Vasculitis Foundation Honors Dr. Scott Beegle with V-RED Award

The Vasculitis Foundation recently honored pulmonary and critical care physician Scott Beegle, MD, with the Recognizing Excellence in Diagnostics (V-RED) Award, Honorable Mention.

The V-RED Award recognizes medical providers who have made a quick diagnosis of vasculitis, thereby enabling timely, appropriate treatment and potentially sparing the patient from permanent and ongoing health complications.

Mary Meliski, who has been Dr. Beegle’s patient since 2009 and nominated him for the award, presented it to him.

“Since the beginning, Dr. Beegle has been dedicated to my care,” Mary wrote in her nomination. “Despite all the side effects and complications that have occurred, Dr. Beegle has been there with his knowledge and medical expertise to help with my care. I feel truly blessed to have Dr. Beegle as my provider. He has helped me to survive and keep living a wonderful life.”

In February 2009, Mary was admitted to Albany Med with severe jaw, ear, neck and back pain, wheezing and shortness of breath. The medical team, led by Dr. Beegle, performed a lung biopsy which ultimately led to a diagnosis: eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), one of the rarest forms of vasculitis.

Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissues. Formerly called Churg-Strauss syndrome, EGPA primarily affects small blood vessels.