The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Parkinson's Action Network have announced plans to integrate. MJFF made the announcement in a statement, saying that PAN will cease to operate as an independent organization, and will merge into the Foundation so they can operate as one joint effort with the goal of advancing public policy priorities and better treatment for the millions of people living with Parkinson's Disease, or PD.
The Boards of both organizations approved the plan last week, and PAN subsequently filed for dissolution with California Attorney General. Approval is expected to come within eight weeks.
[Also: Michael J. Fox Foundation chooses academic centers for Edmond J. Safra fellowship]
PAN will integrate their activities into MJFF as the Foundation's new public policy department, and will operate primarily out of Washington, D.C. PAN's president and CEO since 2014, Ted Thompson, will join MJFF as senior vice president of public policy.
A new Unified Parkinson's Advocacy Council, comprised of representatives from state, regional and national PD organizations, will gather field-wide input on priorities and policy matters. PAN's grassroots leaders program, which has sought to strengthen local support for policies that benefit patients, will also transition to MJFF. A Public Policy Council will provide expert guidance on policy strategies.
Like Healthcare Finance on Facebook
"As two patient-founded organizations, PAN and MJFF share a deep respect for keeping patients at the center of our priorities and programs," said Thompson. "We are enthusiastic about the prospects for a continued and deepened engagement of the nationwide Parkinson's community as we plot a new path forward for Parkinson's public policy."
According to MJFF, 1 million Americans, and 5 million worldwide, live with Parkinson's. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn