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The Ryan White Youth Award was given to Nathan Mermilliod. As an active member of the Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California, Mermilliod is dedicated to using his performance and presentation talents to spread awareness and advocate for people with hemophilia, including musical theater and public speaking. He studies biology at Chapman University in Southern California, and hopes to become a doctor.
David Rushlow, LMSW, Northern Regional Bleeding Disorder Center, Munson Medical Center, was named Social Worker of the Year. For decades, he has helped patients and families address mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders related to their bleeding disorders. In a time of global pandemic, Rushlow has provided invaluable services to his local community.
The Physician of the Year award honored Miguel Ecobar, MD, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and medical director of the Gulf States Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center in Houston. His specialty in rare and adult bleeding and clotting disorders includes hemophilia, von Willebrand disease,
and deep vein thrombosis. His patients value his clinical approach to the study of blood disorders, in addition to his friendly bedside manner and the amount of time he spends with them, as well as ability to provide expert medical care and attention for Spanish speaking patients. ■