The James Timothy Lubin Fellowship in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders

Jim has devoted the past twenty years of his life to helping others.  To honor Jim’s devotion to our community and to recognize his incredible contributions to people with the neuroimmunologic disorders and their families, The Transverse Myelitis Association has established the James Timothy Lubin Fellowship in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders.  There is no greater need in our community than the provision of medical care by neurologists who have experience and expertise in these rare disorders.  There is also a critical need to foster the development of scientists who are interested in these disorders.  What better way to recognize and honor Jim than to establish a fellowship that will ultimately provide the best clinical care to the people Jim has devoted his life to helping and find the causes and cures for TM, NMO, ON and ADEM. 

We are going to need your help to raise this money, and this help is going to need to be offered on a continuing basis in order to make this fellowship program a reality.  The TMA is committed to an aggressive fundraising effort to create and maintain this fellowship program.  More than any other program we have initiated, the James Timothy Lubin Fellowship in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders represents the most significant investment in all of our futures.  

The purpose of the James Timothy Lubin Fellowship in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders is to encourage the development of medical specializations in TM, ADEM and NMO through a year of study under a leading TM, ADEM or NMO specialist.  The fellowship is focused on the provision of exceptional clinical care and/or research into these rare neuroimmunologic disorders.  Award of the Fellowship will be based on the expectation that the recipient will continue to specialize in ADEM, NMO and/or TM.  If the fellowship includes a clinical and basic science research project, the fellowship term may be up to two full academic years.  

The fellow will be required to work with a mentor (a TM, NMO and/or ADEM specialist).  The mentor must be a faculty member with demonstrated clinical specialization and practice in at least one of the disorders.  Preference will be given to medical centers of excellence in the disorders.  If the fellowship includes a research program, the mentor must also be a scientist with research experience and publications in these rare disorders.  

In order to award one fellowship each year, the TMA will need to raise $100,000.  The number of fellowships we can offer will only be limited by the resources we are able to devote to this important program.  Most of the people that I speak with for the first time are seeking a TM specialist or a NMO specialist or an ADEM specialist.  If you have one of these disorders or if you are a family member or friend of a person with one of these disorders, an investment in this fellowship program will bring you very direct and profound benefits.   

We urge you to get involved in this fundraising effort.  I know that over the years many people have been inspired by Jim.  Please join us in honoring Jim by helping to get this important program started.  I can think of no greater legacy for Jim than to have highly motivated, brilliant and skilled physicians enter the discipline of neuroimmunology to provide clinical care to the people Jim has cared for so deeply for the past twenty years.  Please make a donation to the TMA for the purpose of funding the James Timothy Lubin Fellowship and then please make your contributions a regular part of your generous giving.  If you have been considering starting a fundraising program with your friends and family, this fellowship would be an excellent focus of your efforts.  What more pressing or critical issue do you have in your own life or in your child’s life than to assure that you or they have the best medical care available and that there are researchers who are interested in understanding TM, NMO, ADEM and ON. 

Donations can be made using this link http://www.myelitis.org/fellowship-donation