MSAA strives to be a leading resource for the entire MS community by improving lives today through vital services and support. We could not accomplish this without the help of our volunteer board members. MSAA’s Board of Directors is comprised of accomplished professionals from across the country who volunteer their time to further MSAA’s mission. With our ongoing series, Meet the Board, we hope to introduce you to our wonderful volunteer board members!

This month, MSAA is proud to highlight board member Monica Derbes Gibson, Esq.

What inspired you to join MSAA’s Board of Directors?

“Inspired is the right word! A close friend was diagnosed with MS about 15 years ago. Seeing his family plan for their future with grace and humor meant so much. For example, they left their downtown house for a house that had a pool so that he could exercise and had room to install an elevator for when a wheelchair would become necessary.

I chose MSAA because it makes real improvements to the lives of people who are affected by MS. MSAA not only helps MS patients, but it also helps people around them. MSAA also helps people with non-physical aspects of MS, which can be overlooked. It is an honor to serve MSAA as a board member.”

What are your goals as an MSAA Board Member?

“As its 50th anniversary approaches, it is such an exciting time to serve on the board. When I joined the board in 2011, incorporating new technology was a priority for MSAA. MSAA has succeeded! For example, now people can participate in webinars. There is now an online community. MSAA provides a free app to improve communication between medical professionals and patients.

My personal goals as a board member have evolved over the years. I have had different roles on the board, so of course one main goal has been to be valuable in each of those roles. Now that I am Chair of the Board, one goal is to live up to my predecessors!

The term for board officers is two years. My tenure on the board will end in June 2020, and another goal is for my time on the board to have been useful to MSAA. I want to help MSAA celebrate its past hard work and to look forward to continuing to improve lives today in the MS community!”

Editor’s Note: MSAA is extremely proud and honored to enlist the support of Monica Derbes Gibson and all of our dedicated board members who volunteer their time, expertise, compassion, and leadership to help us achieve our mission of improving lives today for the entire MS community. We are very grateful for their service and look forward to their continued support as we strive to serve more people in more places than ever before. Thank you once again Monica!