PRF Spokespeople
Steve, Sandy, Megan, Michaela and Josh Nighbor
PRF's Ambassador Family
In April 2005, the family of 5-year-old Megan Nighbor was named PRF's Ambassador Family. The Nighbors are an integral part of PRF's efforts to raise public awareness, involve other families in our programs, and fundraise for research, and we appreciate the time and effort they put into these important activities. Here's how Steve and Sandy describe their family:
Steve, Megan's dad, works as a Wastewater Manager at Wisconsin's Alto Dairy Cooperative, a great company that works with the family through Megan's doctors appointments. He enjoys shooting pool, fishing with the family, trap shooting with son Josh, playing cards, and keeping his pride and joy - a lush green lawn - perfectly mowed! He also helps coach Pee-Wee Baseball for daughter Michaela and attends all of Josh's football games.
Sandy, Megan's mom, works at Ted's Piggly Wiggly as a Computer Pricing Coordinator, and also enjoys the wonderful group of fellow employees and understanding bosses. She keeps busy running the household, bringing Michaela to bowling and other after school activities, Josh to football practice and Megan to physical therapy, and just trying to keep up with Megan's boundless energy! Sandy enjoys picking up a pool stick occasionally too, but mostly enjoys the time with the family. "We try to make everything a family gathering", she says.
Joshua is Megan's 15-year-old brother, will be a Sophomore at Markesan High school, and is looking forward to driving lessons ("He is, we're NOT", says Sandy!) Josh plays football, loves hunting and trap shooting, video games and helping a neighbor with his race car.
Michaela is Megan's big sister! She just completed 1st grade at Markesan Elementary School, likes playing with her Siberian Husky. Kota, playing baseball, riding bike, fishing (even putting the worms on herself!), playing with her friends, jumping on Aunt Jodi's trampoline, and spending time with Aunt Sue! She is signed up for swimming lessons this summer and maybe basketball Camp - "if there's anything going on - Michaela wants to be involved!" says her proud mom. Michaela wants to be a dolphin trainer or a vet when she grows up.
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Megan and Michaela enjoy a favorite food - french fries!
Photo courtesy of the Markesan Regional Reporter |
Audrey Gordon, Esq.
President and Executive Director
Audrey Gordon, Esq., is President and Executive Director of The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. She oversees all administrative aspects of the non-profit foundation, the only organization in the world solely dedicated to finding the cause, treatment and cure for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS or Progeria). Ms. Gordon oversees the board of directors meetings, fund-raising events, grant writing and administration, medical research projects and volunteer programs.
Ms. Gordon is a graduate of Tufts University and Northeastern University School of Law, and is an attorney licensed to practice in Massachusetts since 1988 and Florida since 1990. She has extensive civil litigation experience in both states. She is a past Trustee of Temple Beth Shalom in Peabody, Massachusetts, a member of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the Peabody Board of Registrars since 2006. She is the 2004 winner of the North of Boston Business and Professional Women of the Year award for non-profit organizations, and the 2005 recipient of the Mary Upton Ferrin Award for leadership in her community. She will also be honored as a Community Hero by Jewish Family Services in April 2009.
Leslie Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director
Leslie Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., is an Instructor of Pediatrics at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I., and an Assistant Professor on at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, where she conducts her research on Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS or Progeria), a rare, fatal genetic condition characterized by accelerated aging in children.
Dr. Gordon is a co-founder of The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. (PRF) and serves as the organization's medical director. She is also Executive Director of the PRF Genetics Consortium, a group of twenty scientists whose common goal is to find the genetic cause, treatment and cure for Progeria.
Dr. Gordon is the Principal Investigator on three ongoing grant projects, including the creation of a medical and research database for Progeria, PRF's Cell and Tissue bank, and the forthcoming PRF Diagnostics Center. Dr. Gordon is also a member of PRF's Public Education and Public Awareness Committee and the PRF Medical Research Committee.
Dr. Gordon earned her bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. She went on to receive a master's degree and medical and doctorate degrees from Brown University and the Brown University School of Medicine respectively, where she achieved top honors in the medical program.
Scott D. Berns, M.D., MPH, FAAP
Chair, Board of Directors
Scott D. Berns, M.D., MPH, FAAP, joined the March of Dimes national office staff in 2001 and is currently Vice President of Chapter Programs. He directs the Planning and Community Services Division, which includes program planning and chapter community grants. In addition, Dr. Berns oversees the NICU Family Support® project. He also served for five years on the Board of the Rhode Island chapter of the March of Dimes.
Dr. Berns is a co-founder of The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. (PRF), serves as its Chairman of the Board, and is chair of PRF's Education and Public Awareness Committee. In addition, he serves on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics. He is also on the Board of the Genetic Alliance. In 2001, Dr. Berns completed a one-year White House Fellowship where he served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Dr. Berns is a pediatric emergency physician and was Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I., for seven years. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Berns received a bachelor's degree magna cum laude, and a medical degree from Boston University. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Rhode Island Hospital and was the youngest board certified pediatrician in Rhode Island. He completed a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and earned a master's in public health, with a concentration in health policy and management, from the Harvard School of Public Health.
In Memory of John Tacket, PRF's first Youth Ambassador
16-year-old John Tacket, PRF's first Youth Ambassador, passed away Wednesday, March 3rd, 2004. John was an incredible person who never let his condition slow him down. In between his school activities, work and passion for the drums, he welcomed talking to others, especially kids, about Progeria because he felt it was important that people be educated about it. John was a key member of the panel that announced the Progeria gene finding in April 2003 in Washington, DC. He answered reporters' questions and commented that it was an exciting time for him and his friends. We are proud to have known John and PRF is forever grateful for his contributions in raising awareness about Progeria and the work of PRF. He was an inspiration to us all. John will be missed greatly.