 |
PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:Ariella Levine
646-943-7430
alevine@ccfa.org Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Welcomes New Leaders to Executive Board
Gary Sinderbrand to serve as new chairperson of CCFA Board New York, NY—April 2, 2009—The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—announced today the appointment of Board Chair, Gary Sinderbrand, and Board members, Nancy Lynn, Jeff Margolis, Steve Goodman, Michele Rubin, and Maura Breen to its National Board of Trustees. These accomplished individuals will help shape the mission of CCFA at a time when scientific breakthroughs are opening new avenues for approaching these often debilitating and costly digestive diseases, which affect over 1.4 million adults and children in this country alone. "We believe that our incoming Chairperson and new Board members will contribute significantly to the mission of the Foundation in the coming years," says Richard J. Geswell, President of CCFA. "Their combined talent in the business and not-for-profit communities will be a source of invaluable support and guidance as we continue to raise funds to advance our search for the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis." Gary Sinderbrand, appointed chairperson of the board, is a veteran of the New York investment community. Sinderbrand currently serves as managing director with Wachovia Securities in Manhattan. He is also an active volunteer pilot for Angel Flight and Veteran's Airlift Command. He joined the national board of CCFA in 2003 and has been passionately committed to meeting its financial goals and research agenda. "Our family's experience with Crohn's disease led me to CCFA when it became apparent that most of the advances in this field of medicine stemmed from CCFA sponsored research," says Sinderbrand. "I know, however, that there is still no cure to eliminate the suffering of over 1 million children and adults. It is a privilege to serve as Chairperson at a time when the field of IBD research is proving more fertile than ever." Sinderbrand holds a B.S. from the University of Colorado, and resides in Linwood, NJ. Nancy Lynn brings to CCFA a strong commitment to the Foundation's mission and a wealth of experience in expanding a nonprofit organization. She is currently director of Corporate Relations at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where she leads the museum's corporate partnership initiatives. Previously, Lynn served as the museum's director for Global Business Development and supervised distribution of scientific content, including international traveling exhibitions. She has served on leadership boards for the National Center for Science Education, the Martha Graham Dance Company, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and the Jewish National Fund. She received a B.A. from Columbia University and an M.A. in History of Art and Architecture from New York University. Lynn resides in Demarest, New Jersey.
Jeff Margolis is the chairman and CEO of the TriZetto Group, the leading supplier of software and related services for the healthcare insurance industry, based in Newport Beach, CA. Margolis has architected information technology solutions for some of the nation's largest and most innovative healthcare organizations, earning broad recognition as a futurist in the application of health care information technology to address challenges in the U.S. healthcare industry. He is currently educating the industry about Integrated Healthcare Management, a new model for improving the coordination of benefits and care for consumers. Margolis serves on the boards of Hoag Hospital, The University of California at Irvine's Center for Healthcare Management & Policy, and the board of governors at Cedars-Sinai. He also is a guest faculty member at Harvard School of Public Health's 2009 Forces of Change. Mr. Margolis hold a B.S. in Business Administration--Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Steve Goodman founded MeetingAdvice LLC, specializing in both high-end incentives and corporate and association meetings worldwide including unique destinations such as China, Turkey, and Italy. An active member in the healthcare and professional communities, Goodman has received various awards recognizing his many contributions throughout the years to nonprofit organizations. He has also chaired numerous foundations and several fundraisers in the Atlanta area. Goodman graduated from Georgia State University with a B.S. in Business Administration and resides in Atlanta, GA. Michele Rubin is a Certified Gastrointestinal Registered Nurse with over 30 years experience in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at the University of Chicago Medical Center ranging from positions in nursing leadership, IBD research, to Clinical Nurse Specialist. Caring for patients with IBD has become her passion over the years as she worked closely with a multidisciplinary IBD patient management team at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Ms. Rubin is currently in a collaborative practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse with three IBD surgeons, managing the pre- and post-surgical care of patients. She manages the long term follow up of patients recovering from complex surgeries including the Ileo Pouch Anal Anastomosis procedure. Rubin believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and support they need to become active participates in decision-making with their plan of care and to ensure a safe and successful surgical recovery. She holds a master's degree in Nursing from St. Xavier College in Chicago, IL and a B.S. in Nursing from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She resides in Joliet, IL. Maura Breen recently retired from Verizon after 30 years of service. Prior to leaving Verizon, Breen was the Senior Vice President and General Manager for the New York Region, a position she held since 2006. She is a David Rockefeller Fellow alumnus, was selected to be among the Academy of Women Achievers in New York, and holds awards from the Saint Patrick's Home for the Aging in New York and Irish America Magazine. Breen is a member of the Committee of 200, the New York Women's Forum, and is Corporate Director, Express Scripts, a pharmaceutical benefits company based in St. Louis. A graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, Breen resides in Fairfield, CT.
About Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.
About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.
###
|
|
 |
|
