2/12/03

MDA’s HESTERLEE NAMED TO
FEDERAL MD COMMITTEE

Sharon Hesterlee, Director of Research Development for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, has been appointed to serve on the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Hesterlee, who holds a doctoral degree in neuroscience from the University of Arizona and has been with MDA since 1998, will be one of about 15 committee members who will develop a plan for conducting and supporting federal research and education on muscular dystrophy.

The new committee will advise the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the implementation of the MD-CARE Act, which was passed by both houses of Congress in 2001. The law, called the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments, directs the NIH to increase its emphasis on developing treatments for all forms of muscular dystrophy.

“We’re gratified that MDA was involved not only in the passage of this law, which represents a landmark development in the history of government funding for muscular dystrophy, but that now the Association will also have a major role in guiding its implementation,” MDA President & CEO Robert Ross said.

The coordinating committee will also include representatives from each of the national research institutes involved in muscular dystrophy studies, other federal agencies whose activities are related to muscular dystrophy, and representatives of the public, including a cross section of persons affected by or with an interest in muscular dystrophy.

The committee will report to Congress every two years, describing ongoing projects, the funds expended for these and recommendations for future projects.