National Pancreas Foundation Announces New Chairman of Board of Directors
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Dana K. Andersen, MD, FACS
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The National Pancreas Foundation is proud to announce Dana K.Andersen, MD, FACS as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Dr. Andersen has replaced Joseph Titlebaum, JD who previously served from 2009-2019. Dr. Andersen was appointed on May 4, 2019, at the annual Board of Directors meeting. We hope through this Q&A, readers will understand Dr. Andersen's passion and advocacy for pancreas disease and his work as well as receiving new Netflix recommendations.
What made you decide to get into internal medicine and general surgery? Did you always want to be a doctor?
I really enjoyed biology in high school, when I was able to dissect out intact the semi-circular canals (the balance organ) of a dogfish shark. In college (at Duke) I was a combined chemistry and psychology major, and was president of the Pre-Medical Society. We had to sign up new members all at once during Activity Sign-up Week, so we organized a special film program on Natural Childbirth, moderated by one of the Ob-Gyn residents. It was a huge success, we packed the auditorium, although a few students fainted during the film.
When you are not working with the NPF, where can people find you?
I am a Scientific Program Manager in the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the NIH. People are welcome to contact me at info@pancreasfoundation.org.
How did you first get involved with the NPF?
John Lieb, MD invited me to speak at the Fellows’ Symposium in 2011, and I thought this is a terrific program for GI Fellows. When it started there were only 15-20 attendees, but now there are twice as many applicants as can be accommodated. (For 2019, there were 50 Fellows) I want to help find a way to enlarge this program and attract Fellows and junior faculty from multiple specialties.
Why do you think it's important for patient, family members, and physicians to support the NPF?
Disease-oriented foundations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and PanCAN have made a tremendous impact on awareness and funding for pancreatic and breast disease. The NPF should be a leader in this effort because pancreatic diseases are poorly understood by the general public, clinical expertise in this area is spotty, and a greater investment in research is essential.
What are your other passions outside of pancreas disease?
My other scientific passion is the role of simulation in medical and surgical care. Although simulation has been accepted as a great method for training in all of the medical and allied medical fields, it has yet to be embraced by practicing clinicians. If airline pilots use it enthusiastically, how can we get doctors to do the same?
Who inspires you?
My inspiration comes from some great mentors who taught me in medicine, surgery, and clinical research, and from my patients.
What are you bingeing on Netflix right now?
I am not much of a TV watcher, but I loved the series Borgen, shot in Denmark, and a well-done mystery series like Highlanders and The Shetlands, shot in Sweden and Scotland. Perhaps it’s because my father’s family came from Denmark, and I love the country.
What do you want people to know about pancreas disease?
There is such a great need to educate people about pancreatic diseases, and help to find better ways to diagnose and treat these diseases, and to help patients get the best care. The fact that more people die of pancreatic cancer than breast cancer is largely unknown, and the absence of any drugs to treat acute or chronic pancreatitis is a major disappointment scientifically. We have lots of work to do to correct these deficits.
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Education and advocacy are part of the National Pancreas Foundation's (NPF) mission. Please see the list of events that are coming up throughout the year. We hope you are able to join us! For a complete list, please see our
Events Page
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PATIENT EDUCATION EVENTS
- Georgia Chapter Education Event | Atlanta, GA | August, 11, 2019
- Indiana Chapter Education Event | Indianapolis, IN | September 14, 2019*
- Illinois Chapter Education Event | Chicago, IL | September 21, 2019*
- Iowa Chapter Education Event | Iowa City, IA | October 5, 2019*
- Michigan Chapter Education Event | October 19, 2019
*Save the date! More details to follow.
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SUPPORT GROUPS
If you would like to establish a support group in your city, please contact National Chapter Manager, Patrick Salami at psalami@pancreasfoundation.org.
