Rheumatology Makes Progress in Danbury thanks to the Rizzo Family

“There's no greater gift in life than helping someone who you will never meet,” says Anthony Rizzo Jr., owner and operator of the Rizzo Corporation in Danbury and founder of the Rizzo Family Foundation. Much of Mr. Rizzo’s adult life has been spent tirelessly upholding that sentiment through charitable contributions in the fight against Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – a disease that has directly impacted the Rizzo family.

“My son, who was diagnosed with RA at a very young age, once told me living with the disease is like living with the flu everyday of your life,” said Mr. Rizzo. At just three years-old, the youngest Rizzo was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a disease that effects an estimated 220,000 U.S. children and adolescents aged less than 18 years according to the CDC. “You reach a decision point as a parent when something like that happens,” said Mr. Rizzo. “You either insulate yourself or try and make a difference.” Just five years after his son's diagnosis, he joined the regional arthritis foundation and took over organizing the walk to cure arthritis in Danbury shortly thereafter. Soon, Mr. Rizzo’s charitable ambitions would give way 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,” said Mr. Rizzo. “Most importantly, I wanted to bring together those who have connections through arthritis, especially those who have seen firsthand how the disease impacts children.”

Mr. Rizzo’s three years on the national board of the Arthritis Foundation promoting volunteering and advocating for fundraising locally led him to the Danbury Hospital Board as well as Danbury Hospital Foundation Board and a meeting with Grace Linhard, Nuvance Health’s Chief Development Officer. Together, alongside Nuvance Health CEO Dr. John Murphy, Danbury Hospital has joined the fight against Rheumatoid Arthritis on behalf of the community and those who suffer from the chronic disease. “We are deeply grateful to Tony and the Rizzo family for their longstanding generosity and philanthropic partnership,” said Ms. Linhard. “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.”

Last year, the family established the Anthony and Patty Rizzo Endowed Chair in Rheumatology at Danbury Hospital. “For me it was an important way of preserving the family's investment for generations to come,” said Mr. Rizzo. For the Rizzo family, legacy giving has become even more personal in the face of RA after Mrs. Rizzo was recently diagnosed with the same disease that has plagued their son. When it came time to appoint the leader who would take on the role as chair, the choice was easy for the Rizzo family.

Dr. Alla Rudinskaya, a 20-year veteran physician and Chief of Rheumatology at Nuvance Health, was awarded the position on behalf of the Rizzo Family Foundation in 2023. “Dr. Rudinskaya treats both my son and wife,” said Mr. Rizzo. “She was an obvious choice 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.”

In the intervening year, Dr. Rudinskaya and her team have begun to build a framework that would allow to train Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) to enter the field of Rheumatology. An Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a health care professional who is not a physician but who performs medical activities often performed by a physician. It is most commonly a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of rheumatologists, not only in Danbury area but nationwide. APPs could be invaluable in helping to close the gap: they may help physicians to see patients in the office and shorten the wait time for the appointments, address sick calls, help patients getting their medications approved by the insurances, educating patients, coordinating care with other providers.

"When I learned that I was named an Endowed Chair of Rheumatology, I felt honored and humbled. But I also felt that an extra responsibility was added to my plate," said Dr.Rudinskaya. "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.”

For his part, Dr. Murphy stands as a champion of the cause for cure, and an eminent backer of Dr. Rudinskaya’s work. “I feel like we've started the conversation within the community about Rheumatology and arthritis and that's a big step toward progress,” said Dr. Murphy. “The Chair of Rheumatology can make huge difference in the commitment to treat this disease by bringing in practitioners who will see people sooner and more often.”