Susan Klees Appointed by Governor to Virginia’s Newly Established Rare Disease Council

Susan Klees, HemoShear vice president of communications, has been appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to the Virginia Rare Disease Council.

The Council was recently created to advise the Governor and the General Assembly on the needs of individuals with rare diseases in the Commonwealth, identifying challenges that patients and families face, funding research related to rare diseases and the development of new treatments, and funding support for people with rare diseases in the Commonwealth.

“HemoShear is dedicated to improving lives for patients with rare metabolic diseases and we are proud to have Susan represent us as the only member of the biopharmaceutical industry on the Council,” says Jim Powers, CEO. “Susan has worked closely with patients, caregivers, advocacy groups and health professionals to understand the impact of methylmalonic and propionic acidemia, two devastating rare diseases that are the focus of HemoShear’s clinical studies, and I am sure that she will bring valuable insight to the group.”

“People with rare diseases in Virginia face a lot of hurdles, including delays and challenges in receiving accurate diagnoses, shortages of experienced medical specialists, and lack of access to effective therapies,” says Susan “I am honored to join this group of experts and advocates as we develop policy recommendations to improve access to healthcare and other services and stimulate innovation that ultimately can improve quality of life for people impacted by rare diseases.”

Susan has worked in pharma communications, public affairs and patient advocacy for more than two decades. She helped launch the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, as well as managed other national educational campaigns for diabetes, heart disease, depression and women’s health. Her term on the Council will last for three years. Click here for a full list of Council members.