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CHAPTER EVENTS
- Fighting Pancreatic Disease is no Trivial Matter | Mt. Prospect, IL | June 2, 2019
- Strike-Out Pancreas Disease Louisiana Chapter | New Orleans | June 9, 2019
- Earl D. Hoover Memorial Golf Tournament | Carmel, IN | August 3, 2019
- Western PA Courage for a Cure Gala | Pittsburgh, PA | September 13, 2019
- Marine Corps Marathon & 10K | Washington, DC | October 27, 2019
- Strike-Out Pancreas Disease Indiana Chapter | Noblesville, IN | November 3, 2019
- Party for a Cure - Boston | Boston, MA | November 13, 2019*
- Strike-Out Pancreas Disease Minnesota Chapter | November 16, 2019*
*Save the date! More details to follow.
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Has running a 10K or marathon been on your bucket list? Want a running tour of the Nation's Capital? The NPF has been chosen as a charity partner for the 2019 Marine Corps Marathon/10K in Washington, DC on October 27, 2019.
We are looking for runners to run and raise research dollars for the NPF. To find out more, please
click here
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Join the NPF Georgia Chapter on August 11th to learn about pancreatic cancer from diagnosis, through surgery and long-term recovery. After the education event, there will be an opportunity to attend the Atlanta United FC match v. NYCFC. The team is offering NPF Pancreatic Cancer Education participants an exclusive offer. For more information, please
CLICK HERE
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Strike - Out Pancreas Disease Louisiana a Knock-Down Success!
By Jane Macke, Louisiana Chapter Chair
The NPF Louisiana Chapter held its first Strike Out Pancreas Disease bowling fundraiser on June 9, 2019, at the historic Rock N Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over 120 people attended the event and enjoyed live music, bowling, and a New Orleans style buffet. The event raised over $13,000. Bywater Rock Group (BRG) entertained the guests, performing rock classics and zydeco music. Members of The Dance Connection performed several dance routines and led the guests in a second line, while BRG played. All attendees received "swag" bags, which included a tee shirt, second line handkerchief, and bowling socks. Everyone enjoyed a delicious New Orleans style buffet catered by Rock N Bowl and Ye Old College Inn, which featured shrimp remoulade, fried seafood, red beans and rice and bread pudding. There was a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction, which included preseason Saints tickets, donated by Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company, two beautiful cuff bracelet sets donated by Rustic Cuff, botox and body sculpting gift certificates donated by NOLA Dermatology, and gift certificates to several local restaurants and local tourist attractions.
Dr. Janak Shah, Director of Advanced Endoscopy at Oschner Medical Center, presented Courage Awards to Michelle Benoit and Seth Rodivich. Michelle, who underwent a total pancreatectomy with auto islet transplant two years ago, received the adult Courage Award. Seth, a junior in high school, received the youth Courage award. Seth was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, due to a Spink 1 mutation and pancreatic divisum.
The Louisiana chapter would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to our hosts, John Blancher and Rock N Bowl, and our underwriting sponsors, Evelyn Benoit and Sally Roussell, for their generosity and support. We would also like to thank Bywater Rock Group for sharing their time and talent with us. We also extend our thanks to The Dance Connection for participating in the event. A special thanks goes to all our sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants for their support and involvement. Personally, as Chapter Chair, I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to Michelle Benoit, Jeana Rodivich, Karen Breath, Patrick Salami, Jennifer Welliver and Cody Welliver.
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It's coming - Color It Purple where we raise awareness for pancreas disease! You have hair? Color it purple! Have purple clothes? Nails? Choose purple! (You get the idea)
Why? Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and accounts for about 3% of all cancers and about 7% of all cancer deaths. It is the only major cancer with a 5-year relative survival rate in the single digits, at 9%. Pancreatitis is a rare disease that most people (even physicians) know nothing about. It also difficult to diagnose, and treatments are therefore often delayed because the organ is relatively inaccessible and treatment options are few.
Through the Color It Purple Challenge (and campaign), we can raise awareness and donations to focus attention on the need for increased research funds for early detection, treatment, and care of pancreatic disease. To share your pictures, please go
HERE
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