The members of the NV-RDAC volunteer council represent every sector in the rare disease world.
- Physicians who practice in the area of cardiology, emergency care, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics or primary care and provide care to patients with rare diseases
- Nurses who provide care to patients with rare diseases
- Administrators of hospitals that provide care to patients with rare diseases or their designees
- Individuals aged 18 years or older with a rare disease and parents/guardians of children who have been affected by a rare disease
- Organizations who provide services to patients with a rare disease
Annette Logan-Parker, Chair
Founder and Chief Advocacy & Innovation Officer, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation
Georgene "Gina" Glass, Vice Chair
Executive Director, Dreamsickle Kids Foundation
Amber Federizo, APRN, FNP-BC
Senior Medical Science Liaison, Hematology, Octapharma
Sumit Gupta, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation; Chair, Nevada Newborn Screening Advisory Committee
Melissa Bart-Plange
Parent-Advocate
Paul Niedermeyer, RN
Healthcare Advocate
Valerie Porter, DNP, MBA, AG-ACNP-BC
NP Hospitalist, Internal Medicine Inpatient Service, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
Jennifer Millet, MSN, RN
Clinical Director of Medical-Surgical Services, University Medical Center of Southern Nevada
Ihsan Azzam, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Naja Bagner
Self-Advocate
Craig Vincze, PhD
President, The Max Vincze Foundation
Christina Thielst, MHA, LFACHE
Self-Advocate
Pamela White
Founder and Executive Director, Bridging The Gap Adult Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of Nevada
Kim Anderson-Mackey
Administrator, Amore Hospice Care
Brigette Cole
Director of Programs and Services, Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation
Verena Samara, MD
Neurologist, Carson Tahoe Health
Devraj Chavda, MD
Pediatric Neurologist; Co-Founder, Neurology and Epilepsy Specialists, PC
William "Bill" Evans, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist; Founder and Co-Director, Children’s Heart Center Nevada
Madison Bowe
Rare Disease Patient Advocate
Mallory Carvalho, MSW
Visiting Lecturer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Social Worker
Ann Jensen
Administrator, Nevada MedicaidWant to join the Council?
The following NV-RDAC member positions are currently vacant:
Hospital administrator
An administrator of a hospital that provides care to patients with rare diseases, or designee. *There are currently 2 vacancies.
Physician
A physician who practices in the area of cardiology, emergency care, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, or primary care and provides care to patients with rare diseases
Division representative
A division representative who provides education concerning rare diseases or the management of chronic conditions
Lived experience
A person over 18 years of age who has lived with or who currently lives with a rare disease
Please submit a letter of interest and a resume or curriculum vitae. Materials submitted will be forwarded to the DHHS director for consideration for possible appointment. Please address your materials to Julia Peek, Deputy Administrator, whom you can contact by phone at 775-684-5902, by email at jpeed@health.nv.gov, or by mail at 4150 Technology Way, Ste. 300, Carson City, NV 89706.