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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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