News

Sponsored By Actelion

12th Annual Ellen Ehrhart Medical Symposium

On Saturday, June 6, 2009 over 50 people came out to North Broward Medical Center for the Scleroderma Foundations 12th Annual Ellen Ehrhart Medical Symposium sponsored by Actelion Pharmaceuticals. The day was a huge success and everyone in attendance was very excited with the wealth of information that was presented.

We would like to thank all of our guest speakers for volunteering their time on a Saturday to educate all of our attendees. These highly renowned medical professionals presented and discussed topics dealing with the Rehab, dental problems and Pain Management. Following each presentation, audience members were given the opportunity to ask specific questions related to their own Scleroderma issues. This question and answer period was extremely helpful.

On behalf of the Scleroderma Foundation I would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the following speakers: Dr. Harold Menchel, Dr. Eugene Lustgarten and Dawn Brown-Cross. Thank you goes out to Actelion Pharmaceuticals for making this event possible.

Annual Meeting/Holiday Party... Great Fun!

On December 6 the Southeast Florida Chapter hosted its Annual Holiday Party/Awards Presentation at the North Broward Hospital.  The event was a huge success and over 50 people attended the festivities.  We would like to congratulate the following individuals who received the Scleroderma Foundation prestigious awards.

• Corporate Citizen of the Year was given to Raymond James & Associates
• Volunteer of the Year was given to Dawn & Joe Janosik
• Fundraiser of the Year was awarded to Gerri Wessman

We also had the great opportunity to induct the following new board members to our local Board of Directors:  Their term begins January 2009 and ends December 2010.

• Jerry Lance
• Dr. Howard Meridy
• Chris Miller

The Scleroderma Foundation would like to welcome the following individuals to the Southeast Florida Chapter.

We would like to also thank the following Board members for their service as their Board terms have come to an end: Jen Bailey, Ann & Dean Potts.

The Foundation will miss them.

"Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" 2008 Recap and Photos

From left: Lauren Beeson; Samantha Murray; Chris Harrison; Jodi Danois; SE Florida Chapter Executive Director; Sharla Slappey, Chapter Board Treasurer; Christina Thrailkill, Dade County Support Group Leader; and Gary Barg, SE FL board member, who was a speaker at the Conference.

Southeast Florida Wins Award at National Conference

Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award – Southeast Florida Chapter
Demonstrating the most growth and innovation, the Southeast Florida Chapter was awarded this year’s Outstanding Chapter Fundraising Award. From 2006–2007, the Chapter grew by 85%, and developed a new “Mother’s Day Brunch” event that was able to generate awareness and revenue for the Foundation. Their creative spirit and incentive for growth has helped the chapter to enrich the lives of even more individuals living with scleroderma.