Robert Lisak, M.D., FRCP, FAAN, longtime professor of Neurology and former chair of the Wayne State University Department of Neurology, has been named a “Giant of Multiple Sclerosis” by NeurologyLive and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.
Giants of Multiple Sclerosis is a premier neuroscience award that celebrates pioneers, innovators and difference makers who have been selected by their peers for their remarkable achievements in multiple sclerosis.
Launched in 2021, individuals named to the Giants of Multiple Sclerosis recognition program have made significant contributions to the field of multiple sclerosis. Of more than 200 nominees, only 10 individuals were selected to join the prestigious Class of 2023 inductees.
“I am pleased to have been recognized for what has been an honor for me, providing diagnosis and care, importantly including coordinating multidisciplinary care, as well as support to patients and their families with multiple sclerosis for over 50 years at both the University of Pennsylvania and since 1987 at Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center,” said Dr. Lisak, who chaired the Department of Neurology from 1987 to 2012. “By practicing with a team approach and by also conducting clinical, basic and translational research, I hope I have provided the most up-to-date care for patients with multiple sclerosis and related disorders.”
Dr. Lisak was named in the “Neurology” category, in which candidates dedicated their career to the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with multiple sclerosis, “continuously engaging with the community to stay abreast of and provide the latest information and care to patients and their families.”
A member of the School of Medicine faculty since 1987, Dr. Lisak served as neurologist-in-chief of the Detroit Medical Center from 1987 to 2011 and as chief of Neurology at Harper University Hospital and its predecessors from 1987 to 2012.
The Giants of Multiple Sclerosis Steering Committee is a strategic group of health care professionals – all giants in their own right – who dedicate their time to the program, providing guidance to NeurologyLive as it further develops this recognition initiative. The committee selects the finalists and, ultimately, the inductees in each category from the submitted nominations.
“We’d like to congratulate each and every single member of this year’s class of inductees on this enormous honor,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and chief executive officer of MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of NeurologyLive. “They are all pioneers and leaders within the multiple sclerosis community who have clearly made a lasting impact on both patients and their peers.”
“The Giants of MS awards program recognizes the unique model of care in multiple sclerosis: the team approach. MS care is a health and wellness approach, and this recognition program validates the contributions of all specialists,” said June Halper, MSN, APN-C, MSCN, FAAN, who is chief executive officer of CMSC and the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses.
NeurologyLive delivers direct access to practice-changing news and expert insights directly from top medical conferences and researchers to improve the lives of patients with neurological diseases such as dementia, epilepsy, headache and migraine, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular diseases, stroke and more. The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers is the largest North American multidisciplinary membership organization dedicated to defining and advancing the standard of care of people with multiple sclerosis.