Page 35 - SCDAA Convention 2022
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2022 President’s Award
Genice Nelson, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC
Genice Nelson, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner specialist with UConn Health.
She graduated with honors in 2003 and has more than 19 years of diverse experience, especially in
nursing. Genice is committed to making a difference in the sickle cell patient community.
2022 Chairman’s Awards
Biree Andemariam, MD, and Lewis Hsu, MD, PhD
Biree Andemariam, MD, is a hematologist and founding director of the New England Sickle Cell
Institute (NESCI) at UCONN Health. NESCI serves over 300 adults with SCD in a state-of-the art,
dedicated facility where patients have access to comprehensive care as well as clinical research
trials. Dr. Andemariam’s primary research focuses on novel therapies and new pathways of care. She
previously served as the Chief Medical Officer of SCDAA and currently serves as Vice Chair of the SCDAA Board.
Lewis Hsu, MD, PhD, is a pediatric hematologist who serves as director of the Sickle Cell Center and
professor of pediatrics for the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has conducted sickle cell research,
published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and co-authored “Hope and Destiny: The Patient and
Parent’s Guide to Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait.” He currently serves as the SCDAA Chief
Medical Officer.
2022 Advocacy Awards
Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Ayana Johnson
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen represents Maryland. In September 2022, Senators Van Hollen and
Cory Booker, along with U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee and Danny Davis introduced the Sickle
Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to improve access to care for Americans living with
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
Ayana Lee Johnson is the SCDAA Teen Ambassador and makes public appearances and acts as an
emissary to support the SCDAA mission. She is a competitive dancer with many national titles, plays
the violin and competes in pageants. Ayana currently holds the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding
Teen 2022.
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