The University of Michigan ALS Center of Excellence has added four members to its National Advisory Board, it was announced today by Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the ALS Center of Excellence and Director of the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery.
The new members include:
Jon Gerych: the owner of Gerych’s Flowers and Events, located in Fenton and Birmingham, Michigan, and is one of Southeast Michigan’s premier event planners. Complete Biography
Jim Hiller: a licensed attorney and former president and CEO of Hiller’s Markets. He formed and endowed the U-M Program for Neurology Research & Discovery. Complete Biography
Lisa Rosenberg: the founder and owner of Closet NV, a high-end designer consignment boutique in West Bloomfield. She previously served on the ALS Association of Michigan Board of Directors. Complete Biography
Dr. Brian Roth: the medical director of the Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital. He is also the president of Specialists in Rehabilitation Medicine, P.C. Complete Biography
The ALS Center of Excellence National Advisory Board, which was established in 2018, is comprised of 16 business and community leaders throughout the state of Michigan. They support the Center’s mission of conducting basic science and clinical research, and providing exceptional clinical care to ALS patients and their caregivers. Board members are also charged with improving public knowledge about ALS and how it is treated.
“ALS is a disease that we must overcome,” said Feldman, the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology. “It needs additional attention from researchers and physicians, as well as the general public. I am very pleased to add four dynamic leaders to our board, each of whom bring a passion to help us defeat ALS.”
Following his selection as lieutenant governor of Michigan, Garlin Gilchrist II stepped down from the Board.
About the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine: The ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine is comprised of an active basic science, translational, and clinical research program and the Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic. This structure engages collaboration between physicians, basic scientists, nurses, ancillary providers, and research coordinators all working towards better treatments, an understanding of why a person develops ALS, and ultimately a cure for ALS.
About ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This in turns causes progressive weakness of voluntary skeletal muscle often leading to death in 2 to 4 years. Current therapies only minimally slow disease and new therapeutic options are critically needed.
