MSAA Insights: Resources for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
By Amanda Montague, EdM
MSAA President and CEO
I want to take a moment to recognize the loss of two valued members of the MS community, Dr. Andy Woo and Dr. Leo Maher. Dr. Woo practiced in Santa Monica, California, and served on MSAA’s Board of Directors. Dr. Maher served on MSAA’s Healthcare Advisory Council and his practice was based in Hawaii. Both Dr. Woo and Dr. Maher were beloved by their patients and all those who were fortunate enough to know them. Their dedication to patient-centric care and commitment to improving the lives of people with MS will not be forgotten. We extend our deepest condolences to both Dr. Woo’s as well as Dr. Maher’s family and friends. Both of these devoted neurologists will be greatly missed.
As we continue our mission of improving lives today for people affected by multiple sclerosis, I am continually inspired by the strength of the MS community and the many partners, clinicians, researchers, and supporters who work alongside us to advance care, research, and access to resources.
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the continued progress of the Multiple Sclerosis Implementation Network® (MSIN®). I am pleased to share that we have now reached an important milestone – more than 1,000 individuals with MS have enrolled in MSIN across 20 clinical sites. This achievement reflects the dedication of our partners and the willingness of people living with MS to participate in research that will help us better understand the disease and improve future care. MSIN is designed to generate meaningful, real-world insights, and every participant contributes to building a stronger foundation for the future of MS care.
March marked Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a particularly special time when we come together to elevate awareness, share stories, and highlight the ongoing needs of the MS community. Throughout the month, MSAA worked with advocates, partners, and individuals across the country to expand everyone’s understanding of MS and ensure that those affected know they are not alone. Awareness leads to action – whether through education, advocacy, research participation, or supporting organizations that provide critical services.
In looking ahead, I’m pleased to share that MSAA has recently developed our new three-year strategic plan focused on expanding support for the MS community. As part of our strategic planning process, we have updated MSAA’s mission and vision statements to better reflect the focus of our organization and what we envision for the future. We remain committed to improving lives today for the MS community, and we want to ensure that MSAA continues to adapt and grow as the needs of the MS community evolve. Please visit mymsaa.org/strategicplan for additional details.
In this edition of The Motivator, we feature an informative cover story that focuses on improving one’s long-term wellness. Strategies are provided to help achieve optimal health and include such topics as connecting with one’s healthcare team, as well as exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Please be sure to check out this important article.
And finally, we are excited to gather with supporters, partners, and members of the MS community at MSAA’s 12th Improving Lives Benefit in Philadelphia. This special evening helps raise critical funds that support the programs and services MSAA provides at no cost to the MS community. Events such as this are a powerful reminder that progress happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose. This year, we are proud to be honoring Tyler Campbell and his amazing patient advocacy work and icometrix for their vital work in advancing MRI technology. If you can’t join us in person, we hope you can join us virtually, as we will be livestreaming the event for everyone to enjoy. For more details, please see our “Thoughts About Giving” column in this issue.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support MSAA’s work. Together, we remain committed to expanding knowledge, improving access to care, and ensuring that people living with MS have the resources they need today – and hope for tomorrow.
Amanda Montague, EdM is the President & CEO for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Ms. Montague has been a dedicated member of MSAA’s senior management team and a vital part of MSAA for more than 20 years. In her previous role as Chief Mission Officer at MSAA, Ms. Montague led all programmatic and educational initiatives, as well as partnerships with stakeholders and relationships with the MS healthcare professional community. In addition to her work at MSAA, Ms. Montague also serves as a Stakeholder Reviewer for the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in Washington, DC, has served as a member of the American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) MS Quality Measure Review Panel, and has published and presented research in major journals and at national and international conferences.
Amanda has a BA in Economics from Smith College, an EdM in Risk & Prevention from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an MA in International Patient Advocacy Management from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy.