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EULAR PRESS RELEASE
EULAR 2013
Annual Congress of the European League
Against Rheumatism
Madrid, Spain, 12-15 June 2013
EULAR honours outstanding contributions to rheumatology
Professors Barry Bresnihan and Jean-Michel Dayer receive Meritorious Service Award
Madrid, Spain, 12 June 2013: EULAR today announced the recipients of the 13 th annual Meritorious
Service Award at the opening of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual
Congress. The award recognises a lifetime of achievement for Professors Barry Bresnihan, Ireland,
and Jean-Michel Dayer, Switzerland, for their services to rheumatology, and was bestowed upon
Professor Bresnihan posthumously.
Professor Maxime Dougados, President of EULAR said, “since its inception in 2000, the Meritorious
Service Award has been given to rheumatologists that have been judged by the EULAR Executive
Committee to have served rheumatology in an outstanding way. Over the years Professors Bresnihan
and Dayer have demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing the management of rheumatic
and musculoskeletal diseases, and conducted pivotal research that has substantially improved the
lives of patients.”
Professor Barry Bresnihan, Ireland
Professor Bresnihan’s primary clinical research interest was systemic lupus erythematosus, with a
particular focus on anti-neuronal antibodies and their effect on the nervous system. However, he
dedicated his life to the immunopathology of rheumatoid arthritis through studies of the synovial
membrane, the key organ involved in the disease.
During a 30 year tenure at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Professor Bresnihan developed
the Rheumatology Unit into the foremost academic unit in the field in Ireland, and one of the most
notable in Europe. A prolific researcher, Professor Bresnihan authored more than 200 original
publications, as well as writing editorials, reviews, chapters and books.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Professor Bresnihan founded The Arthritis
Foundation in 1980. In his capacity as Chairman, Professor Bresnihan re-energised and rebranded
the organisation, an undertaking that led to the formation of Arthritis Ireland and the first fully endowed
Chairs of rheumatology in the Republic of Ireland.
Prior to a remarkable career in rheumatology, Professor Bresnihan was proud to represent his country
as part of the British and Irish Lions Rugby team in 1968. An impressive international rugby player,
Meritorious Service Award

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Professor Bresnihan won 25 caps with Ireland, and was twice selected for the British Lions, touring
South Africa and New Zealand with the team.
Professor Jean-Michel Dayer, Switzerland
Professor Dayer, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Centre Médical Universitaire, pioneered the field of
pro- and inflammatory cytokines in chronic inflammatory disease, and was among the first to establish
a link between the immune system, cytokines and matrix degradation. As well as describing the role
of acute proteins, such as apolipoprotein-A1, in cell-cell interaction and cytokine regulation, Professor
Dayer identified factors IL-1 and TNF – therapeutic targets of immense significance for the
management of rheumatic disease.
The biological relevance of biomarkers has been investigated by Professor Dayer in numerous clinical
studies, and supported by the publication of almost 300 original papers, as well as books and review
articles.
A Master of the American College of Rheumatology – a distinction awarded to physicians for
outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to
their patients, students and the profession – Professor Dayer has served on numerous journal
editorial boards and scientific committees, and has been the President of the European Cytokine
Society, the International Cytokine Society and the Swiss Society of Allergy and Immunology.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
-ENDS-
For further information on this award, or to request an interview with Professor Dayer, please
do not hesitate to contact the EULAR congress Press Office in room A10:14 of the Congress
Centre during EULAR 2013 or on:
Email: eularpressoffice@cohnwolfe.com
EULAR Press Office
Onsite tel: +44 (0) 20 7331 5364 / 5380 / 5318 / 2305
About EULAR
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is an umbrella organisation which
represents scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations of people with
rheumatic diseases throughout Europe
In line with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), EULAR defines rheumatology as
including rheumatic diseases of the connective tissue, locomotor and musculoskeletal systems.
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EULAR aims to promote, stimulate and support the research, prevention, treatment and
rehabilitation of rheumatic diseases
With 45 scientific member societies, 36 People with Arthritis and Rheumatism in Europe (PARE)
organisations and 11 health professionals associations, EULAR underscores the importance of
combating rheumatic diseases not only through medical means, but also through patient care.
EULAR 2013 is set to be the biggest rheumatology event in Europe with over 14,000 scientists,
physicians, allied health professionals and related audiences in attendance from more than 110
countries. Over the course of the congress there will be more than 320 oral and 1,800 poster
abstract presentations, and 750 lectures with 330 invited speakers
To find out more about the activities of EULAR, visit: www.eular.org
Meritorious Service Award