To all SAA Members, Donors and Friends,

The Board of Directors of the Spondylitis Association of America is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie Savage as the new Executive Director of the organization. Ms. Savage has been on the staff of the SAA for more than 10 years, most recently as the Associate Executive Director.

Ms. Savage replaces Katherine Culpepper, who recently left the organization to pursue other interests. In her most recent role at SAA, Ms. Savage has been the liaison to the Medical Advisory Board, represented the organization and made presentations at national and international scientific meetings, and collaborated with the Executive Director on donor development and the cultivation of relationships with researchers and pharmaceutical companies.

The appointment of Ms. Savage assures that the work of the organization will continue as it has over the past number of years, with the same organizational efficiency and fiscal discipline that has allowed us to allocate a full 81 percent of expenses to patient programs and research.

The SAA Board of Directors and the staff remain committed to focusing on our patient programs, service to our online community and development of our support group networks. We will also maintain our commitment to advancing AS research and continuing our philanthropic mission to be a leader in the quest to cure ankylosing spondylitis.

David Hallegua
Chair, SAA Board of Directors

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