Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Of America Names New Chairman, Elects Three New Trustees

NEW YORK, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is pleased to announce that Vance A. Gibbs has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and that Christopher Collette, Jennifer O'Neill, and Andrew Stern have been elected as new Board members.

"Vance Gibbs has been a valued and trusted presence on the Board, and a key contributor to the CCFA's recent record of growth and success," comments Richard J. Geswell, President & CEO, of CCFA.  "His appointment will help to ensure that our Board has the skills and vision to guide our organization into a future where we can realize the promise of improving the lives of patients and families living with IBD."

Mr. Gibbs assumes the role of Chairman after several years as General Counsel.  A partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller, he has practiced in commercial litigation and the health care industry for over 25 years. In addition to his service on the CCFA Board, Mr. Gibbs has been a dedicated CCFA volunteer, and played a key role in rebuilding the Louisiana/Mississippi Chapter after Hurricane Katrina.

"There has never been a more exciting time at CCFA than now," Mr. Gibbs comments.  "We are on the cusp of huge breakthroughs and I am privileged to be in this leadership role. I look forward to working with all of our incredible staff and volunteers to achieving a future free from Crohn's and colitis."

Joining Mr. Gibbs on the Board are three new Trustees:  Christopher L. Collette, Senior Vice President Corporate Services for UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, Minn.; Jennifer O'Neill, Director of Operations and Chief of Staff for Deloitte's U.S. Financial Services practice, New York; and Andrew Stern, a partner and co-chair of the Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice at Sidley Austin, New York.  All have been active and appreciated contributors to CCFA's efforts at the chapter and national levels.

"These three professionals bring unique skills, energy, and vision to CCFA, and preparing us to meet our goals and vision for the future," Mr. Geswell adds.  "They are representative of the amazing commitment and dedication that have allowed the CCFA to achieve so much, and will help us sustain momentum as we strive toward our goal of curing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis."

Over the past decade, CCFA has built major momentum toward its mission of curing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and improving the lives of people and families affected by IBD.  Increased revenue has enabled CCFA to develop multidisciplinary research initiatives—including programs targeting the microbiome and genetic contributors to IBD and identifying predictors of treatment response children with these diseases—as well as to expand its patient and professional education programs.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, fatigue and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.6 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). CCFA's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who suffer from these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research, providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public, and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information, visit www.ccfa.org, call 888-694-8872, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter and Pinterest. 

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

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