It is with immense gratitude and admiration for a lifetime’s work that we announce the retirements of Drs. Claude Lenfant and Suzanne Hurd from GOLD and GINA as of December 31, 2015. It is impossible to quantify the magnitude of their dedication and countless hours of service to both organizations over the past years. Initially with GINA and subsequently GOLD they have overseen the development and successful continuation of two programs which have provided practical evidence-based management strategies for both asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. Both these programs represent the work of many people but their current status as the “go to” practical, clinically relevant documents for the care of patients with asthma and COPD would not have been attained without the organizational and scientific leadership of both Claude and Sue. The recognition and honoring of these commitments is important, but the greatest legacy to the global respiratory community from Claude and Sue’s work will be GINA and GOLD’s commitment to continuing their great work. In doing so, GOLD and GINA will continue to share the common goal of maximizing COPD and asthma patient’s outcomes through the provision of evidence based global healthcare provider education. We thank you most sincerely, Sue and Claude, and we wish you both health and happiness in the years to come.
As we show our appreciation for Claude and Sue we would like to welcome Rebecca Decker. Rebecca has been working with Sue and Claude as well as the GINA and GOLD leadership in a transition phase since November, 2015. Beginning January 1, 2016, Rebecca will assume the role of Global Program Director for both GOLD and GINA. She brings many years of healthcare experience to this important role, both from the academic research setting as well as from the pharmaceutical and medical device space. She holds a Master of Health Law and Policy from Loyola University School of Law, and joins us from ResMed, where she was a Director for Market Access and Health Economics. She was most recently responsible for creating Care Management Pathways for patients with chronic conditions such as COPD, as well as developing Hospital Readmission Reduction Protocols and Payer Policies. Rebecca is based in Wisconsin, USA. Rebecca will serve as the first person of contact for both organizations and can be reached via email at: goldandgina@gmail.com.