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Rick Labuda, Executive Director -
Rick started Chiari & Syringomyelia News in August, 2003 and has been the editor and primary author of the newsletter since it's inception.  Rick is also the founder of the C&S Patient Education Foundation.  As a Chiari and syringomyelia patient, Rick knows first-hand what many people go through as they confront these diseases.  In addition to his work with the newsletter, Rick was one of the first members of the ASAP (American Syringomyelia Alliance Project) Research Committee and has worked first-hand with researchers.  Rick holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and has over 15 years experience in engineering, marketing, and management for high-tech companies.

Board of Directors:

Tom Jones, President -
Mr. Jones is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Bluetree Allied Capital, an early-stage investment group, and has over 20 years of business and management experience.  Mr. Jones earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Rich Kushner, Vice President
Mr. Kushner is the Vice President of Industry Relations for Marconi Corp. and has over 20 years of business and marketing experience.  Mr. Kushner is active in the non-profit sector and is a Director of the American Respiratory Alliance.  He holds a Master's in Management and Policy Analysis from Carnegie Mellon University.

Mark Tomczak, Treasurer -
Mr. Tomczak is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years of world-wide, financial management experience, including 6 years at Price Waterhouse.  Mr. Tomczak is currently Vice President, Finance for Marconi Corp. in the USA.

Dr. Diane Mueller -
Dr. Mueller achieved her Doctorate in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University and has over 20 years of neurosurgical nursing experience.  She is currently with the University of Missouri, where she is a critical member of the Chiari Clinic team.  In this role, Diane has treated hundreds of Chiari and syringomyelia patients and has seen first-hand what these conditions can do to people.  In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Mueller  is active in researching Chiari as well.  She is specifically interested in quality of life issues and is currently involved in several  research projects. 

Scientific Advisors:

Dr. Ghassan Bejjani -
Dr. Bejjani is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.  He specializes in treating Chiari and syringomyelia and has seen hundreds of patients.  In addition, Dr. Bejjani has published several papers on the conditions and focuses his research efforts on abnormal neural hydrodynamics and why Chiari surgeries fail.

Dr. Terry Lichtor -
Dr. Lichtor is an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Rush University Medical Center and a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Loyola University. In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Lichtor is an attending neurosurgeon at several Chicago area hospitals and has been named one of America's Top Surgeons. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Lichtor holds a PhD and is actively involved in researching Chiari and syringomyelia.

Dr. Frank Loth -
Frank Loth, PhD is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois-Chicago and is the Director of the Biofluids Lab there.  Dr. Loth has been active in the Chiari arena for several years and performs research on the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid flow and how it is affected by Chiari and syringomyelia.  Dr. Loth has published several papers on this topic and serves on the review committee of leading biomedical journals.

Dr. John Oshinski -
John Oshinski, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Emory University. An MRI expert, Dr. Oshinski specializes in the imaging and analysis of fluid flow. He has studied blood flow and cardiac disease extensively and is now using his expertise to study the role of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow in Chiari and syringomyelia as well. Dr. Oshinski is a registered Professional Engineer and is a founding member of the Society of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.
 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:  This publication is intended for informational purposes only and may or may not apply to you.  The editor and publisher are not doctors and are not engaged in providing medical advice.   Always consult a qualified professional for medical care.  This publication does not endorse any doctors, procedures, or products.

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