In honor of our 61st Annual Meeting & Educational Seminar coming up on October 30th, we would like to introduce you to our keynote speaker, Mazen Dimachkie, M.D. Dr. Dimachkie has played a critical role in the myasthenia gravis (MG) community and will present on the changing landscape of treatment options for MG.
Meet Dr. Dimachkie
What is your name? Where are you from?
MD: My name is Mazen M. Dimachkie. I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. I completed my medical education at the American University of Beirut in 1988 then came to the United States. I completed my residency training in Neurology then fellowship in EMG and Neuromuscular Diseases at the University of Texas – Houston Medical School in 1994.
What is your role in the MG community?
MD: As an MG clinician scientist, my contribution to the MG community is multifaceted. Training the next generation of MG experts is important through the Neuromuscular Medicine fellowship that I established in 2008 and direct. In addition, it is an honor to be invited to national and international meetings to disseminate knowledge about new MG discoveries to the patient community and to clinicians taking care of MG patients. I have a passion for moving the research and discovery in MG as I am the site PI for MG studies. Ultimately, excellence in patient care is the goal and serving on the MGA Medical Advisory Committee is an honor.
Can you describe your role in the MG community?
MD: Mazen M. Dimachkie, M.D. is Professor of Neurology & Chief of the Neuromuscular Division at The University of Kansas Health System. I also serve as Executive Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman for Research at the University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
How long have you been involved with the MGA?
MD: I have collaborated with the MGA since I joined KU Neurology in 2007.
What drove you to support the MGA community?
MD: MG is a treatable disease. Many research advances are improving the lives of people struggling with MG. Most of all, the patients are amazing to care for and support.
What are your favorite aspects of the work you conduct with MGA?
MD: My favorite aspect is the collaborative spirit and support by the MGA of our clinic patients. Having Tanya Renner be part of our clinics with the support of Allison Foss is essential to our success.
Prior to collaborating with the MGA, had you heard of myasthenia gravis?
MD: As a clinician scientist, I have cared for MG patients since 1994. The MGA is doing such an amazing job supporting our MG community.
What have you learned as a result of being involved with the MGA? Has myasthenia gravis, the MGA, and/or MG patients impacted your own life?
MD: I am always impressed by the commitment of MGA to support the patient and physician community.
What are you looking forward to as we head into the new year for the MGA?
MD: The MGA success has been growing year after year. It is a dynamic organization with excellent leadership. I expect MGA will continue on this path of success.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
MD: I am also grateful to the MGA for supporting our MG research so that we can improve the lives of people with MG. This is an AMAZING partnership.
Thank you, Dr. Dimachkie for your continued support. We look forward to hearing you speak!
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