Mini-Conference Has Major Success
The Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter held its first-ever "Ohio Mini- Conference," so named by Chapter President Mariann Boyanowski for the group's effort to bring "the feel" of the annual National Patient Conference home to those unable to travel to California.
Attendees came from all over the state and from surrounding states such as Indiana and West Virginia. Most were pleased with the programming, which included major topics pertinent to scleroderma patients as well as fundraising and training for support group leaders and potential leaders.
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Though "mini" in comparison to our great national event, there was plenty of information and plenty of opportunity to learn and meet new people. Our chapter sponsored scholarships for some attendees, as we do each year for National Conference. Some of these patients had never been to an educational event and came away with a whole new understanding of their disease and our organization.
We are extremely grateful to the professionals who gave of their time and talent to make this a great educational event: Jeffrey Chapman, M.D., of the Cleveland Clinic; Mary Toth, M.D., of the Akron Children's Hospital; Madhu Mehta, M.D. from the Ohio State University Medical Center; Thomas Evan Morgan, Esq.; LeeAnn Gaerke, OTR/L, CHT; and Sheila Lienhart, OTR/L. Roger Brechner, our national Chapter and Support Group Manager brought ideas fresh from National Conference and much expertise to our training.
As always, our volunteers outdid themselves as well - our thanks to Leni Schulz, Marilyn Panagopoulos, and Kevin and Mariann Boyanowski for their presentations and training.
The event was capped off with a dinner honoring the many volunteers who have helped to establish and grow the Ohio Chapter, from our Board of Directors to our Support Group Leaders. Our efforts to serve the patients of Ohio would be impossible without them.
This event was supported by our National Platinum Sponsor Actelion, event Platinum Sponsor Gilead Sciences, and Gold Sponsor United Therapeutics. Our in-kind sponsors Grabber Warmers and Biotene Oral Balance provided wonderful product packages for our patients to try and take home. Thank you all. |
