This year, we were please to present the Timothy Brei, MD, Outstanding Healthcare Professional Award to 3 important professionals. This award is designed to showcase and acknowledge outstanding achievements in the healthcare profession. The award is presented to and individual or individuals who have ha da significant and lasting impact on Spina Bifida healthcare practices and/or healthcare profession within disciplines related to Spina Bifida treatment and care.

This year’s award goes to a group of individuals who contributed days, nights and weekends to ensure right care. Right time. They created a plan that resulted in a seminal body of work. They combined the knowledge of 100 healthcare experts and related evidence to develop the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. These Guidelines change the way care is delivered for people with Spina Bifida across the lifespan.

In addition to the Guidelines, these individuals have dedicated their lives to improving the care of people with Spina Bifida in ways including serving as principal investigators int he National Spina Bifida Patient Registry, publishing papers to improve care, and serving individuals nationally and locally.

Thank you to:

• Patricia Beierwaltes, DPN, C-PNP, Guideline Steering Committee Co-Chair; Assistant Professor, Nursing, Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Timothy J. Brei, MD, Spina Bifida Association Medical Director; Developmental Pediatrician, Professor, Seattle Children’s Hospital
• Nienke Dosa, MD, MPH, Guideline Steering Committee Co-Chair; Upstate Foundation Professor of Child Health Policy; SUNY Upstate Medical University
• Brad E. Dicianno, MD, Guideline Steering Committee Co-Chair; Associate Medical Director and Chair of Spina Bifida Association’s Professional Advisory Council; Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine