MDA Opens 3 More ALS Centers
Three new ALS centers have been added to MDAs roster of centers
specializing in research and treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The 33 MDA/ALS centers use a team approach in assisting
people with ALS, while conducting clinical research.
A new center was created at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences College of Medicine in Little Rock. The director is Stacy
Rudnicki, an associate professor of neurology and director of MDAs
outpatient clinic at the university.
The second addition is at the University of Rochester Medical Center
in New York state. Director Charles Thornton is an MDA research grantee
and co-directs the universitys MDA clinic.
The third new center is at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Director David Lacomis is an associate professor of neurology and
pathology at UPMC. He also directs the MDA clinic at the university.
A complete list of MDA/ALS centers, and contact
information, can be found at www.als-mda.org/clinics/alsserv.html.
All of MDAs 235 hospital-affiliated clinics
serve people with ALS and any of the other neuromuscular
diseases in MDAs program.
American Express Again to Boost Telethon Donations
As its done since 1998, MDA national sponsor American Express will
again offer something extra on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
For each phoned-in pledge made using the American Express charge card,
the company will add an extra $5 donation to MDA.
MDA Board Adds Hutton, Bennett Renamed Chairman
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| David L. Hutton |
David L. Hutton of Granada Hills, Calif., was elected to MDAs Board
of Directors during the Associations recent annual meeting in Los
Angeles.
Hutton, president of Miller Automotive Group, a group of eight auto
dealerships in Los Angeles, is a 30-year veteran of the automotive
retail industry. He previously served as an MDA national vice president.
Also during the meeting, Robert M. Bennett of Los Angeles was elected
to a 10th one-year term as chairman of the Board.
Others re-elected to the Board include: Robert Ross, whom the Board
renamed as MDA president & CEO; Lois R. West, renamed chairperson
of the Executive Committee; Victor Wright, re-elected treasurer; and
Timmi Masters, re-elected secretary.
In addition, the Board named Jerry Lewis to another term as national
chairman, and Gerald C. Weinberg as senior vice president.
The Board also appointed 14 new MDA vice presidents. They are:
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| Robert M. Bennett |
DeLight E. Breidegam Jr., chairman of East Penn Manufacturing Co.
in Lyon Station, Pa.; Robert Cramer, chief operating officer of Fareway
Stores in Boone, Iowa; Frank DiBella, CPA, of Frank DiBella Accountancy
Corp. in Whittier, Calif.;
Carlos S. Fernandez, president and general manager of KXAN-TV in
Austin, Texas; Tom Gleitsman, chairman and CEO of WalTom Racing and
Texor Petroleum in Riverside, Ill.; Robert Holland, vice president
for Fixed Income Trading at Fortis Investments in Boston; A. Ralph
Horlbeck, Supreme Tall Cedar of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, of Kresgeville,
Pa;
Mike Kuntz, vice president and general manager of Turner Construction
in Philadelphia; Cheryl Palmer, president of the Food Emporium in
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; Lon Rosenberg, director of stadium operations for
the Los Angeles Dodgers;
Jeni Stepanek of Rockville, Md., researcher at the University of
Maryland and mother of the late MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie
Stepanek; Steve Wemple, president of the Sailormen restaurant chain
in Miami; Daner Wood, founder and chairman of the U.S. Health Advisors
National Training Center in Acworth, Ga.; and Roy A. Young, managing
director of the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta.
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| "This Baby Shines,"
by Craig Wilderman, is one of the pieces from the MDA Art Collection
that will be featured in travelling exhibits this fall. |
MDA Art Collection to Exhibit in Two Cities
Works from the MDA Art Collection will be exhibited in Scranton,
Pa., and Indianapolis this fall.
The University of Scranton will host an exhibit of selected works
from the Collection from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, featuring several
pieces under the title Barrier Free: Selections From the MDA Art Collection.
Another exhibit will take place at the Indianapolis Art Garden from
Nov. 1 through Nov. 15. Entitled Transcending Barriers: Selections
From the MDA Art Collection, the exhibit consists of 27 pieces.
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| "Friends,"
by T.C.Blackburn, is one of the pieces from the MDA Art Collection
that will be featured in travelling exhibits this fall. |
The Collections permanent home is at MDAs national headquarters
in Tucson, Ariz., but you can view it at www.mda.org/commprog/art.
The Collection features more than 300 works by children and adults
with neuromuscular diseases.
If you know of a museum or gallery that would be interested in hosting
an exhibit from the Collection, contact Mike Blishak at (520) 529-5349.
