Arthritis Foundation Appoints Five New Members to National Board of Directors

ATLANTA, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Arthritis Foundation appointed five new members to its national board of directors:  Dr. K. Andrew Crighton, Dr. Santiago de Solo, Michael V. Ortman, Tanya Hairston-Whitner, and Kelli L. Thompson.  They bring to the Arthritis Foundation their vast experiences in the medical, communications, marketing, association management and legal industries, as well as valuable perspectives from their many years of community service.  

The all-volunteer board, comprised of key stakeholders from around the country, acts as the governing body of the organization in its mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability.  In the United States, at least 50 million people live with some form of arthritis.

"We are thrilled to welcome our newest directors, whose experiences in their local communities and dedication to the Arthritis Foundation will be valuable assets to our national board of directors," said David Shuey, chair of the Arthritis Foundation.  "I am confident that the contributions these directors will make at the national level will further our organization's commitment to helping individuals take control of this disease."  The newly appointed directors are as follows:

K. Andrew Crighton, M.D., is chief medical officer of Prudential Financial in Newark, N.J., and is responsible for global health and safety, while also providing leadership for Prudential's medical clinics, fitness facilities, employee assistance program, and work life and accommodation programs. He serves as chair of the Health Enhancement Research Organization.  A volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation, he is former chair of the Arthritis Foundation New Jersey Chapter.  He currently serves on the board of the Arthritis Foundation Northeast Region and also chairs the Human Resource Committee.

Santiago de Solo, M.D., is a rheumatologist at The Center for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases in Miami, Fla.  He is a frequent lecturer at local, national and international institutions regarding all aspects of arthritis. In addition, he volunteers for the Arthritis Foundation Florida Chapter, conducting media interviews and participating in events, including the Miami-Dade Arthritis Walk.

Tanya Hairston-Whitner is general counsel for Concessions International, LLC, in Atlanta, Ga. Hairston-Whitner has held leadership positions throughout her career, while also serving as chair of the board of the Center for Black Women's Wellness.

Michael V. Ortman is vice president of content strategy and operations for Comcast Cable Communications, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa.  He is a highly respected executive in the telecommunications industry, and brings more than 30 years of marketing and media experience to the board.  For more than 10 years he has been a key fundraiser and volunteer leader for the Arthritis Foundation in his home state of Maryland, and now chairs the Foundation's Mid-Atlantic Region Board.

Kelli L. Thompson is a shareholder in the Knoxville office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. Thompson has received numerous accolades for her pro bono work, and has been named to several top attorney lists such as The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers for her franchise, business litigation and employment work. She also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation, Southeast Region and has held numerous leadership roles with the East Tennessee Advisory Council of the Arthritis Foundation.

About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability.  The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest.  The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation