SomnusNooze

Dr. David Rye Receives First-ever HF Impact Award

The HF is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, but did you ever wonder who came up with the idea for the HF? The answer is David B. Rye, MD, PhD, of Emory University. In addition to Dr. Rye’s pioneering research on idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), Dr. Rye recognized that people with IH deserved a foundation dedicated to their unmet needs, and thus he encouraged stakeholders to form the HF. For his vision and his dedication to the IH community, Dr. Rye received the HF’s first-ever Impact Award at our Patient Education Meeting in Seattle on June 29.

Dr. Rye, a professor of neurology at Emory University’s School of Medicine and the director of research for Emory Healthcare’s Program in Sleep Medicine, is an internationally-recognized expert in IH, narcolepsy and related disorders of excessive sleepiness. He is also an expert in movement disorders in sleep, particularly restless legs syndrome (RLS). In 2007, Dr. Rye was part of the international team that identified the first gene variant associated with RLS, a neurological condition characterized by periodic leg movements in sleep and the irresistible urge to move the legs. He also led a team that linked RLS to high blood pressure and related vascular risks.

From his work with the RLS community (and the resulting RLS Foundation), Dr. Rye realized that the IH community, too, would benefit from a nonprofit organization whose mission was to improve the lives of people with this chronic neurological condition. Accordingly, he encouraged three people who shared his vision and his desire to help the IH community – Jennifer Beard, Catherine Murray and Catherine Page-Rye – to form a nonprofit organization whose purpose was to support people living with IH and to push for more research into IH. In 2014, Dr. Rye’s vision became reality, when these three women formed the Hypersomnia Foundation.

Share Post

SomnusNooze Home Page

SomnusNooze Editions/Archives
Disclaimer

The contents of this website, including text, graphics and other material, are for informational purposes only. This website is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always consult your own attorney or other legal advisor with any legal questions you may have. The Hypersomnia Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, lawyers, legal advisors, products, procedures, opinions or other information referenced on this website. Reliance on any information on this website is solely at your own risk.

The Hypersomnia Foundation makes no representations or warranties about the satisfaction of any government regulations requiring disclosure of information on prescription drug products. In no event shall The Hypersomnia Foundation be liable for any damages (including without limitation incidental and consequential damages) or costs (including without limitation attorney’s fees) based on any claim arising from the use of this website and/or its content.