Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation President And CEO, Dr. Patti Tuomey, Departs For Education Role

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Feb 22, 2017, 14:30 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patti Tuomey, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), will leave the Foundation on March 3, 2017, to become the president and CEO of Josephinum of the Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago. Tuomey joined the PFF in 2010 and led the organization to become the nation's foremost pulmonary fibrosis advocacy organization.

"The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation's board of directors is extremely grateful for Patti's six years of transformational leadership," said incoming chair of the PFF's board of directors, George Eliades, Ph.D., Partner at Bain & Co. "With Patti at the helm, we have expanded funding for research and improved the experience of patients living with pulmonary fibrosis."

Signature programs initiated by Tuomey at the PFF include the biennial PFF Summit, a conference which brings together patients, medical providers and researchers from around the world. Under Tuomey's leadership, the PFF established the PFF Care Center Network, a growing group of medical centers providing expertise, specialized staff and resources for PF patients. An extension of the Care Center Network, the PFF Patient Registry, provides valuable research insights through data collection from PF patients throughout their course of treatment.

"My team, our board members, donors and volunteers have successfully worked together to advance research and provide critical support for those impacted by pulmonary fibrosis," said Tuomey. "The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will always be important to me."

The board, under the leadership of current chair Mike Henderson and incoming chair George Eliades, has launched a search for Tuomey's replacement. During the transition, Scott Staszak, Chief Operating Officer, will serve as interim CEO. "We are fortunate to have Greg Cosgrove, Chief Medical Officer, and Laura Sadler, Chief Program and Business Development Officer, and a strong team to support Scott as we move through this transition," said Henderson.

This year, the PFF will launch the Foundation's inaugural walk in Chicago, September 9, during Global Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. Additionally, the PFF will hold its fourth international pulmonary fibrosis conference, the PFF Summit 2017, November 9-11, in Nashville, Tennessee.

About pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating, rare group of progressive diseases that cause scarring in the lungs with resultant breathlessness and decreased oxygen availability. As a result, the brain, heart, and other organs may not function properly. There is no known cure for PF and 40,000 people succumb to the disease annually.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, people with PF and caregivers worldwide. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. For more information about the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, please visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call the PFF Patient Communication Center at 844.TalkPFF.

CONTACT: Dorothy Coyle
773-332-6201

SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation