disorders and their families, especially, those whose lives were cut too short. In recent decades the dedication of physicians and scientists in rheumatology has tremendously improved the care of patients. Today, children with previously crippling disorders can attain their life goals. Some of the former campers of the Jambalaya Jubilee now have amazing careers as health professionals, computer engineers, and one even became a professional football player as a running back.
Contact Information:
Children And Arthritis
Attn: Sheri Rowell
P O Box 38328
Shreveport, La 71133