The Arthritis Foundation has named Alaina Davis, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Rheumatology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Alaina Davis Ripple Effect Award. The new honor recognizes an individual whose compassion, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the juvenile arthritis community. She will be celebrated during the Commitment to a Cure Gala on Sept. 17.
“I’m honored to receive the inaugural Dr. Alaina Davis Ripple Effect Award,” said Davis. “This recognition reminds me that our work creates lasting ripples for patients, families, volunteers and colleagues. Caring for children with rheumatic disease is a privilege, and I’m grateful to be part of their journeys. I look forward to helping continue this award and celebrating others making a meaningful difference.”
The award is named in honor of Davis and is intended to celebrate those who inspire hope, champion families and create a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond their own actions. Organizers say the recognition reflects a legacy measured in the lives touched.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arthritis Foundation struggled to resume in-person events supporting the local juvenile arthritis community. Kelsey Johnson, Development Director for the Arthritis Foundation in Tennessee, said that Davis worked tirelessly with her team, families and the Arthritis Foundation team to bring back in-person events, as well as connection through the Power Pack Program. Johnson also said Davis has become a vital source of guidance for families navigating a new diagnosis, connecting them with Arthritis Foundation resources and support when the experience can feel overwhelming.
“Dr. Davis embodies what this award is meant to celebrate: compassion in every interaction, leadership that brings people together, and a deep dedication to children living with arthritis and the families who love them,” said Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, System Pediatrician-in-Chief and James C. Overall Professor of Pediatrics. “Just as importantly, she has been a trusted guide for families facing a new diagnosis, helping them feel less alone by connecting them to resources, support and hope. It’s fitting that the Dr. Alaina Davis Ripple Effect Award bears her name, because her impact is measured in the lives she touches and the brighter future she helps create.”
The Arthritis Foundation supports research, advocacy and education in addition to local programs focused on improving treatment for arthritis, which is the primary cause of disability in the U.S. More than 58 million adults and hundreds of thousands of children are impacted.
In Tennessee, the Arthritis Foundation serves more than 1.7 million adults and thousands of children through community events and juvenile arthritis programming, as well as research investments and advocacy, working alongside local partners to ensure families don’t face arthritis alone.
