GRANA ELECTED TO MDA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

TUCSON, Ariz., April 18, 2001 - William A. Grana, M.D., MPH, of Tucson has been elected to the national voluntary leadership of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Grana is a professor and head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He was named to a one-year term as a national vice president of the voluntary health organization at a recent meeting of MDA's Board at its national headquarters here.

A 1968 graduate of Harvard Medical School, Grana specializes in sports medicine. He served as physician for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games and has treated such professional athletes as Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner.

MDA vice presidents provide counsel in their areas of expertise and assist the Association through advocacy and support of its lifesaving programs and activities.

"MDA deeply appreciates the leadership of volunteers such as Dr. Grana for their dedication and support," MDA Senior Vice President and Executive Director Robert Ross said. "His commitment to the battle against neuromuscular diseases helps vitally in propelling our progress toward treatments and cures."

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA maintains the Mucio F. Delgado Clinic for Neuromuscular Disorders at the UA Health Sciences Center. As part of the Delgado Clinic, MDA also maintains a separate clinic for those it serves affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) at University Physician's Clinic.