Michael S. Hershfield, M.D. Awarded the Boyle Scientific Achievement Award at Immune Deficiency Foundation 2013 National Conference

TOWSON, Md., June 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) announced today that Michael S. Hershfield, M.D. has been awarded the Boyle Scientific Achievement Award for 2013.  The award was presented during the Immune Deficiency Foundation's 2013 National Conference held June 27-29 in Baltimore, MD.

Established by IDF in 1992, The Boyle Scientific Achievement Award pays tribute to a member of the medical/scientific community who has extensively contributed toward improving the diagnosis and care of patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. 

Dr. Hershfield is a professor of medicine and biochemistry at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.  He has authored or co-authored nearly 100 research articles and case reports related to primary immunodeficiency diseases. Dr. Hershfield has also sparked collaboration with an international group of pediatric immunologists in efforts to reach a consensus on optimal therapy for patients with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) and other specific types of primary immunodeficiency diseases.

"For more than two decades, Dr. Hershfield's pioneering research efforts and generous donation of his expertise and laboratory testing of SCID blood samples have provided a vital global resource for diagnosing and treating ADA-deficient SCID and ruling it out in the others," said Rebecca Buckley, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Immunology at Duke University Medical Center and Chair of the IDF Medical Advisory Committee. "We are confident Dr. Hershfield's dedication to primary immunodeficiency will inspire other physicians and researchers by showing how scientific achievement can directly impact patients and lead to a better quality of life for people with these diseases."

Dr. Hershfield is an alumni of Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He has worked and taught at Duke University Medical Center since 1976.  

IDF National Conference Comes Back to Baltimore

The IDF's 2013 National Conference returns to Baltimore June 27-29.  The IDF held their first two national conferences here in 2001 and 2003. The conference is an opportunity for more than 1,200 individuals and family members living with primary immunodeficiency diseases to gain knowledge about their diseases from world-renowned immunologists, medical experts and life management experts. Attendees will learn about advancements in the diagnosis and treatment and gain skills needed to manage their healthcare. Patients and families will have the opportunity to meet other families who are dealing with the same challenges they are and learn about many useful resources.

About The Immune Deficiency Foundation

The Immune Deficiency Foundation, founded in 1980, is the national non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education and research.

There are approximately 250,000 people who have been diagnosed with a primary immunodeficiency disease in the United States. These individuals often find it difficult to receive specialized health care, proper diagnosis and treatment. They also experience difficulties financing their health care, finding educational materials and locating others with whom to share their experiences. IDF provides programs, services and publications for patients and families as well as for healthcare professionals caring for those living with primary immunodeficiency diseases. IDF works to address patient needs through public policy programs by focusing on issues such as insurance reimbursement, patient confidentiality, ensuring safety and availability of immunoglobulin therapy, and maintaining and enhancing patient access to treatment options.

To learn more about IDF, visit www.primaryimmune.org, or call 800.296.4433.

SOURCE Immune Deficiency Foundation