The International Essential Tremor Foundation Welcomes New Executive Director
Lenexa, Kan. (PRWEB) August 10, 2015 -- The Board of Directors of the International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) announces that after 18 years of leadership, Catherine S. Rice is retiring as Executive Director of the organization dedicated to providing assistance to people living with the most common movement disorder, essential tremor. Throughout her tenure, Cathy has increased the IETF’s reach to over 100,000 people around the world. Cathy, along with now retired Kansas House Representative Dennis Moore, in 2010 achieved formal designation for the month of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month. In the last 10 years, she has facilitated 380 free ET patient education events in cities across the U.S., educating over 35,000 people. Cathy also established a college scholarship program for students having a diagnosis of ET, as well as an ET research grant program that has awarded $1 million, thus far, for promising ET studies conducted by medical investigators. "We cannot thank her enough for her vision, dedication, and commitment to the IETF," Kelly Lyons, IETF Board President, said.
To continue the IETF's desire to further the mission, the Board is pleased to announce Patrick McCartney as the new IETF Executive Director, effective Aug. 17, 2015. Patrick brings over 20 years of experience with non-profit organizations. He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association. Previously, Patrick was Vice President of Marketing at the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce. His work experience focused on board relations, fiscal management, marketing and communications, and fundraising. Please join us in welcoming Patrick to the IETF. With your support, we are confident that he will continue the excellence of the IETF.
One of Cathy’s passions at the IETF was to recognize the achievements of students dealing with ET. To honor and help continue Cathy’s work with college students, the Board is pleased to announce the establishment of the Catherine S. Rice Scholarship Fund. This fund will be used to award four scholarships to deserving students both in the fall and winter semesters. For anyone wishing to recognize the dedication of Cathy, the Board encourages donations to this fund, in her honor. Information about the fund is available at http://www.essentialtremor.org/about-the-ietf/scholarships or 1-888-387-3667. Donations and/or notes to Cathy can also be mailed to IETF, C/O Catherine S. Rice Scholarship Fund, PO Box 14005, Lenexa, KS 66285-4005.
About The International Essential Tremor Foundation:
Headquartered in Lenexa, KS, and founded in 1988, the International Essential Tremor Foundation is the leading organization in the world dedicated to those affected by essential tremor. The mission of the IETF is to fund research that will find the cause of essential tremor and lead to better treatments and a cure, increase awareness about ET, and provide educational materials, tools and support to healthcare providers, the public, and those directly affected by ET.
The IETF has distributed more than $830,000 in research grants, to fund 33 promising studies, in the search for the cause of ET. The Foundation has hosted numerous community awareness events across the U.S. to provide those affected with the basic knowledge necessary to become their own advocate when seeking treatment. And, the IETF also provides assistance to a vast network of support groups around the world. To learn more about essential tremor and the IETF mission, visit the IETF website at http://www.essentialtremor.org.
Catherine Rice, International Essential Tremor Foundation, http://www.essentialtremor.org, +1 888-387-3667, [email protected]
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