Tall with a commanding but friendly personality, Rino Aldrighetti shepherded PHA from a small grassroots organization to the largest pulmonary hypertension organization in the world. Under his leadership, PHA became a professionally staffed organization, rapidly expanding the organization’s fundraising, budget and services.

Aldrighetti was hired in 1999 as part-time executive director. He soon became full-time and later was promoted to president and CEO. He retired after PHA 2016 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions.

“Rino was a dreamer and a visionary,” says former PHA Chair Colleen Brunetti and long-time friend of Aldrighetti. “Status quo was never enough. He was forever coming up with new innovative ideas for PHA to grow and increase our impact.”

Fierce, caring advocate

“Rino was in it not for the job, nor to establish a career, nor even to create an exemplary organization,” says Michael McGoon, MD,” a member of PHA’s Scientific Advisory Committee since its 1992 inception. “Rino was in it because he clearly saw that the potential of this patient-centric organization grounded in clinical science. He know PHA could do something meaningful for patients.”

Brunetti realized Aldrighetti’s commitment to people with PH when she met him at PHA’s PH Professional Network Symposium not long after she was diagnosed. She related her challenges in trying to reach her specialty pharmacy about medication delivery problems.

“Rino picked up his phone and dialed that contact directly” she recalls. “My jaw hit the floor.” Aldrighetti spelled out the importance of the situation, what needed to be done and how the lack of response was unacceptable. “Long story short, I had my medications shortly after,” she says.

“In that moment, I knew we had the most fierce and caring advocate as the head of PHA, and we were so lucky. Under his leadership and at his nudging, I would go on to tell my story to many companies, and help create a program at PHA that still helps patients access care today. I am forever grateful.”

Embracing research

Described as a risk taker, Aldrighetti embraced and supported initiatives to improve access and quality of PH care, fund research and build a vibrant support group network. He opened PHA’s first Silver Spring, Maryland, office and hired its second employee.

“He embraced support for research to improve the lives of PH patients and rose to the challenge of fundraising,” says Greg Elliott, MD. Aldrighetti supported the Research Room at PHA conferences and embraced the idea of creating a network of accredited PH care centers modeled after a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation program, Elliott says.

Aldrighetti’s many accomplishments include PHA’s launch of Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, the first medical journal dedicated to PH.

Aldrighetti was especially committed to expand PHA’s culture globally. He recognized that each country or region incorporate PHA’s ethos of concern for patients and worked with representatives in other countries to build a network of PH organizations worldwide, McGoon says. His passion for international collaboration led to the establishment of the International Leaders Summit at the PHA 2010 conference.

Before joining PHA, Aldrighetti was executive director of the National Family Farm Coalition, executive secretary of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, development director for the National Council for Adoption, and associate director of development and public relations for the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception.

In addition to his considerable nonprofit experience, Aldrighetti was active in his Takoma Park, Maryland, community on public safety and other grassroots issues.