National Fibromyalgia Association Announces New Hire

Rae Marie Gleason Joins NFA as Executive Director of Research and Medical Education

Orange, CA - March 14

The National Fibromyalgia Association, a [501(c) 3] nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia, announced the hiring of Rae Marie Gleason as Executive Director of Research and Medical Education.  Ms. Gleason will be responsible for expanding the NFA's research efforts, as well as furthering the development of both national and international  continuing medical education programs and Thought Leader Symposia to increase the medical community's understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. 

For the past 14 years Ms. Gleason was the Executive Director of the National Fibromyalgia Research Association (NFRA), a nonprofit organization founded in 1992. Under her leadership, the organization raised over $1.2 M to fund fibromyalgia research.

"We are   honored to have Rae Marie join the National Fibromyalgia Association," said NFA president and founder Lynne Matallana. "She and I have always shared the philosophy that the fibromyalgia community is best served when a collaborative effort is made between the medical and patient communities.  Rae's expertise in facilitating research will expand the NFA's capabilities so that we will be able to better help people with fibromyalgia." 

Ms. Gleason, whose mother had fibromyalgia, also brings to the NFA her well-established working relationships with and access to numerous specialty physician groups and researchers, which will play a vital role in increasing awareness and scientific credibility for the illness.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with the NFA and Lynne Matallana," said Ms. Gleason. "I feel that my unique professional background will complement my new responsibilities at the NFA, and that we will be able to  implement programs and encourage research that will result in better health care and quality of life for people with fibromyalgia."

Rae Marie Gleason's other professional affiliations in the fibromyalgia community include: Public Relations Advisor for the Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation; member of the Health Points Advisory Panel; Fibromyalgia Department Head for Practical Pain Management Journal ; and  a  member of the Food and Drug Administration's Patient Representative Group.

Ms. Gleason is moving with her husband Roy to Orange County , California from Salem , Oregon to join the NFA. They have three grandsons, a German shepherd and two Himalayan kittens. In her spare time, Ms. Gleason enjoys knitting, mosaics and reading.

Coming in the April issue of the NFA's online newsletter, a one-on-one interview with Rae Marie Gleason by Lynne Matallana.

About the National Fibromyalgia Foundation

The National Fibromyalgia Association is a [501(c) 3] nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia by increasing the awareness of the public, media, government and medical communities. The NFA publishes Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine three times a year and hosts its award-winning website www.FMaware.org.