Wayne State University School of Medicine Professor of Neurology Robert Lisak, M.D., FRCP, FAAN, received the Healthcare Professional Champion Award from the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated their commitment to helping people meet the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis, including improving access to and quality of MS clinical care. Recipients must have demonstrated leadership in establishing relationships with other health care providers and professional organizations, increasing referrals to the society and improving MS knowledge in the health care workforce.

“It is nice to be recognized for doing things that you enjoy doing for others,” said Dr. Lisak, who received the honor Jan. 11 at the chapter’s annual “Breakthroughs in MS” meeting in Novi. Mich.

Mirela Cerghet, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist with the Henry Ford Health System, presented Dr. Lisak, also a professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and former chair of WSU Neurology, with the award on behalf of the chapter.

Dr. Lisak, said Dr. Cerghet, “has been a champion for patients living with MS for the entire span of his distinguished career.” His “involvement with the National MS Society spans decades, and over the years of his service great strides have been made toward creating a world free of MS, including the development of all the disease-modifying medications.”

A member of the society’s Board of Trustees and chair of the Healthcare Provider Council, Dr. Lisak has played a critical role in attracting new talent to the field through his involvement in MS professional education, medical student mentoring, clinical training programs and  engagement with clinical fellows, Dr. Cerghet said.

Most recently, Dr. Lisak, representing both WSU and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers in his role on the AAN Guideline Development, Dissemination and Implementation Subcommittee, helped develop new guidelines for disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis. The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers is a professional organization of MS centers and health care providers and researchers in the United States and Canada committed to a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treatment and care, education and research and advocacy for MS so that the centers can provide the best care and outcomes for patients and their families. The consortium also is an international clearinghouse for research results, the latest treatments, clinical trials and patient education programs.