Arthritis Foundation Honors National Volunteer Award Winners at Pathways Conference
The Foundation’s annual meeting for volunteers inspires, empowers and spreads hope for the arthritis community while honoring some of its most dedicated members.
ATLANTA (March 31, 2025) — Nearly 400 arthritis patients, advocates, caregivers and health care professionals gathered for the Arthritis Foundation’s Pathways Conference, sponsored by Amgen and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Pathways is the Foundation’s largest annual volunteer conference, a place for passionate, dedicated volunteers to connect with each other and with experts and Arthritis Foundation leaders to rally and strategize next steps in the effort to conquer arthritis. The event also recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to support the arthritis community.
“We believe in the power of individuals to make a difference, and our national awards recognize those exceptional individuals who consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication to our mission in their own way,” says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO Steven Taylor. “They embody the spirit of service, inspiring all of us to create positive change in our own spheres of influence.”
Champion Awardees Go the Distance
The Foundation’s Champion Award is given to individual volunteers or volunteer groups. These volunteers lead fundraising efforts, build partnerships and champion arthritis-related activities in their communities.
Dr. Tonya Horton, Phil Angelo, Cristina Schaefer and Tim Clepper received Arthritis Foundation 2024-2025 Champion Awards.
Dr. Tonya Horton, a career educator and nonprofit executive, is a dedicated Arthritis Foundation volunteer and passionate advocate, balancing leadership roles locally in her home state of New Jersey and nationally. Dr. Horton shares her experience living with osteoarthritis and uses her platform to advocate for addressing health disparities, particularly the inequities she observed as a Black woman during her own health journey. Deeply involved in the Foundation for many years, Dr. Horton is the incoming chair of the New Jersey Local Leadership Board. On the national stage, Dr. Horton serves as the national Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair, a member of the national Patient Perspectives Panel and a Board of Directors member.
Phil Angelo of Illinois has been involved with the Kankakee Jingle Bell Run since its earliest days in 1990, and has chaired the event for more than 15 years. Despite personal challenges, including surgery and a joint replacement for his wife, Angelo’s dedication to the Arthritis Foundation and the Kankakee Jingle Bell Run remains unwavering, making a lasting impact on the event and the community. As a former journalist and editor, Angelo uses his local connections to promote the event in the press and across the community.
Cristina Schaefer of Houston has been an integral part of the Arthritis Foundation for over 15 years, serving as a leader, fundraiser, advocate and volunteer at both local and national levels. As Chair of the Houston Local Leadership Board Chair, she mentors staff, volunteers, fundraisers and team captains while leading her Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run team, No Rheum for Pain. Through her efforts, including contributions to the local Bone Bash event, Schaefer has raised over $50,000 for the Foundation’s mission.
Since 2001, Tim Clepper of California has been a dedicated leader and top fundraiser for the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. Each year, he devotes hundreds of hours preparing, co-chairing the leadership committee and personally training for the 525-mile ride with Team San Diego. As a Navy veteran and a psoriatic arthritis patient, Clepper is persistent in crushing a high fundraising goal each year, raising over $15,000 annually, and surpassing $20,000 in 2024.
Provider-Advocate Inspires Patients and Peers
The Pamela Massey Patient Partners Award honors a health care provider and/or allied health professional who has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving patient lives in their clinical practice and in the mission delivery work of the Arthritis Foundation. This award was presented to Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT. As an individual with osteoarthritis and as a health care provider who works with clients with arthritis, Dr. Wu’s understanding of the condition makes her a strong patient advocate. She volunteers her time in fundraising and advocacy for this important cause. Dr. Wu is now Chairman of the New York City Arthritis Foundation Local Leadership board.
The Foundation also presented its highest national volunteer award, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, and the Lee C Howley Senior and Junior Prizes for Research during the Pathways Conference.
Sponsor Corner
“At Amgen, we're proud to partner with the Arthritis Foundation and recognize the incredible volunteers who are dedicated to our shared mission of improving the lives of those living with gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis," said Michelle Carrillo, Associate Vice President, Patient Advocacy & Corporate Affairs at Amgen.
“We deeply appreciate the Arthritis Foundation’s partnership,” says Lisa French, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Collaborating with them has provided important insights into the needs of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis and other immunologic conditions, and we look forward to continuing our work together to drive meaningful change for patients and their care partners. We are honored to sponsor and attend the Pathways Conference and want to congratulate all the volunteers and Champion Awardees.”
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation has a mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation not only champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, but it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis.
“We believe in the power of individuals to make a difference, and our national awards recognize those exceptional individuals who consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication to our mission in their own way,” says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO Steven Taylor. “They embody the spirit of service, inspiring all of us to create positive change in our own spheres of influence.”
Champion Awardees Go the Distance
The Foundation’s Champion Award is given to individual volunteers or volunteer groups. These volunteers lead fundraising efforts, build partnerships and champion arthritis-related activities in their communities.
Dr. Tonya Horton, Phil Angelo, Cristina Schaefer and Tim Clepper received Arthritis Foundation 2024-2025 Champion Awards.
Dr. Tonya Horton, a career educator and nonprofit executive, is a dedicated Arthritis Foundation volunteer and passionate advocate, balancing leadership roles locally in her home state of New Jersey and nationally. Dr. Horton shares her experience living with osteoarthritis and uses her platform to advocate for addressing health disparities, particularly the inequities she observed as a Black woman during her own health journey. Deeply involved in the Foundation for many years, Dr. Horton is the incoming chair of the New Jersey Local Leadership Board. On the national stage, Dr. Horton serves as the national Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair, a member of the national Patient Perspectives Panel and a Board of Directors member.Phil Angelo of Illinois has been involved with the Kankakee Jingle Bell Run since its earliest days in 1990, and has chaired the event for more than 15 years. Despite personal challenges, including surgery and a joint replacement for his wife, Angelo’s dedication to the Arthritis Foundation and the Kankakee Jingle Bell Run remains unwavering, making a lasting impact on the event and the community. As a former journalist and editor, Angelo uses his local connections to promote the event in the press and across the community.Cristina Schaefer of Houston has been an integral part of the Arthritis Foundation for over 15 years, serving as a leader, fundraiser, advocate and volunteer at both local and national levels. As Chair of the Houston Local Leadership Board Chair, she mentors staff, volunteers, fundraisers and team captains while leading her Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run team, No Rheum for Pain. Through her efforts, including contributions to the local Bone Bash event, Schaefer has raised over $50,000 for the Foundation’s mission. Since 2001, Tim Clepper of California has been a dedicated leader and top fundraiser for the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. Each year, he devotes hundreds of hours preparing, co-chairing the leadership committee and personally training for the 525-mile ride with Team San Diego. As a Navy veteran and a psoriatic arthritis patient, Clepper is persistent in crushing a high fundraising goal each year, raising over $15,000 annually, and surpassing $20,000 in 2024.Provider-Advocate Inspires Patients and Peers
The Pamela Massey Patient Partners Award honors a health care provider and/or allied health professional who has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving patient lives in their clinical practice and in the mission delivery work of the Arthritis Foundation. This award was presented to Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT. As an individual with osteoarthritis and as a health care provider who works with clients with arthritis, Dr. Wu’s understanding of the condition makes her a strong patient advocate. She volunteers her time in fundraising and advocacy for this important cause. Dr. Wu is now Chairman of the New York City Arthritis Foundation Local Leadership board.
The Foundation also presented its highest national volunteer award, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, and the Lee C Howley Senior and Junior Prizes for Research during the Pathways Conference.
Sponsor Corner
“At Amgen, we're proud to partner with the Arthritis Foundation and recognize the incredible volunteers who are dedicated to our shared mission of improving the lives of those living with gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis," said Michelle Carrillo, Associate Vice President, Patient Advocacy & Corporate Affairs at Amgen.
“We deeply appreciate the Arthritis Foundation’s partnership,” says Lisa French, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Collaborating with them has provided important insights into the needs of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis and other immunologic conditions, and we look forward to continuing our work together to drive meaningful change for patients and their care partners. We are honored to sponsor and attend the Pathways Conference and want to congratulate all the volunteers and Champion Awardees.”
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation has a mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation not only champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, but it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis.
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