Detroit Conference Presenters

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Dr. Kenneth Neldner was one of the founders of NAPE. Prior to that, he worked intensively with PXE patients and published in 1988 the first extensive research regarding PXE. Clinics in Dermatology: Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum remains the basic text for researchers interested in PXE. Dr. Neldner will set the stage on Friday evening, preparing for more fruitful discoveries and understanding of Saturday's program.

Dr. Berthold Struk, Cardiologist, Max-Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine and Franz-Volhard Clinic for Cardiovascular Disease in Berlin, Germany, will be present throughout the conference and will present information about the impact of PXE on the cardiovascular system, basic care procedures to be followed by patients and their physicians and his most recently published research regarding the inheritance of PXE. Dr. Struk will also be available to talk with conference participants as time permits.

Lylas G. Mogk, MS, MD, is an ophthalmologist, Director of the Henry Ford Health System Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center and Chair of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Vision Rehabilitation Committee and SmartSight Taskforce. Inspired by the experience of her father and her many patients with AMD, she co-authored with her daughter, Marja Mogk, PhD, the award-winning book for patients, families and health professionals, Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, now in its second edition (Ballantine, 2003). Dr. Mogk is a frequent speaker to professional and lay audiences worldwide on macular degeneration, the impact of vision loss and vision rehabilitation.

Wanda Smith, MS, OTR, CLVT, is an occupational therapist with the Henry Ford Health System Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center. She has practiced in a variety of rehabilitation settings in her seven years with the Henry Ford System and finds vision rehabilitation truly the most inspiring of her career endeavors. Wanda has spoken to professional and lay audiences on vision rehabilitation and issues of vision and driving. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Wayne State University and Low Vision Therapist certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.