February 9, 2007

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — UC Davis Vice Chancellor and Dean Claire Pomeroy was honored by the Huntington's Disease Society of America Northern California Regional Office at its fifth-annual “Celebration of Hope” dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Sacramento. Former Sacramento County Supervisor and 2003 HDSA honoree Sandra Smoley presented the award to Pomeroy.

The society hosted the dinner to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to find treatments or a cure for Huntington's Disease, a hereditary brain disorder that slowly robs a person's ability to walk, talk, think and reason. The disease is caused by the mutation of a single gene.

Pomeroy was noted for her leadership in advancing educational innovation, translational research and patient care of Huntington's Disease at UC Davis Health System. In 2001, the society identified UC Davis as a Center of Excellence for the disease — one of only 17 centers in the country designated by the HDSA. The society recognized Pomeroy as an influential advocate of the center and a champion of center director Vicki Wheelock.

Wheelock, a UC Davis associate professor of neurology, directs the program with nurse practitioner Teresa Tempkin and a multidisciplinary team comprising a full-time social worker, psychiatrist, physical therapist and genetics counselor. The clinic offers predictive testing, diagnosis and management of symptomatic Huntington's disease, nursing home outreach and community outreach. Patients and families can also participate in clinical trials sponsored by the Huntington Study Group.

In accepting the award, Pomeroy said she shares the honor with the UC Davis team. “Every day, they work hard and combine their skills and strengths to help us address the clinical challenges posed by Huntington's,” she said. “They bring hope and care to patients and families who live with it.” She also said the award celebrates the many event attendees who raise community awareness of the disease, ensure adequate research funding and optimize health policy on disability and insurance coverage.

“We are fortunate to have leaders like Dr. Pomeroy in the medical community who support and understand patients and families affected by Huntington's Disease,” said Barbara Boyle, CEO and executive director of HDSA.

The annual Celebration of Hope is the only fundraiser held by HDSA to raise money for a $50,000 grant to UC Davis' Center of Excellence. Funds from the event also support ongoing Huntington's Disease research at Buck Institute and Stanford University.