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MSAA strives to be a leading resource for the MS community by improving lives today through vital services and support – and 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 new series, Meet the Board, we hope to introduce you to our wonderful volunteer board members!

MSAA is proud to highlight two volunteer board members this month – John McCorry and James Anderson, Esq.

John McCorry
Board Chair, Member of the Executive Committee and Communications and Marketing Committee

Professional Background: John McCorry of Princeton, New Jersey is Senior Executive Editor for the Americas at Bloomberg News, in charge of more than 40 bureaus and the top news from the region. Previously, Mr. McCorry had been in charge of global company and regional news operations since 2003. Prior to that, Mr. McCorry was Managing Editor for North American company news, a position he began in 1998. He joined Bloomberg as a reporter in 1992 covering municipal finance and the bond markets and helped Bloomberg News win a Deadline Club award for its coverage of the Orange County bankruptcy.

James M. (Jim) Anderson, Esq.
Immediate Past Chair, Executive Committee Member

Professional Background: Jim Anderson of Ridgeland, Mississippi is the Managing Member of Anderson Crawley & Burke, pllc, a Mississippi law firm headquartered in the Jackson, Mississippi area. An Honor graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and a cum laude graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law, Mr. Anderson is active in numerous professional organizations surrounding his private law practice where he focuses on workers’ compensation litigation, insurance/self-insurance regulation, and mediation. In 2012, he was named the Lawyer of the Year for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in the Legal Community by the Mississippi College School of Law.

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

McCorry: “My inspiration was a desire to give back. I’ve been profoundly lucky in life, and I wanted to help others. The fact that my wife, Rebecca Cox, was diagnosed with MS in 1999 of course was also a factor. Strangely enough, that wasn’t the event that landed me on the MSAA board eight years ago. That happened because my lifelong friend Bob Manley, then an MSAA board member and future chairman, asked if I would like to help because the board didn’t have anyone with media experience. I was honored to join, and have been blessed to be associated with this great organization ever since. I’ve gotten back at least what I’ve given into the effort – learning, understanding the disease and its effects, meeting some great people, and hopefully helping those affected by multiple sclerosis.”

Anderson: “In my search for an opportunity to serve the community-at-large in a meaningful way, I discovered MSAA through a friend who was then serving on the Board. After learning MSAA’s history, mission, and focus, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to participate on a Board that was making a difference in the lives of those who were impacted by multiple sclerosis. My impression has been proven valid. Learning the details of the implementation of MSAA’s mission, getting to know the MSAA staff members who do such an amazing job, and experiencing firsthand the impact the MSAA makes on the MS community has been a wonderful and life changing experience.”

What are your goals as an MSAA Board Member?

McCorry: “I’m goal-oriented in general, so I find that I match my goals to those of the organization. In that regard, I’ve tried to help define initiatives that could assist our clients – psychosocial workshops, better ways for the community to communicate, etc. I’ve worked on our goal to raise financing to fund all these programs that improve lives—today. More philosophically, I’ve tried to bring what I’ve learned in life and in my work as a journalist to the MSAA’s efforts. We have a compelling story to tell – how do we do so to reach the widest, most influential audience? What programs can we start that will not only make us a better organization to serve clients, but will contribute to the world at large? Wrestling with those sorts of questions hopefully helps all of us at MSAA and those who use the organization, and also makes for an interesting, fulfilling experience for me and all my colleagues at MSAA.”

Anderson: “My focus as a Board member continues to be on the evolution of the MSAA as the leader in providing services to those whose lives are impacted by multiple sclerosis. The Board’s governance role in achieving that status is the result of the combined efforts of the many talented people serving on the Board, working with the very talented MSAA staff, and collaborating with other interested organizations throughout the multiple sclerosis community. Expanding revenue streams to meet the needs of the MS community and improve the services offered by MSAA is a very worthwhile and rewarding challenge, but it remains the reason I continue to serve.”

Editor’s Note: MSAA is extremely proud and honored to enlist the support of John McCorry, Jim Anderson 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 John and Jim!

MSAA is proud to highlight two volunteer board members this month – Jennifer L. Schwartz, Esq. and Barry Singer, MD!

Jennifer L. Schwartz
Chair of the Programs and Services Board Committee

Professional Background: Jennifer L. Schwartz, Esq. of Philadelphia is the Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel for Lourdes Health System (LHS) and St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC). She was initially hired by LHS as its first in-house attorney, and after just three years as the Assistant Vice President, Legal Affairs, was elevated to LHS’ chief legal officer as a direct result of her foresight, strategy initiatives and legal expertise.

Barry Singer
Executive Committee Member, Chair of the Development Committee, and member of MSAA’s Healthcare Advisory Council

Professional Background: Barry Singer, MD of St. Louis is an expert MS neurologist and has been the Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center since 2008. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine since 1999 and maintains privileges at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He has been an investigator in greater than 25 multiple sclerosis trials (Phases I to III) focused on new therapeutic options. He continues to publish peer-reviewed articles, present posters and lecture globally on multiple sclerosis.

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

Schwartz: “I had been looking for a non-profit Board to join and give back to the community when, coincidentally, a current MSAA Board member contacted me and asked if I would consider joining the MSAA Board. I was blown away because just a week earlier my Dad’s twin sister had passed away from complications associated with progressive MS. She was never able to benefit from medications and relied heavily on help from others – a specialty of MSAA. One of my best friends from college also has MS. I felt that it was meant to be and that by taking on a Board position and giving it my full dedication I would be honoring my Aunt and accomplishing my ultimate goal of giving back to others through the MS community.”

Singer: “For over 15 years, I have collaborated with the MSAA on important patient educational programs nationally. My goals align with the MSAA’s deep commitment to trying to help people living with multiple sclerosis receive the resources they need to live as well as possible. For example, MSAA funds MRI scans for patients that could not afford the test which has often led to important medical decisions. Joining the Board allows me to make a positive difference on the lives of those living with MS.”

What are your goals as an MSAA Board Member?

Schwartz: “I want to contribute new ideas to the future strategic goals of MSAA. I hope to be an excellent representative for MSAA and to assist the organization in enhancing its impact across the world. It is also my goal to motivate other people and organizations to contribute to MSAA. These are my obligations to the clients served MSAA and to the amazing and dedicated staff of MSAA.”

Singer: “As a multiple sclerosis specialist on the Board, I provide a unique voice due to my insight into the desires and needs of those living with MS. I have been able to advocate for programs that will have greatest impact. In addition, I frequently provide recommendations on the MSAA’s position on rapidly changing healthcare news. As a board member, I’ve been involved with the MSAA’s national and international leadership on communication between patients and their healthcare providers. As a Board Executive Committee member and head of the Development Committee, my goal is also to develop the relationships that ultimately fund these critical resources for those living with MS.”

Editor’s Note: MSAA is extremely proud and honored to enlist the support of Ms. Schwartz, Dr. Singer, 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 Jennifer and Barry!

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