Back to Chapter and Network Group Web Pages

Meet our Network Group Leader
Contact Information
Group Description
Meeting Location
Dates of Future Meetings and Events
Announcements

Meet our Network Group Leader

Coming Soon!

Contact Information 

MJ or Max Freeman
2733 NE 25th Place
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33305
(954) 261-1518
freemanmj@bellsouth.net

Group Description

The Network Group of Southeast Florida is a local meeting of the National Marfan Foundation.  We serve members in the Southeast Florida area by providing connections with peers, education on Marfan syndrome and related disorders, support for affected individuals and their families, as well as offering ways to reach out and improve awareness in the community.  We invite, support and have attendees of all ages.  We provide a chance to meet each other, seek and give advice, share resources and create an important ongoing forum for all affected individuals, their friends and families.

Our mailing list reaches out to NMF members in Florida from Fort Pierce south to Key West, west to Naples and north to Port Charlotte.  Everyone from the state of Florida is welcome!  At this time, we are only sending invitations by email because of the cost of mailing.  If you have not received an invitation and would like one, please forward your email address to us at the "Contacts" email address above.  We want you to be connected!

Meeting Location

Memorial Regional Hospital South
3600 Washington Street
Hollywood, FL  33021
Meeting in the Main Auditorium

Dates of Future Meetings and Events

Sunday, January 9, 2011 (2 pm)
Our first meeting will include a screening of "In My Hands" and continue with a discussion afterwards.  This documentary was first screened last October where theatergoers and luminaries from the film world had the opportunity to view the film about Marfan syndrome.  It was created by Ann Reinking, Brenda Siemer Scheider and Emma Joan Morris.  Rosie O'Donnell was excited about the documentary.  She said that "it is a beautifully choreographed film from start to finish;  it both inspires and informs."

Sunday, February 13, 2011 (2 pm)
Our special guest will be Dr. Roman Yasopov, a geneticist.  You will be able to meet and welcome our first doctor providing healthcare in our new "Marfan Clinic."  In addition, we will all be treated to a special luncheon provided by Memorial Hospital South.

Sunday, March 13, 2011 (2 pm)
Our meeting will focus on spine surgery and spine treatment presented by a distinguished surgeon.  Details to follow.

SATURDAY, April 16, 2011 (2 pm)
HOLD THIS DATE!

We will be treated to a Town Hall Meeting by our friend and leader Carolyn Levering, President and CEO of the National Marfan Foundation.  It will be a meeting for all of us to share information and exchange ideas on the advancement of our life saving mission and education to others in Florida who have Marfan syndrome and other related disorders.  As president, Carolyn has been instrumental in the recent praise of the NMF being described as "the poster child for rare disease voluntary health organizations."  There will also be an informational presentation on what the NMF does for you.  In addition, joining us from the NMF home office will be Kathy Jeffers, Manager of Volunteer Development.  She has guided us in structure, mission and responsibilities during the formation of the SE Florida Network Group and has been a tremendous help to us in our formation and continued growth.

And this is only the beginning...

We look forward to connecting with you, each other and all of us reaching out to others in the community.

Announcements

The Southeast Florida Network Group's first meeting was in March, 2010.  From the beginning there ws a great deal of friendship and enthusiasm.  We had a fun day at the huge Bass Pro Grounds in Dania Beach and lunch at the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant.

• Dr. Francis Castano spoke on Emergency Room Medical Care and provided informative handouts to every attendee.
• Diane Gold, a Tai Chi instructor, addressed Tai Chi techniques specifically for Marfan issues and led everyone in a session of healing exercises.
• Dr. Howard Berlin, Cardiologist, spoke to the group and took a great deal of his time to answer many individual questions.
• We had a very successful bake sale fundraiser which allowed us to donate $300 to NMF and $300 to our group choice designation for sending a kid to conference.  Thanks again for everyone's hard work and generosity!

The new year is shaping up to be a year of progress and education.

Memorial Regional Hospital will open a Marfan Syndrome Clinic!

Look for the announcement of the clinic opening in the early part of the 2011.  The clinic is being developed due to the interest, generosity and forward thinking of the leaders, physicians and staff in the Memorial Regional Hospital system.  Mid-year in 2010, Dr. Marks, Chief Medical Officer, was contacted by our group to provide a list of physicians who have experience treating Marfan patients in every scope of the disease.  When contacted, the physicians became very excited about the idea of being able to treat patients with Marfan syndrome and related disorders, and their ability to provide exceptional medical care and treatment...and the idea was formed!

Additional details will be available in the near future.