PHA Chapters Honor Key Individuals Across the Country

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association would not be where it is today were it not for the countless healthcare professionals, volunteers, patients and other community members who go above and beyond in order to better the entire PH community. PHA strives to take every opportunity to honor and thank those who truly do amazing things for the community and the future of this disease. By mid-November, the four PHA chapters will have honored five individuals, respective to each geographical chapter area, who have made a tremendous impact on the national and global PH community.

Kathy Eberwein and PHA Executive 

Vice President, Carl Hicks

On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, the Lone Star Chapter hosted its inaugural O2 breathe gala in which they honored an individual who is a “PH Warrior” – Kathy Eberwein. Kathy, CEO of the Global Edge Consultants, watched as her father battled for every breath. Ultimately, her father lost his battle with PH four years ago. While others might turn away from the struggle against this disease in grief, Kathy faced the challenge head-on, pledging to help others battling this disease. “She epitomizes each and every one of the core values of Texas Executive Women, and she does it with an unexcelled grace and ease that is beyond exceptional,” says PHA Executive Vice President Carl Hicks.

Dr. Ronald Oudiz

On Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, the California Chapter will honor Dr. Ronald Oudiz, of Harbor UCLA Medical Center, at the Hallowood Affair on the grounds of a historic grand estate in Los Angeles, Calif. Dr. Oudiz will receive the California Chapter’s 2015 Legacy Award for his contributions to the pulmonary hypertension field. In 2011 Dr. Oudiz, a member of PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council, received the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Award of Excellence in PAH Care. He is a past editor-in-chief of PHA’s medical journal Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, and he is the current editor of Pulmonary Hypertension: A Patient’s Survival Guide.
          

At the Greater New York and Philadelphia Chapter’s Third Annual O2 breathe Gala on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, the chapter will honor two members of the community who have made a difference. Dr. Erika Berman-Rosenzweig, Medical Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center at Columbia University Medical Center - New York Presbyterian, will receive the Robyn J. Barst Award, while Dr. Farng-Yang Foo, a PH patient and associate professor in neurology at NYU Langone Medical Center, will receive the O2 breathe Award.

Dr. Erika Berman-Rosenzweig is considered an international expert in the field of pulmonary hypertension. She has been an active member of PHA and is currently on the PHA Board of Trustees, Chair of the Review Committee for the PH Care Center Accreditation Program, Chair–elect of the Scientific Leadership Council of PHA, and past Editor-in Chief of the medical journal Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Diagnosed his second year in medical school, Dr. Farng-Yang Foo has lived with PH for 17 years now. He has been active in fundraising for PHA for many years. He states his greatest accomplishment is raising his 2-year-old Xian and 8-month-old Jia.

                          

                            Dr. Erika Berman-Rosenzweig

              

                     Dr. Farng-Yang Foo

                                                                   
                
              



                                                               
    

Lastly, the Midwest Chapter will host its Second Annual O2 breathe Hearts PHor Hope Gala on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, where they will honor Dr. Murali Chakinala with the 2015 Heart PHor Hope Legacy Award. Dr. Chakinala is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. He is a member of PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council, the guiding body for PHA’s clinical, research and medical education activities, and also recently served as 2015 PHA on the Road: PH Patients and Families Education Forum Regional Committee Co-Chair for St. Louis.

Dr. Murali Chakinala

                                              _____________________________

Can you think of someone in the PHA community who deserves to be honored for their hard work? If so, you can nominate them to be a Periwinkle Pioneer for Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. Learn more and nominate someone today!