Beyond Celiac Announces Addition of New Board Members
| 12/1/2016 |
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Philadelphia, PA (December 1, 2016) – Beyond Celiac, a leading patient advocacy organization serving the 2.5 million Americans with celiac disease, announced the addition of new members to its Board of Directors. “We are proud to add these respected innovators to our leadership team. These accomplished professionals will help us move the needle on the state of celiac disease awareness, diagnosis and treatments,” noted Alice Bast, Beyond Celiac CEO. Robert J. Beall, PhD Dr. Beall served as the President and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 19 years. Under his leadership, the CF Foundation became one of the most respected voluntary health organizations in the country and recognized for its innovative approaches to bring new therapies to patients with the disease. The CF Foundation and its success have been the subject of articles in Business Week, Forbes, The New Yorker and other major publications. In addition, the foundation has been the subject of two Harvard Business School case studies. During Dr. Beall’s tenure, innovative medical programs contributed to a dramatic rise in life expectancy in CF patients, and a pipeline of nearly 30 drugs in development to treat all aspects of the disease, including the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. When Beall joined the Foundation in 1980, the median predicted age of survival for a person with the disease was 18 years of age — today it is more than 40 years. For the first time ever, more than 50 percent of people with CF are over 18 years of age. CF is no longer a pediatric disease. Dr. Beall resides in Potomac, MD. Glenna M. Crooks, PhD As Founder of SageLife, LLC, Dr. Crooks has created new ways to understand, visualize and transform personal, family, career and business networks to improve health, happiness and success. Previously, as Founder of Strategic Health Policy International, Inc. she solved tough healthcare problems for business and government clients globally. Known as a “one-woman think tank” by her clients – businesses and governments globally, she brought significant innovations to the field, earning her recognition as a Disruptive Woman in Healthcare. She served as a senior policy advisory in government, appointed by President Ronald Reagan. Later, during Merck & Co., Inc.’s Most Admired Corporation years, her policy group was recognized as the best in the Fortune 500. She was Chair of the National Commission on Rare Diseases and received the Congressional Exemplary Service Award for Orphan Products Development. She was the first civilian to receive the highest award for contributions to public health, the Surgeon General’s Medallionfrom C. Everett Koop. Dr. Crooks’ new book, The Network Sage: Unleashing Your Pit Crew Network Superpower, will be published later this year. Dr. Crooks resides in Philadelphia, PA. Ciaran P. Kelly, MD Dr. Kelly is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Herrman L. Blumgart Internal Medicine Firm, Director of Gastroenterology Training and Medical Director of the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. He heads clinical, research and educational programs in celiac disease as Medical Director of the Celiac Center at Harvard. Dr. Kelly has longstanding clinical and research interests in intestinal infection and inflammation. He is the author of more than 150 clinical and basic research book chapters, invited reviews, and peer-reviewed publications appearing in such journals as Infection & Immunity, American Journal of Physiology, Gastroenterology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Clinical Investigation, The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Kelly works and resides in the Boston area. “These new board members will be instrumental in engaging researchers, medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, regulators, patients and their families, as well as donors and many others in improving the quality of life and health outcomes for the 1 in 133 who are living with celiac disease,” Bast added. About Celiac Disease Celiac disease is a serious, genetic, autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 133 Americans, 83% of whom are still undiagnosed. The disease causes debilitating symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term health problems including infertility, osteoporosis and some types of cancer. About Beyond Celiac Beyond Celiac, formerly known as the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, is a leading advocacy organization committed to improving awareness and understanding of celiac disease as a serious genetic autoimmune disease; accelerating innovation to support those with celiac disease to live life to the fullest; and forging pathways to a cure. We aim to inspire hope, build a strong community and serve as a trusted resource on celiac disease. For more information, please visit www.beyondceliac.org. Beyond Celiac is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Media Contact: |
