National Psoriasis Foundation Southeast Soirée raises $160,000 in Atlanta

By AI, Created 5:06 PM UTC, May 27, 2026, /AGP/ – The National Psoriasis Foundation’s annual Southeast Soirée in Atlanta on May 7 drew more than 175 supporters and raised $160,000 for psoriatic disease research, education and support. The event also recognized four Southeast health care honorees and highlighted efforts to improve care for the more than 8 million Americans living with the disease.

Why it matters: - The $160,000 raised will support research, education and patient support for the more than 8 million people in the U.S. living with psoriatic disease. - The funding is aimed at earlier diagnostic tools for psoriatic arthritis, expanded treatment options and, ultimately, a cure. - The event helped mobilize supporters, advocates and health care leaders around a disease that can affect long-term quality of life.

What happened: - The National Psoriasis Foundation hosted its annual Southeast Soirée in Atlanta on May 7, 2026. - More than 175 supporters, advocates and leaders in health care and industry attended. - The event raised $160,000 for the National Psoriasis Foundation’s mission. - The soirée honored four Southeast clinicians for leadership in psoriatic disease care.

The details: - TJ Chao PA-C of Stockbridge, Georgia, received the Dermatology Advanced Practice Provider Honoree Award. - Julio A. Gonzalez Paoli, M.D., of Tampa, Florida, received the Rheumatology Physician Honoree Award. - Patricia Oyetakin, M.D., FAAD, of Woodstock, Georgia, received the Dermatology Physician Honoree Award. - Wendy Simmons, PA-C, of Wilmington, North Carolina, received the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Provider Honoree Award. - NPF recognized the honorees for compassion, expertise and commitment to the psoriatic disease community. - Johnson & Johnson served as presenting sponsor. - UCB served as a Cures Sponsor. - NPF said sponsor support helps fuel research, expand educational resources and provide critical support for patients and families. - Leah M. Howard, NPF president and CEO, said the event shows what the community can accomplish together and is helping accelerate progress for people living with psoriatic disease. - NPF describes itself as the leading nonprofit representing people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. - The organization says its mission is to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of more than 8 million Americans affected by the chronic immune-mediated disease. - More information is available at psoriasis.org.

Between the lines: - The event mixed fundraising with recognition of clinicians, underscoring NPF’s focus on both community engagement and medical care. - The sponsor list suggests continued support from major health care companies for research and patient education in the psoriatic disease space. - NPF is using event-driven fundraising to sustain both near-term support services and longer-term research goals.

What’s next: - Funds from the soirée will continue supporting efforts to improve diagnosis, expand treatment options and advance toward a cure. - NPF will likely keep using regional events to build awareness, raise money and strengthen its network of advocates and clinicians.