January 05, 2009

Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD - President, NATFsgoldhaber@partners.org Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is a Senior Staff Member of the Cardiovascular Medicine Division of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  He is Director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Venous Thromboembolism Research Group and Director of the Anticoagulation Service.  Dr. Goldhaber is Principal Investigator of a broad range of randomized clinical trials and observational studies related to the prevention, treatment, and epidemiology of venous thromboembolism.

Dr. Goldhaber co-directs four Harvard Medical School Continuing Medical Education courses:  1) a 1-day course that focuses on prevention of thrombosis (February 15, 2007), 2) a 5-day course reviewing all aspects of cardiovascular medicine (May 20-24, 2007), 3) a 1-day North American Thrombosis Summit (September 29, 2007), and 4) a 2-day course reviewing thrombosis and thromboembolism (October 8-9, 2008). 

In May 2006, he co-chaired the 2-day Surgeon General’s Workshop on DVT, which was cosponsored by the NHLBI.  This Workshop will lead to the Surgeon General’s planned 2007 “Call To Action” on DVT.  He also serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and National Quality Forum to formulate new treatment and prevention guidelines for venous thromboembolism.  In November 2006, he served on a special NHLBI committee examining the pharmacogenetics of warfarin.

Jawed Fareed, PhD - Director, NATFjfareed@lumc.eduJawed Fareed is Professor of Pathology and Pharmacology and Director of the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Laboratories at Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.  Dr. Fareed's main research interest is the development of novel anticoagulant and antithrombotic drugs.  He is recognized for his role in the preclinical development and initiating the first clinical trials of low-molecular-weight heparin and antithrombin agents in acute coronary syndromes. In addition, he has authored and co-authored more than 400 publications in this area.

Dr. Fareed's professional affiliations include membership on the expert panel on biologicals for the World Health Organization, and fellowships of the American Heart Association, the American College of Angiology, and the Indian College of Interventional Cardiology.  He also is currently President of the South Asian Society of Atherosclerosis. Together with Professor Hans Klaus Breddin, Dr. Fareed founded the International Institute of Blood and Vascular Disorders, Frankfurt, Germany, of which he is currently the Associate Director.

Arthur A. Sasahara, MD - Director, NATFaasasahara@comcast.net Dr. Sasahara is Senior Physician, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, Emeritus, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.  Dr. Sasahara is currently Co-Director of the Venous Thromboembolism Research Group at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He obtained his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and his Residency in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Tufts, Harvard, and Yale University hospitals.  He held the positions of Chief of Cardiology and Chief of Medicine at the Harvard-affiliated West Roxbury Veterans Affairs Medical Center for almost 30 years, as well as being Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  In 1987, he began a 10 year leave of absence and joined Abbott Laboratories as the first Venture Head, Thrombolysis Research.  In 1993, he became Senior Venture Head and in 1995, Senior Medical Consultant, Research and Development, Pharmaceutical Products Division.  His major research interests are in the field of thrombolysis, hemostasis, and thrombosis.  His publications include approximately 300 scientific papers and 6 books. Dr. Sasahara serves as a member of the eThrombosis Review Board.

John Fanikos, RPh, MBA - Director and Treasurer, NATFjfanikos@partners.org John Fanikos, RPh, MBA, is the Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA. He is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at both Northeastern University and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, where he received his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1984. He completed an American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited residency program at BWH in 1985 and received his M.B.A. from Northeastern University in 1994. He is a member of various professional societies, among them the ASHP, the Massachusetts Society of Health System Pharmacists, and the New England Council of Hospital Pharmacists. He currently represents the New England states on the Novation Clinical Pharmacy Council. He has served in a number of difference roles at BWH ranging from investigational drug pharmacist to inpatient and outpatient pharmacy supervisor, to clinical preceptor to pharmacy administrator. Through his pharmacy practice he has worked with orthopedic, oncology, cardiology, and general medicine patients. Over the past 10 years he has worked closely with the BWH Venous Thromboembolism Service and authored/co-authored many articles on the complications of anticoagulation therapy. 

