Connective Issues Spring 2016

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Spring 2016 5
LEADERSHIP
Scientific Advisory Board Expands
The Marfan Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board plays a crucial role in evaluating
the research proposals we receive for our annual grant program. Using a protocol
similar to the National Institutes of Health, the Foundation provides grants to estab-
lished faculty, early investigators, and fellows.
The Foundation is proud to announce the addition of five highly-acclaimed
scientists to this prestigious board: Scott A. LeMaire, MD, Baylor College of Medicine;
Joseph Lorenzo, MD, University of Connecticut Health Center; Peter A. Byers, MD,
University of Washington; B. Timothy Baxter, MD, University of Nebraska; and Jil C.
Tardiff, MD, PhD, University of Arizona.
They join Craig T. Basson, MD, PhD, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research,
who is chair of the SAB; John A. Elefteriades, MD, Yale School of Medicine; Jonathan
W. Weinsaft, MD, New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center;
Richard J. Wenstrup, MD, Myriad Genetics Laboratories; and Terri L. Young, MD, MBA,
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“We are honored to have such highly regarded scientists collaborate with us on
our research grant program,” said Josephine Grima, PhD, Chief Science Officer, The
Marfan Foundation. “They bring a range of research experience and expertise that is
beneficial to the Foundation as we expand our research interests even further into
non-cardiac issues of not only Marfan syndrome, but also related disorders.”
Professional Advisory Board News
The esteemed members of our Professional Advisory Board, who are world leaders
in research and the care of people with Marfan syndrome and related disorders,
continue to garner recognition in the U.S. and abroad.
Congratulations to Dr. Hal Dietz, who received the Career Research Achievement
Award from the American Heart Association. Dr. Dietz, who has served on our Pro-
fessional Advisory Board since 1994, is the Victor A. McKusick Professor of Medicine
and Genetics; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and Director of the
William S. Smilow Center for Marfan Syndrome Research at Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine. He also currently serves as the president of the American Society
of Human Genetics.
Congratulations to Dr. Dianna Milewicz,
who was awarded the Visiting Professor-
ship of the Princess Liliane Foundation in
Belgium. Dr. Milewicz, who has served on
our Professional Advisory Board since
1996, is the President George H.W. Bush
Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine; Vice
Chair, Department of Internal Medicine;
Director, Division of Medical Genetics;
and Director, John Ritter Research
Program, at the University of Texas-
Houston Medical Center.
Meet and learn from Drs. Dietz,
Milewicz, and other members of our Professional Advisory Board at our 2016 annual
conference this summer. See the opposite page for more information.
DIANNA MILEWICZ, MD, PHD
FOUNDATION NEWS
Scientific and Professional Advisory Board Updates
WAYS TO SUPPORT
THE FOUNDATION
Your support enables our patients
and families to receive vital informa-
tion, get the necessary treatment,
and live a long and full life. You can
by:
• Becoming a sustaining donor and
giving a monthly donation
• Making a gift in honor or in
memory of a loved one
• Including the Foundation in your
estate plans
• Selecting the Foundation in your
employee giving campaigns
• Choose the Foundation as the
beneficiary of a percentage of
your purchases on Amazon Smile
If you’d like to learn more about how
you can help advance our mission
by supporting the Foundation,
please contact Helaine Baruch,
.
I am confident Callie’s early diagnosis
was due to a lot of previous, relentless
efforts by those in support of the
Marfan community and how can I better
repay that than to pass it forward.
– Jamie Efurd, The Woodlands, TX