Dr. Rahman Pourmand, SBUMC Neurologist, Named 2007 Doctor of The Year By Myasthenia Gravis Foundation - 5/31/2007
The National Award is for his Commitment to Patients with the Neuromuscular Disease Rahman Pourmand, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neuromuscular Disease Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center, has been named "2007 Doctor of the Year" by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). The award confers national recognition on a physician who has made extraordinary efforts to assist individuals and their families affected by myasthenia gravis, a highly misdiagnosed neuromuscular, autoimmune disease in which communication between the nerve and muscle is impaired, causing weakness. Dr. Pourmand received the award at the MGFA annual meeting in Arlington, Va., on April 20.
According to the MGFA, the Doctor of the Year is one who best demonstrates his/her commitment to furthering the mission of the MGFA. This mission is to facilitate timely diagnosis and optimal care of individuals affected by myasthenia gravis and to improve their lives through patient services, public information, medical research, professional education, advocacy and patient care. The MGFA, which includes 30 chapters nationwide, is the only volunteer health agency dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis.
"Dr. Pourmand has been central to creating more awareness about myasthenia gravis in New York and all over the country," says Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
Myasthenia gravis affects approximately 20 out of every 100,000 in the United States and can occur at any age. The most common symptoms are: weak arms or breathing muscles, and manifestations such as droopy eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speech, swallowing, and smiling and generalized fatigue. The cause of the disease is unknown and there is no cure.
An active member of MGFA since 1994, Dr. Pourmand was instrumental in establishing the Suffolk County support group for the Metro New York Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation in 2001. He frequently attends support meetings and provides treatment and research information to patients and their families to further their knowledge. Dr. Pourmand also encourages patients to participate in lectures and seminars about the disease for medical students. His dedication and work with the Metro New York Chapter and support group earned him the Chapter’s Physician of the Year Award in 2003 and 2006.
Dr. Pourmand is board certified in Neurology, Electromyography, Electroencephalography, and Clinical Neurophysiology. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. Dr. Pourmand resides in Stony Brook with his wife, Fay.
Rahman Pourmand, M.D., Director of the Neuromuscular Disease Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center received the "2007 Doctor of the Year" Award from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). Pictured with Dr. Pourmand, center, at the MGFA annual meeting are, from left: Fay Pourmand, his wife; Mojgan Pourmand, his daughter; Cindie Killeen, Chair of the New York Metro Chapter of MGFA; Debbie Thompson, Vice Chair; Denise Gotimer, Treasurer; Dr. Denise Delpratt-Sampson, Director, and Sue Klinger, Secretary.
