(Please note that we are still under construction. Some of the items are under review and have not yet been placed on the website. We encourage you to visit again to see what new information we have added. We also welcome any suggestions you may have that will allow us to better meet your needs. Thank you for your patience!)
Welcome!
We trust you will
find this information on Myasthenia Gravis helpful and informative.
Developed with the assistance and guidance from members of our Medical
Advisory Board, and the generous support of our members and corporate
sponsors, we invite you to become a part of our community of patients,
families, and healthcare providers.
Join with us in
the search for a cure - because you can make a difference! Contact
our Program Director, Ms. Phyllis Birckhead, at 434/295-9861 or
email her at PMBirckhead@earthlink.net
to receive a Patient Information Care Package and copies of our newsletter.
Purpose
The vision of
the MGFA and the Virginia Chapter is "A world without Myasthenia
Gravis." Our goal is to facilitate the timely diagnosis and optimal
care of individuals affected be Myasthenia Gravis and closely related
disorders and to improve their lives with programs of patient services,
public information, medical research, professional education, advocacy
and patient care.
Scope
This Webpage provides
information on a broad spectrum of services to persons requiring MG
information, including extensive services offered to members of the
Virginia/West Virginia MG Chapter. Requests for membership may be
made via the internet: (PMBirckhead@earthlink.net), by phone: 434/295-9861, or by mail: Phyllis Birckhead, Program Director, Virginia
Chapter, MGFA, 2304 Angus Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
Extensive medical
information is provided on Myasthenia Gravis including symptoms, diagnosis,
therapies, medications to avoid, severity, and the cancer connection
- Thymoma tumors that can be associated with Myasthenia.
Information to
assist in the care of the patient beyond medical therapies is provided
including nutrition, exercise, dental care - and cautions concerning
anesthetics, as well as suggestions for conserving your strength,
maintaining emotional health and dealing with potential emergency
or life threatening issues caused by Myasthenia.
Insurance and
disability information is provided as well as references to other
healthcare information resources. Selected information over time will
be added to the webpage including Patient Histories, Newsletter Articles,
Book Reviews, and Journal Articles that have been summarized or approved
for listing by the publisher.
Should you wish
to join us in the struggle to find a cure - and to help other MG patients
- a number of suggestions are offered including active participation
in our Chapter activities, sharing your own MG patient history through
our Newsletter and Webpage, as well as supporting our Corporate Sponsors
listed in this Webpage who generously contribute their services and
funds towards finding a cure.
Dedication
This Webpage is
dedicated to all of our MG patients, families, and caregivers. Though
the information provided we trust you will gain more knowledge and
understanding of Myasthenia, and be reassured that you are not alone,
but part of a larger family, a larger community that is dedicated
to life without Myasthenia. We also dedicate this page to those doctors
and nurses who give so generously of their time and lives in the service
of others and the tireless pursuit of finding a cure.
We remember Jane
Ellsworth who founded the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation and Jim and
Kate Board who began the Virginia chapter in 1978. We remember Diane
King who, though terminally ill in her battle with cancer, Lupus,
and Myasthenia, still cheerfully volunteered to support Chapter programs.
She became an example of strength and generosity of spirit for all
of us.
Lastly we salute
the leadership and dedicated services of Bob Colby, who over a period
of nine years as President, established a firm foundation for the
Chapter that makes this Webpage possible.
Acknowledgment
We wish to recognize
all those who have supported Chapter programs:
• Our
members, their families and friends who generously contributed to
our Chapter.
• Our Board members and Executive Officers who provided
direction and guidance in development of new Chapter programs and patient
services.
• Dr. Pamela Chavis, MD, of the Virginia College of Medicine,
Richmond; and Dr. Lawrence J. Phillips, MD, and Dr. Vern Jule, M.D., of the University of Virginia
Healthcare Center, Charlottesville, who generously have given their
time in advising us and reviewing the contents of this Webpage.
• Dan Marsh, our Treasurer, who consciously manages our finances and keeps us pointed in the right direction.
• Phyllis Birckhead, our Program Director, who organized
the transcribed the data going into this webpage in addition to all
the other tasks required to sustain Chapter operations.
• Damon Wainscoat, who provided outstanding assistance
in defining our computer system requirements.
• Pam Thomas, who though struggling with cancer and Myasthenia,
did an incredible job of collecting data for the Webpage.
• Paul Easton and Deborah Benz of Chappell Graphics in
Charlottesville, VA who have generously donated time, resources, and
outstanding professional support in the development of the Webpage.
• Our Support Group Leaders, Anita Steele, Karen Farmer,
and Georgiann Davis, who are in the front line of providing
patient assistance and community health education.
To all these and
many others, we share a debt of gratitude for service well done!
Chapter
Organization
The Virginia Chapter
of MGFA is led by a volunteer Board of Trustees. We have a half-time
Program Director who handles the administrative duties and coordinates
the production and distribution of or quarterly newsletter. The Program
Director also coordinates the establishment of new support groups,
responds to all inquiries for information and the distribution of
MG related materials.
Board
of Trustees and Officers
The Virginia Chapter
is led by a volunteer Board of Trustees that meet twice a year to
review established goals and additional needs for programs and services.
At this time we have the following individuals donating their valuable
time and efforts to the Virginia Chapter and the MG community at large.
Officers:
President - Ms. Georgiann C. Davis of Richmond, VA
Vice-president - Mrs. Anita Steele of Port Royal, VA
Treasurer - Mr. Daniel Marsh of Broad Run, VA
Secretary - Vacant
Board of Trustees:
Ms. Gwen Hancock of Richmond, VA
Mrs. Sheila Jones of Fairfax, VA
Mr. Tony Jones of Fairfax, VA
Mrs. Janet T. Marsh of Broad Run, VA
Medical Advisory Board Members:
Dr. Ted M. Burns, UVA Health System, Charlottesville, VA
Dr. Larry Phillips, II, UVA Health System, Charlottesville, VA
Dr. Scott Vota, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA
Program
Director
In October 2001,
Ms. Phyllis Birckhead was hired as a part-time Program Director to
handle the daily administrative duties of the office and to coordinate
the need to distribute educational materials and our quarterly newsletter
to patients and their families, caregivers, and health care professionals.
Our administrative office is located in Charlottesville, VA and can
be reached by phone, email, and fax. Our contact information is as follows:
Ms. Phyllis Birckhead,
Program Director
Virginia Chapter, MGFA
2304 Angus Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: (434) 295-9861
Fax: (434) 295-1909
Email: PMBirckhead@earthlink.net
Disclaimer
This website is
intended to provide the reader with general information to be used
solely for educational purposes. As such, it does not addresses individual
patient needs, and should not be used as a basis for decision making
concerning diagnosis, care, or treatment of any condition. Instead,
such decisions should be based upon the advice of a physician or health
care professional that is directly familiar with the patient. The
information contained on this website may reflect views by the different
authors, but not necessarily those of the Virginia Chapter or the
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). Any reference to a
particular product, source, or use does not constitute an endorsement.
MGFA, its agents, employees, Directors, Chapters, its Medical/Scientific
Advisory Board, and its Nurses Advisory Board, or its members make
no warranty concerning the information contained on this website.
They specifically disclaim any warranty of merchantability, fitness
for any particular purpose, or reliability regarding the information
contained herein, and assumes no responsibility for any damage or
liability resulting from the use of such information.
2304
Angus Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 434/295-9861
Fax: 434-295-1909
Last Updated on 7/6/07
