Former FDA Chief, Dr. David A. Kessler To Chair The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Board Of Directors

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Thursday, 24 January 2002

Prominent pediatrician will lead Foundation's efforts to improve the lives of children worldwide through pediatric research, training and advocacy-

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation announced the election of former FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, M.D. to chair its Board of Directors today. Philip A. Pizzo, M.D., another nationally renowned pediatrician, has been named vice chairman.

Trained as a pediatrician, Dr. Kessler is currently the dean of the Yale University School of Medicine. Before his appointment to Yale, Dr. Kessler served as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration where he spearheaded efforts to accelerate drug review, improve food labels and curb teenage tobacco use. Dr. Pizzo currently serves as the dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to that Dr. Pizzo was physician-in-chief of Children's Hospital in Boston and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Pizzo is also well known for his leadership positions with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute.

"I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Even in its earliest days, the Foundation had tremendous impact. It has turned a personal tragedy into a major international organization with tremendous influence, a solid track record, wonderful leadership, and an incredibly talented Board," said Dr. David Kessler. "While the Foundation has grown, its passion and commitment towards ensuring better medical treatments for children has remained paramount. The Foundation has retained its agility and ability to respond quickly in fulfilling critical needs in children's health – whether it is preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, training the next generation of pediatric researchers, or serving as a tireless advocate for children's health issues on Capitol Hill. We're investing in children's health and we know what needs to be done. This is an incredible time for the Foundation, and I am excited to be leading the organization through its next chapter in creating a healthier future for children worldwide."

Paul Glaser, who has been serving as chair of the Foundation's board for the past six years, is stepping into the new role of honorary chairman, where he will serve as a strategic advisor.

"Since its inception, I watched this Foundation grow from three moms around a kitchen table into an organization that has been able to truly affect change for children around the world through its research, education and advocacy initiatives," said Paul Glaser. "But there is much work that still needs to be done on behalf of children worldwide. When you combine the powerful leadership of Drs. Kessler and Pizzo, the passion and commitment of co-founder Susie Zeegen, the incredible talent of our board and staff, and the generosity of our donors, I have no doubt that the work and impact of the Foundation is only just beginning."

"When we first started the Foundation, we actively sought out the advice and involvement of great minds and leaders in their field such as Drs. Kessler and Pizzo," said Susie Zeegen, co-founder of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. "They were there for us when our goal was about saving the life of just one child. They were there for us as the Foundation expanded its reach and its mission to do more for more children. And they are there for us today, as the Foundation embarks upon its next chapter. With the dedication, guidance and leadership of Drs. Kessler and Pizzo, I am confident that the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is going save the lives of countless thousands of children around the world."

"We are delighted to have Drs. Kessler and Pizzo on board to lead the Foundation into the future. There are no better advocates for children's health." said Kate Carr, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's president and chief executive officer. "We have an aggressive agenda ahead of us as we strengthen our commitment to pediatric HIV/AIDS research, expand our international programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the developing world, and further develop our clinical research network studying other serious and life-threatening diseases. Drs. Kessler and Pizzo with their vast knowledge and experience will provide the leadership the Foundation needs to make an even greater impact on children's health."

The Foundation also announces three new members have been named to the Board of Directors. The new board members are entertainment executive Mark Burnett (Survivor, Eco-Challenge), Russ Hagey, partner and managing director of Bain & Company, and the Foundation's CEO Kate Carr. Ms. Carr has also been named president of the Foundation.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is the leading worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying, funding, and conducting pediatric HIV/AIDS research as well as promoting global education, awareness and compassion about HIV/AIDS in children. In addition, the Foundation is committed to working on other serious and life threatening diseases facing children through the newly created Glaser Pediatric Research Network. The Network brings together five of the nation's pre-eminent academic medical centers in an unprecedented collaboration that will accelerate better treatments for seriously ill children, help train the next generation of pediatric clinical investigators, and serve as a united voice to advocate policies that improve children's health worldwide. Since 1988, the Foundation has raised more than $130 million to ensure that children are at the forefront of every scientific breakthrough.

For more information, or to contact Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, see their website at: www.pedaids.org