Charles E. Holman Foundation Announces 9th Annual Morgellons Disease Medical Conference
Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 25, 2016 -- The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation (CEHMDF) is pleased to announce the 9th Annual Medical-Scientific Conference on Morgellons Disease. The two-day event, Searching for the UnCommon Thread, brings researchers, medical professionals and patients together to cover the most current findings in the medical research of Morgellons. The goal of the conference is to provide the most current developments about the condition as well as broaden the understanding of this complex disease. The event takes place April 30 - May 1 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel and Woodward Conference Center in Austin, TX. Registration is open and includes the two-day event, evening reception and continuing educational credits for medical professionals. Special room rates are available for those attending the conference for reservations made by April 12, 2016.
About Morgellons disease...
Morgellons Disease (MD) is a multisystem illness uniquely characterized by the formation of unusual colored fibers within the skin. The debilitating condition often includes slow healing skin/scalp lesions, intense itching/pain, overwhelming fatigue, GI disturbances and an array of neurological deficits including mood swings and behavioral changes (2).
Recently published peer-reviewed medical research demonstrated MD has a strong connection with the spirochetal bacteria, Borrelia. Research scientists and medical professionals consider this could be the reason that a significant number of MD patients are found to have undiagnosed Lyme disease as well as other Tick borne coinfections. Marianne Middelveen, Mdes, lead scientist from Exploring the Association between Morgellons disease and Lyme disease: Identification of Borrelia Burgdorferi in Morgellons Disease Patients, BMC Dermatology, Feb. 2015, will discuss this momentous work. The paper has received honors as one of 2015's Most Influential Articles from BMC Dermatology and Altmetric.com (1, 3)
Each year beginning in 2008, the CEHMDF has sponsored this medical-scientific conference to provide a venue for the research scientists to share their work. Morgellons disease affects people of all ages, genders and ethnic groups worldwide. According to the foundation’s director, Cindy Casey-Holman, RN, “Historically, when recognizing a new disease, the medical community at-large is slow to accept any major paradigm shift. Establishing Morgellons as an infectious disease takes an overabundance of reproducible scientific evidence. The Holman Foundation has made significant strides in a relatively short time. The research projects that we’ve funded have produced momentous results. Through our continued efforts with published research and education of medical providers, Morgellons is gaining ground as a true physiological medical condition.”
Patients and medical professionals are encouraged to attend the conference to learn, ask questions and engage in open discussions and debates. The conference offers CMEs and CEUs for medical professionals.
The 2016 speaker lineup will feature returning favorites as well as new prominent personalities from a variety of medical specialties. Scientists from two major universities will be sharing updates of their on-going MD research. Eva Sapi, PhD from the University of New Haven will speak on the Existence of Pathogenic Bacteria in Skin lesions of Morgellons Patients. Randy Wymore, PhD and his research associate, Carol Hefley, BS bring updates from The Center for the Investigation of Morgellons Disease at OSU-CHS in Tulsa. Additionally, Dr. Wymore will explore a unique topic from his view as a member of the CDC's External Peer-Review Committee during the time of the CDC's Unexplained Dermopathy study.
At the therapeutical level, Eboni Cornish, MD will discuss the clinical evaluation of Morgellons.
Dr. Ginger R. Savely, one of the most recognized and revered MD care-provider worldwide, will review the disease from an historical viewpoint. Melissa McElroy - Fesler, FNP-BC will share epidemiological data of this medical condition. We are very excited to welcome back Carsten Nicolaus, MD, PhD, from Augsburg, Germany, who will be discussing European developments concerning Morgellons Disease. Dr. Amelia Withington, a Psychiatrist from the Philadelphia area, returns this year to discuss the Morgellons experience, both from a professional and personal perspective. World-renowned Morgellons and Lyme disease specialist and researcher from San Francisco, CA, Raphael B. Stricker, MD will share his expertise and research proficiency concerning Morgellons, Borrelia and Lyme disease. We are honored to have our newest speaker, Jyotsna S. Shah, PhD, Director of IGeneX Labs, who will discuss her current research pursuit regarding Morgellons disease.
Other highlights of the weekend event will include a Saturday evening reception and a screening by the filmmakers of a trailer for the currently in production Morgellons documentary, Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons.
The conference will be held on Saturday & Sunday, April 30 – May 1, 2016 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel and Woodward Conference Center in Austin, TX. Registration includes admission to both days and the Saturday evening reception. Guests are encouraged to book rooms early. Full conference details and online registration are available at http://www.MorgellonsDisease.org/morgellons-2016-conference/
About The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation
The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation, based in Austin, TX, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and philanthropy in the battle against Morgellons. Director, Cindy Casey-Holman, RN, leads the foundation, named for her husband, Charles E. Holman, a pioneer in the fight against MD.
The CEHMDF is the recognized authority and primary funding source for Morgellons Disease medical-scientific research. There are neither grants, nor any other public or private funding to support research for Morgellons. Conference event proceeds will be used to further this mission. Donations are tax deductible in the US. To learn more about Morgellons Disease go to http://www.MorgellonsDisease.org.
GWEN SIMMONS, The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation, http://www.thecehf.org, +1 (901) 252-7494, [email protected]
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