The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) celebrated the life of Paul Plotz, MD, after his passing on January 13, 2024, at the age of 86. Dr. Plotz served as Chief, Acting Scientific Director, and Acting Deputy Director of the NIAMS Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch, a senior advisor, and a scientist emeritus at NIAMS over the course of 46 years at the National Institutes of Health—where he focused his research on immunology, muscle disease, autoantibodies, autoimmune disease, inflammatory muscle diseases, and myositis until his retirement in 2011. He was instrumental in advancing the understanding of the mechanisms behind systemic lupus erythematosus early in his career. As an internationally renowned rheumatologist and immunologist, he was honored with the Presidential Gold Medal from the American College of Rheumatology in 2013 in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the field of rheumatology. Dr. Plotz will be remembered for his career-long devotion to rheumatology and mentorship. He is survived by his wife and two children.
February 15, 2024