Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Appoints Patti Tuomey, EdD, As President And Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) announced today that Patti Tuomey, EdD, has been unanimously elected by its Board of Directors to serve as the Foundation's chief executive officer, in addition to her current role as president, effective immediately. She succeeds the PFF's CEO Daniel M. Rose, MD, who will continue to serve the Foundation as a strategic advisor and as a member of the board of directors.

"In the five years that Patti has served as president, she has participated in the expansion of the PFF's medical team, led by the appointment of Dr. Gregory P. Cosgrove as chief medical officer, and the expansion of important core programs, both of which have played key roles that have enabled our organization to become the leading resource for pulmonary fibrosis information," said Michael C. Henderson, PFF chairman of the board of directors. "No doubt, the Foundation will continue to grow and benefit from her passion and vision in her new role as president and CEO."

One of Dr. Tuomey's first tasks will be to lead the strategic planning effort for the Foundation. As part of the plan, Dr. Tuomey, in partnership with the PFF leadership team, will assess the Foundation's organizational structure, its future goals, and ways to maximize efficiencies across all programming. Dr. Rose's participation as senior advisor and his role on the board will be valuable throughout this planning process.

"Under Dan's leadership we have been able to substantially build upon the initial vision of our founders, his father Albert Rose and his uncle Michael Rosenzweig," Dr. Tuomey said. "I thank Dan and the board for bringing me to the PFF five years ago and providing me with this extraordinary opportunity. Together, we'll continue our efforts to transform the experience of patients suffering from this devastating and progressive disease and mobilize the broader community to advance care and lead the path toward a cure."

"The Foundation's mission has always been centered on the patient community, and I am extremely confident that the innovative patient and research programs we have pioneered will continue to thrive under Patti's leadership," Dr. Rose said. "I am proud to be a part of the Foundation, and it is a privilege to play a part in its growth. We will continue to raise disease awareness, increase research funding, and expand resources that are critical to those living with pulmonary fibrosis."

About Patti Tuomey, EdD
Dr. Patti Tuomey joined the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in September 2010. She has more than 20 years of management experience at nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, including strategic planning, program management, financial planning, marketing and fundraising. She previously held positions at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Field Museum. She has taught management and marketing courses at both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University. Dr. Tuomey graduated from Marquette University and received an MA in arts administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Doctorate of Education from Benedictine University.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which, over a period of time, lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff and scarred. The development of the scar tissue is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred and grows thicker, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. As a result, the brain and other organs don't receive enough oxygen. In some cases, doctors can determine the cause of the fibrosis, but in many cases, there is no known cause. When the cause of the fibrosis is unknown (and certain pathologic or radiographic criteria are met), the disease is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF. There is no cure for IPF. Presently, there are two FDA-approved treatments for IPF in the U.S.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is to serve as the trusted resource for the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community by raising awareness, providing disease education, advancing care and funding research. 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. The PFF's Summit 2015: From Bench to Bedside, its third biennial international health care conference, will be held November 12-14, 2015 in Washington, D.C. For more information visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or +1 312.587.9272 from outside of the U.S.

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SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation