03/11/2025
Advancing rheumatology care through generosity
Alla Rudinskaya, MD, the Anthony and Patty Rizzo Endowed Chair in Rheumatology at Danbury Hospital, has established a new framework for training advanced practice providers (APPs) in rheumatology. This is a result of the Rizzo family’s generous donation that established the Endowed Chair one year ago.
Rheumatological diseases are complex and require special training. There is a national shortage of rheumatologists, making it difficult for people to see a specialist quickly. Dr. Rudinskaya has established a process for training advanced practice providers (APPS), including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to create more access for people in our community who need care.
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The impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the Rizzo family
“There’s no greater gift in life than helping someone who you will never meet,” said Anthony (Tony) Rizzo Jr., owner and operator of the Rizzo Corporation in Danbury, Conn. and founder of the Rizzo Family Foundation. Mr. Rizzo has tirelessly upheld this sentiment through charitable contributions in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease that has directly affected the Rizzo family.
“My son was diagnosed with RA at a very young age. He once told me living with the disease is like living with the flu every day of your life,” Mr. Rizzo said.
“You reach a decision point as a parent when something like that happens,” Mr. Rizzo said. “You either insulate yourself or try and make a difference.”
Mr. Rizzo began advocating for RA awareness and fundraising through the Arthritis Foundation, organizing the walk to cure arthritis in Danbury. Soon, his charitable ambitions led to an annual golf tournament that today raises around $250,000 each year to combat RA.
“I wanted to create an event for everyone to come together and enjoy,” Mr. Rizzo said. “Most importantly, I wanted to bring together those who have connections through arthritis, especially those who have seen firsthand how the disease impacts children.”
Most recently, Mrs. Rizzo was also diagnosed with RA.
Expanding access to rheumatology care in the community
The Rizzo family selected Dr. Rudinskaya, chief of rheumatology at Nuvance Health, as the Endowed Chair because of her shared vision to advance RA care.
“Dr. Rudinskaya cares for both my son and wife,” Mr. Rizzo said. “She was an obvious choice for the Endowed Chair because of her passion for medical education and constant learning, her commitment to her patients and her tireless work to help treat the disease for so many people afflicted in our community.”
“I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of such generosity. I also felt an extra responsibility. I know it is very personal for Tony and Patty Rizzo; I want them to see that their generosity is making a difference in the lives of patients and community,” Dr. Rudinskaya said.
Having an endowed chair in our field is an investment in the future of the community, patient care and healthcare professionals. This endowment will enable us to improve access to treatments that will make a difference in our patients’ lives.”
Book an appointment with Dr. Rudinskaya
The future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment at Danbury Hospital
“We’ve made progress generating awareness within the community about rheumatology and arthritis, and that’s a big step forward,” said Dr. John M. Murphy, President and CEO of Nuvance Health. “The Endowed Chair of Rheumatology is already resulting improvements in how we treat this disease by bringing in practitioners who will see people sooner and more often.”
Dr. Rudinskaya and her team plan to eventually have two APPs trained per year. For now, they will maintain one APP in the inaugural year of the plan.
Current appointment waiting time is between two and six months, with the exception of urgent cases, depending on the provider. “We accommodate patients case by case,” said Dr. Rudinskaya.
“We are deeply grateful to Tony and the Rizzo family for their longstanding generosity and philanthropic partnership,” said Grace Linhard, Nuvance Health chief development officer. “Tony’s passion for combating this disease advances our capacity to ensure that everyone in the community impacted by RA has access to the best possible care close to home.”
Learn more about rheumatology at Nuvance Health.