Our Mission
The Steffens Scleroderma Center is the only scleroderma research center in upstate New York. Our mission is to develop a regional network of medical professionals and researchers focused on improving the lives of patients with scleroderma through enhanced patient care and global research.
About Ann Steffens:
The Steffens Scleroderma Center was formed in memory of Ann Elizabeth Steffens who was diagnosed with scleroderma in 1984 and passed away in 1997. Ann's nature was to help others, and she participated in several scleroderma research studies throughout her life. It was during one of these studies where she met Dr. Lee Shapiro, one of the leaders of the Center. Ann was also a member of the Tri-State Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation. Her mother, Helen Polenz, still attends the support group meetings. Helen donated the money to create the Research Center in the hope of sparing others the pain of losing a loved one to this disease.
