Delaware County Physician Receives Top Honor from American College of Rheumatology

Dr. Martin Jan Bergman of Media, Pa., was honored with the designation of Master by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) during ACR Convergence, the ACR’s annual meeting. Recognition as a Master is one of the highest honors that the College bestows on its distinguished members.

The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students, and the rheumatology profession. Honorees have devoted their careers to furthering rheumatology research and improving clinical standards in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the American College of Rheumatology for my work in the field of rheumatology and patient care,” said Dr. Bergman. “It is humbling to receive this designation and join the ranks of many distinguished rheumatologists.”

ACR Masters must be highly accomplished individuals. Evidence of their achievements can come from many types of endeavors and honors, such as research, education, health care initiatives, volunteerism, and administrative positions. The Master must be distinguished by the excellence and significance of his or her contributions to the science and art of rheumatology.

Dr. Bergman received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1982, after beginning his studies at the University of L’Aquila, Italy.  He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Rheumatology Fellowship at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, studying under Dr. Warren Katz, Dr. Ralph Schumacher and Dr. Bruce Hoffman.  Dr. Bergman has worked as a solo practitioner since 1987, while maintaining his academic medicine position as a clinical rheumatology teacher, eventually attaining the rank of Clinical Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.  For the body of his work, Dr. Bergman was elected as a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, America’s oldest medical society.

As a practicing clinician, Dr. Bergman became aware of the problems involved in running a successful practice including medical coding and reimbursement issues, the limits of available medications, the difficulty in assessing clinical responses to treatment, and the absence of quantitative measures for clinical response.  Recognizing these issues, he participated in multiple clinical trials to develop new therapies for RA and other inflammatory conditions.  Collaborating with others, he played an instrumental role in the development of the RAPID3, now a widely used, and ACR recognized, disease activity measurement tool.  He was a member of the International Treat to Target Task Force, which promoted the use of metrics in the treatment of RA.  Based on his clinical experience and expertise in disease activity measurement, Dr. Bergman is an active lecturer, both in the United States and internationally.  Another priority is inspiring and developing interest in the field of Rheumatology among Medical Residents, with over 10 of his students going on to pursue a career in our specialty.

For more information on each of these awards, and to view past recipients, please visit www.rheumatology.org/Get-Involved/Awards