Announcements + April News

Announcing Newly Appointed Board Members!

Wanda Castro-Borrero

Wanda Castro-Borrero is a pharmacist, a neurologist MS fellowship-trained and senior medical director at Biogen Inc. As the Global Medical Head of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Franchise, Fumarates, Interferons, and Fampyra, Wanda is responsible for leading the medical strategy and ensuring successful regional partnership. Wanda provides overall leadership and direction to the Global MS Franchise team and regional partners. Wanda leads all efforts regarding MS disease state data generation, publication, assessment of educational needs, and field medical training among others.

Marie LeGrand, MPH

Marie LeGrand is the Senior Director of Mission Delivery and Health Equity for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, with a background in public health and has 10 years of experience in disease prevention, health promotion, health policy, and population medicine. She is responsible for program administration and implementing strategic oversight of MSAA’s patient and provider programming, overseeing health equity initiatives, and developing multifaceted interventions for the MS community. Marie serves as the Co-chair for MSAA’s African American Advisory Board and recently published a white paper on Multiple Sclerosis and the African American Experience. Additionally, she has led policy and advocacy efforts federally and within state policy strategy and has served in roles that have advanced the human rights of marginalized communities, providing wraparound services to the African American, Hispanic and Latinx, and LGBTQ communities.

Yasmine Parrish

Yasmine H. Parrish is the Chief Action Officer and Founder of Muse Makers Management, Inc. a 360 service talent, influencer, and brand management agency. As a seasoned communication and brand strategist with over a decade of experience working with CPG brands, non-profits, and entertainment businesses.

Yasmine is a lover of all things creative with a sweet spot for culture and strategizing ways to elevate the voices and experiences of diverse people. With a track record of translating any brand’s voice and vision into engaging digital and experiential campaigns to meet stated goals,

Yasmine understands how to create win-win partnerships. At the age of 12, Yasmine found out the saddest most life altering news of her life at the at the happiest place on earth, Disney World. Her father, a loving dad and brilliant physician, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. From the age of 12 to 23, she watched as her father slowly but steadily declined, battled and succumbed to MS, leaving her feeling like she was robbed of her father.

Dr. Mitzi Williams

Mitzi Joi Williams is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellowship trained Multiple Sclerosis Specialist who serves as the Founder & CEO of the Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center in Newnan, GA. She is considered a subject matter expert in Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, and Health Disparities. Dr. Williams has over 15 years of experience in the field of Multiple Sclerosis.

Dr. Williams has spearheaded and participated in multiple steering committees and workgroups to further research in underserved populations with MS with a focus on the African American population. She has recently joined efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials and educate the community about the importance of research participation. Through collaborations with national and international committees, she advocates for people living with MS to share in the decision-making process with their healthcare teams to combat this disease. Dr. Williams is the author of “MS Made Simple: The Essential Guide to Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis.”

Lauren Hutton-Work

Lawyer, chronic illness advocate, and innovator, Lauren Work is on a mission to change the narrative of multiple sclerosis and improve the health outcomes for underrepresented women and non-binary women of color. When Lauren was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at the age of 21, it became apparent that Black millennial women thriving in spite of their illness were not a part of the MS story or community. Fearing judgment and feeling isolated, she lived with her disease in silence for almost two years. But, after starting law school, Lauren realized her silence impacted her ability to live a healthier and fuller life. It was time to occupy space not only for herself but for others.

Lauren joined forces with the founder of the #WeAreILLmatic campaign, Victoria Reese, and founded the nonprofit organization, We Are ILL. Through educational programming, clinical trials, and research advocacy, as well as in-person and online support groups, We Are ILL extends beyond digital platforms to support women of color with MS. Lauren hopes that in showing up, unapologetically in her truth, her experiences will give power to both patients and allies, and build more equitable spaces that redefine what sick looks like.

Dr. Terry Wahls receives $2.5 million for multiple sclerosis dietary study

Dr. Terry Wahls, who was diagnosed with MS herself, just received a $2.5 million gift to further investigate ways diet might improve the quality of life for those with the MS. In 2007, she was confined to a wheelchair due to MS, and by developing this diet, she was able to walk again without an assistive device. This forthcoming two-year study on “Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in multiple sclerosis” will be one of the largest and longest-ever dietary-intervention studies on people with MS. The goal of the novel research, inspired by Wahls’ personal journey, is to investigate ways in which specific diets affect life quality and fatigue in relapsing-remitting MS patients. Visit The Gazette to learn more.

The National African Americans with MS Registry (NAAMSR)

If you have been diagnosed with MS, please consider signing up with The National African Americans with Multiple Sclerosis Registry. Their mission is to accurately estimate the number and geographic distribution of African-Americans diagnosed with MS in the United States, the existence of barriers to access to care, and strategies that are needed to undo inequities of access. This group is affiliated with one of We Are ILL’s new Board members, Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams. She has spearheaded and participated in multiple steering committees to further research in underserved populations with MS with a focus on the African American population. She has recently joined efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials and educate the community about the importance of research participation. Visit the NAAMSR website to sign up and learn more.