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Joseph S. Alpert, MD jalpert@u.arizona.edu Professor and Head, Department of Medicine; University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona USA

Shannon M. Bates MDCM, MSc, FRCP(C) batesm@mcmaster.ca Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Director, Adult Hematology Residency Training Program; McMaster University Medical Centre; Hamilton, ON CANADA: Dr. Bates serves as a member of the eThrombosis Review Board.

Kenneth A. Bauer, MDkbauer@bidmc.harvard.edu Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief, Hematology Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Director, Thrombosis Clinical Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Division of Hemostasis and Thrombosis; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Boston, Massachetts USA

Henry I. Bussey, Pharm.D., FCCP, FAHA bussey@gcresearch.com Genesis Clinical Research (president) and ClotCare (co-founder and senior editor); Professor, Div. Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; San Antonio, Texas USA

Russell Hull, MD Russell.hull@calgaryhealthregion.ca Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Thrombosis Research Unit; Foothills Hospital; Calgary, Alberta CANADA

Stephen Fredd, MD sfreddmd@aol.com Dr. Fredd joined the Food and Drug Administration in 1980. At FDA he held a number of leadership positions, and was the Founder and Director of the Division of Gastrointestinal and Coagulation Drug Products during his tenure. He retired from FDA in 2002, and is currently a consultant on drug development and the approval process at FDA to various interested constituencies. Dr. Fredd serves as a member of the eThrombosis Review Board.

Russell Hull, MD Russell.hull@calgaryhealthregion.ca Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Thrombosis Research Unit; Foothills Hospital; Calgary, Alberta CANADA

Carlos Jerjes-Sanchez Diaz, MD jerjes@prodigy.net.mx Head, Emergency Care Department; Hospital de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares y del Torax; Association National Cardiologists of Mexico; Monterrey, Nuevo Leaon, Mexico.

Kenneth Leeper, MD ken.leeper@emoryhealthcare.org Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University; Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit and Respiratory Services; Section Chief, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine; Chairman, Emory Crawford Long Hospital Critical Care Committee; Emory Crawford Long Hospital; Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Geno Merli, MD - Committee Chair, NATF geno.merli@jefferson.edu Professor of Medicine; Director Jefferson Center for Vascular Disease, Jefferson Medical College; Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Gundu Rao, PhD gundurao9@gamil.com Professor; Lillehei Heart Institute, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology; University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, Minnesota USA.

Farzaneh Sorond, MD, PhD fsorond@partners.org Instructor, Harvard Medical School, Neurologist, Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology Stroke Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts USA

Paul D. Stein, MD steinp@trinity-health.org Director of Research Education; St. Joseph Mercy Oakland; Pontiac, Michigan USA; Dr. Fredd serves as a member of the eThrombosis Review Board.

Jeanine M. Walenga, PhD - Committee Vice Chair, NATF jwaleng@lumc.edu Professor, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine; Departments of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Pathology; Co-Director of the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Laboratories; Director, Serotonin Release Assay Laboratory; Loyola University Medical Center; Maywood, Illinois, USA.

Jeffrey I. Weitz, MD jweitz@thrombosis.hhscr.org Professor of Medicine, McMaster University; Director, Experimental Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Programme; Henderson Research Center; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Ann K. Wittkowsky, PharmD, CACP, FASHP, FCCPakwitt@u.washington.edu Clinical Professor of Pharmacy; University of Washington School of Pharmacy; Director, Anticoagulation Services; University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle, Washington, USA.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Henri M. Bounameaux, MDPresident of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis in 2007.  Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cantonal, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.

Benjamin Brenner, MDThrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

Sylvia Haas, MDInstitut für Experimentelle Onkologie, Technische Universität München, Germany.

Stavros Konstantinides, MDDepartment of Cardiology and Pulmonary Medicine, Georg August University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.

Ajay K. Kakkar, MD, PhDBarts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry; Consultant Surgeon, St. Bartholomews Hospital, London; Director, Designate, Thrombosis Research Institute; Professor of Surgical Sciences; Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology; Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK.

Vijay V. Kakkar, MDFirst President, Emeritus Member, of the South Asian Society on Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, Director, Thrombosis Research Institute, London, UK.

PATIENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Jose Alvarez-Stellingjalvarez@NATFonline.org Jose Alvarez-Stelling is committed improving treatment standards on a global scale.

Liz Alucklaluck@NATFonline.org In September 2007, at the age of 32, Liz suffered a DVT that resulted in a Pulmonary Embolism. She was later diagnosed as having Factor V Leiden, and will need to be on blood thinners for life. Because of her personal experience with venous thromboembolism, raising awareness has become her priority.

Heidi Blongastainerhblongastainer@natfonline.org In July 2005, after a prolonged hospitalization from a tragic automobile accident in which she lost her unborn child, Heidi suffered a DVT and PE. Since that time, she has been a vocal patient advocate promoting thrombosis awareness. In May 2006, Heidi participated in the Surgeon General’s Workshop on DVT prevention held in Washington, DC.

Kelly Clarkkclark@NATFonline.org Kelly Clark suffers from DVT and was hospitalized with a Pulmonary Embolism in early 2007 after knee surgery.  It has now become her passion to raise awareness, educate and improve medical standards on Thrombosis.

Jennifer Combs, MSN, ARNPjcombs@NATFonline.org As a healthcare provider and a survivor of a massive pulmonary embolism in 2003, Jennifer Combs is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting education of the public about DVT and pulmonary embolism.

Henry Hagopianhhagopian@NATFonline.org In August 2007, at the age of 39, Henry developed a DVT. A "Bakers Cyst" in his knee coupled with multiple business trips by air across the country led to the formation of the clot. He is now determined to become an outspoken advocate for education and ensuring consistent levels of care outside major medical centers.

Mike Hefronmhefron@NATFonline.org Mike has been an outspoken patient advocate since his personal experience with DVT in 2003. His goal is to expand awareness of venous thromboembolism and urge people to listen.

Mark Lindsaymlindsay@NATFonline.org Mark Lindsay is a member of the original Pulmonary Embolism Support Group founded by Dr. Sam Goldhaber and Ruth Morrison, RN at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Mark's emphasis is in preventing people from becoming "patients" in the first place.

Ruth B. Morrison, RN, BSN, CVNrmorrison@NATFonline.org Ruth Morrison is Clinical Research Coordinator for the Venous Thromboembolism Research Group and co-founder of the Pulmonary Embolism Support Group with Dr. Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD.

Walter Jenkins wjenkins@NATFonline.org In the spring of 2007, Walter suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack).  As a new member of NATF’s Advocacy Committee, he is determined to learn more about his disease and help others avoid the effects of thromboembolism.

STAFF

Ilene Sussman, PhD - Executive Director, NATFisussman@NATFonline.org Ilene Sussman holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. She began her career began in basic scientific research focusing on the underlying causes of biological disorders, later shifting her research skills to biotechnology.  Concurrent to her professional work, Dr. Sussman served as a lay leader in the non-profit community.  She realized that good business and management models could be beneficially transferred to the non-profit sector.  With the deep desire to have a more direct impact on changing people’s lives, in 2000 Dr. Sussman entered the non-profit sector when Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), the largest Jewish non-profit agency in New England, created a position for her, Project Manager and Liaison for CJP’s educational arm.  In 2004, several CJP Board Members and major donors invited Dr. Sussman to help found a new organization, “DAF: Jewish Day School Advocacy Forum”. As Executive Director of DAF, Dr. Sussman oversaw a market research study; documented a strategic plan; developed a business plan; arranged and managed public events, workshops, lectures, brainstorming sessions, and other activities; created buy-in among community groups, schools, and stakeholders, and educated professionals who could help achieve the mission. 

Kim Mahnoney - Program Director, NATFkmahoney@NATFonline.org During her tenure as Project Manager of the Venous Thromboembolism Research Group at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Kim Mahoney helped establish the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF) as a Founding Officer and later as the organizations first Executive Director. With the welcome addition of Ilene Sussman, PhD as Executive Director in March 2008, Kim has transitioned to Program Director of NATF and is responsible for program organization, marketing, advertising, website and event management..