July 10, 2003, ST. LOUIS -- Alan Braverman, M.D., director of the Marfan Clinic at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, was awarded the 2003 Antoine Marfan Award, the highest honor awarded by the National Marfan Foundation (NMF) at the Foundation''s 19th Annual Conference in Oak Brook, IL.
Marfan syndrome is a potentially fatal genetic disorder of the connective tissue, which can affect the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, and effects approximately 200,000 people in the U.S.
Dr. Braverman brings a unique perspective to the Marfan community. While in medical school, he learned that his older brother, David, has Marfan syndrome and the death of their father, at age 46, was due to an aortic dissection caused by the Marfan syndrome. Consequently, when he went to Barnes-Jewish and Washington University in 1991, he had both a personal and professional interest in organizing a Marfan syndrome clinic there. Now, the Marfan Clinic at Barnes-Jewish and Washington University evaluates approximately 100 people each year.
Learn more information about Marfan syndrome.