September 30, 2003
NEW YORK, NY — Bruce R. Korf, M.D., Ph D., Chair of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) newly created Department of Genetics and Wayne H. Finley and Sara Crews Finley Chair of Medical Genetics at UAB has been named as the new Chairman of the Medical Affairs Committee for the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation (NNFF).
Dr. Bruce R. Korf, M.D., Ph D., is one of the leading clinical experts and clinical researchers in the field of NF and has worked with the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation for over 15 years. He has previously served as Chairman of the Foundation's Clinical Care Advisory Board and as Chairman of the Foundation's Medical Policy Committee.
"Dr. Korf's distinguished career as both scientist and physician combined with his long record of service to NF, make him the ideal choice to lead the Foundation's medical and research programs," said Foundation President Peter Bellermann. "The Foundation has built its reputation by facilitating collaboration amongst scientists and institutions that are normally in competition for resources and ideas; Dr. Korf's outstanding credentials will lend great weight to the Foundation's efforts to continue this tradition."
"As we learn more about the biology of the neurofibromatoses, I look forward to working closely with the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation in its efforts to facilitate the translation of this new knowledge to better methods of diagnosis and treatment," Dr. Korf said.
Before joining UAB, Dr. Korf was medical director of the Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics, a program devoted to integrating genetics into medical practice for major Harvard-affiliated hospitals in Boston. He was associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and directed Harvard's postdoctoral training in medical and laboratory genetics. He is board certified in pediatrics, neurology (child neurology), clinical genetics, cytogenetics and clinical molecular genetics.
Dr. Korf is president of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics. He has recently completed a term as vice-president for clinical genetics for the American College of Medical Genetics and was a founding fellow of that organization. After receiving undergraduate and medical degrees from Cornell University and a PhD from Rockefeller University, Dr. Korf completed a residency in pediatrics, a fellowship in genetics at Children's Hospital, Boston, and a residency in neurology in the Longwood Area Neurology Training Program at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Korf is the author of four books and numerous scientific articles, including Neurofibromatosis: A Handbook for Patients, Families, and Health Care Professionals (co-authored with NNFF Director of Medical Affairs Emeritus, Dr. Allan E. Rubenstein). He serves on the editorial board of Genetics in Medicine and has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the American Journal of Human Genetics. He is also a coeditor of Current Protocols in Human Genetics and is a coeditor of the fifth edition of Emery and Rimoin's Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics.
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves throughout the body. NF affects 100,000 Americans: 1 in 4000 for NF Type 1, 1 in 40,000 for NF Type 2. NF is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Tay Sachs, and Huntington's Disease combined. Nearly half of those with NF suffer from learning disabilities. The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, a non-profit organization, is the leading resource on NF. NNFF provides direct services to children and adults with NF, as well as information and resources to the public and medical professionals via a toll-free number, (800) 323-7938.