Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Expands With Two New Leadership Positions

Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry Announced

CHICAGO, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) today announced two key additions to their staff. Gregory P. Cosgrove, MD, has been named Chief Medical Officer and Kevin R. Flaherty, MD, MS, has been named Chairman of the Steering Committee of the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry. "We are pleased to expand our team with these key leadership positions," stated Daniel M. Rose, MD, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at the PFF. "Drs. Cosgrove and Flaherty are recognized leaders in the pulmonary fibrosis community and will help guide the patient initiatives important to our mission."

Dr. Gregory P. Cosgrove, a pulmonary physician at National Jewish Health, one of the leading respiratory hospitals in the nation, brings more than eleven years experience in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and interstitial lung disease to the PFF. "We were looking for someone very specific for our first Chief Medical Officer," said Dr. Rose. "Dr. Cosgrove brings leadership, experience, and expertise to the Foundation as well as his passion and dedication to those affected by pulmonary fibrosis."

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cosgrove will oversee medical affairs and serve as the primary medical consultant for the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry. He will advise in defining priorities, creating new initiatives, and enhancing existing programs to further the mission and objectives of the Foundation. Dr. Cosgrove will continue to practice medicine at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado-Denver.

Dr. Cosgrove has had a longstanding relationship with the Foundation. Since 2010 he has been on the PFF's Medical Advisory Board, and he has also served on the Research Advisory Committee. Additionally Dr. Cosgrove was a Co-Chair of the recent PFF Summit 2013: From Bench to Bedside.

Dr. Cosgrove commented, "I'm excited to contribute to the PFF at this important time. We are fulfilling the goal of building a broad network of care centers across the US. The centers will be delivering 'best practices' that will potentially improve patient care and help identify effective treatments for pulmonary fibrosis."

Dr. Cosgrove received his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and did a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Cosgrove is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Pulmonary Division at National Jewish Health and the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Dr. Kevin R. Flaherty is a pulmonary physician at the University of Michigan Health System. He will help guide the development and implementation of the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry as the Steering Committee Chairman. These two important initiatives will work synergistically to improve the lives and treatment options of those affected by PF. The PFF Care Center Network will include both academic medical centers and community-based clinics that have proven experience and expertise in the care of patients with fibrotic lung diseases and who utilize a multidisciplinary approach to deliver comprehensive patient care. The PFF Patient Registry is an online database of "de-identified" patient information to provide access to accurate, validated, and standardized patient information for use by qualified investigators to better understand the disease and develop more effective therapies. Dr. Flaherty's background in biostatistics and clinical studies will ensure that researchers can fully leverage the information gleaned from the Registry.

"Today there is tremendous interest in fibrotic disorders of the lung. It is an honor for me to participate in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation's development of the PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry. One of the strengths of these far-reaching programs is that they will help us learn more about the diverse range of lung fibroses and treat the wide scope of patients who suffer from them," said Dr. Flaherty.

Dr. Kevin R. Flaherty received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Indiana University and his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at University of Michigan. He also completed a master's degree program in Biostatistics and Clinical Study Design at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Dr. Flaherty is currently a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"The addition of Drs. Cosgrove and Flaherty are significant for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Their leadership will continue the work of the Foundation to identify and improve treatments for this devastating disease," said Patti Tuomey, PFF President and COO. "The PFF Care Center Network and PFF Patient Registry will have a significant impact in the understanding of the disease and improve the outcomes for our patient community. These programs are supported by the hard work and dedication of many in the pulmonary fibrosis community as well as the following sponsors: InterMune, the Cowlin Family Fund of the Chicago Community Trust, Charles and Monica McQuaid, and the Krauss Charitable Foundation Trust."

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to help find a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), advocate for the pulmonary fibrosis community, promote disease awareness, and provide a compassionate environment for patients and their families. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. PFF Summit 2015: From Bench to Beside, the PFF's third biennial international scientific conference, will be held November 12-14, 2015. For more information visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 888.733.6741 or +1 312.587.9272 from outside of the US.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which over a period of time the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff, and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't receive the oxygen they need. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis, but in most cases, there is not a known cause. When there is no known etiology for the fibrosis (and certain pathologic or radiographic criteria are met), the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF. IPF affects between 132,000-200,000 people in the United States (US), and between 37,000-40,000 people in the European Union (EU). The annual mortality is estimated to be 40,000 in the US, with an average survival of 2–3 years following diagnosis. There is no cure for IPF. There is presently no FDA-approved treatment for IPF in the US and limited therapeutic options available for individuals with mild-to-moderate IPF in the EU, Canada, and Asia.

Contact:
Patti Tuomey, EdD
President and Chief Operating Officer
312.239.6724
[email protected]

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation