Foundation of the NLA Update: Big Things Happening!

The Foundation of the NLA did something a little different this year – instead of hosting a black-tie gala event, we opted for a more casual affair, filled with light bites and vintage arcade games! The evening was full of good conversation, and friendly competition. We appreciate those who made it to our event to support our efforts educating patients on lipid-related health problems. The game night entrees and silent auction donations netted the Foundation $10,400 in just one night! We thank those who donated to the silent auction, and to those who purchased the items, among them autographed memorabilia, jewelry, lipid texts, and much more!

The Foundation board has some short and quite a few long-term goals to achieve, a few being:

Take Health to Heart

The Foundation collaboration with the National Medical Association is well underway, with resources available online at https://takehealthtoheart.org/. The first webinar launched January 25, 2023. The next webinar will discuss Women and Children, featuring Martha Gulati, MD and Mary McGowan, MD, moderated by Ann Liebeskind, MD. Future webinar topics in planning/consideration include:

• Rural health 
• South Asian health 

As a reminder, the campaign policy components include:

Pediatric Lipids Webpage
The Foundation has received funding from Regeneron to develop a pediatric lipids webpage at learnyourlipids.com/heart-healthy-resources/pediatric-lipid-disorders/. The page focuses on standards for lipid testing and the diagnosis and management of lipid disorders in children, including inherited lipid disorders. Covered disorders presently include:

1. Familial Hypercholesterolemia
2. Hypertriglyceridemia
3. Lipodystrophy

Faculty helming this project are Amy Peterson, MD, Joe Nardolillo, PharmD, Nivedita Patini, MD, Justin Zachariah

Adventures in Cholesterol
The Foundation is collaborating with Coraggio, LLC to distribute 10,000 copies of the Adventures in Cholesterol: Based on a True Story graphic novel to those involved in the care of and specialization in pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, and pediatric family medicine for distribution to their patients. Adventures in Cholesterol is a graphic novel geared towards educating patients, including children, on the importance of understanding their cholesterol. The authors of Adventures in Cholesterol: Based on a True Story are William Liebeskind, Zachary Liebeskind, and Ann Liebeskind, MD. This outreach effort is sponsored by Regeneron. The mailing is anticipated for November 2023.

The Foundation is excited to announce a new slate of officers and board directors: 

Officers - Term Expiring 2024
President: James Underberg, MD, FNLA
Vice President: Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA
Secretary: Marlys Koschinsky, PhD, FNLA
Treasurer: Lori Alexander, RDN, CRRC, FNLA
Past President: Anne C. Goldberg, MD, FNLA

At-Large Directors - Term Expiring 2024
Ronald Codario, MD, FNLA
James Falko, MD, FNLA
Linda Hemphill, MD, FNLA
Matthew Ito, PharmD, FNLA
Joyce Ross, CRNP, FNLA

At-Large Directors - Term Expiring 2025
Bob Rambo
Scott Merryman, MD, FNLA
Noreen Nazir, MD
Natalia Pyslar, MD, FNLA
Lauren Williams, MCN, RDN, LD

We would like to thank the outgoing board members for their service, some of which amounts to over a decade of dedication to the Foundation: 
Lynne T. Braun, PhD, FNLA
Alan Brown, MD, FNLA
Michael Davidson, MD, FNLA
Keith Ferdinand, MD, FNLA
Robert A. Wild, MD, FNLA
Don Wilson, MD, FNLA
Paul E. Ziajka, MD, FNLA

We look forward to seeing NLA members participating in Foundation initiatives over the next year. Stay tuned to learnyourlipids.org and (FNLA social handles) for updates on Foundation of the NLA projects.