Happy New Year Family and Friends of NJCTS!
As we start this new year, I would like to thank you for your continued support of NJCTS.
Last year, brought many monumental changes for families, organizations and communities around the globe as everyone navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and businesses closed, and mask wearing and social distancing became the norm. It was also a pivotal year for NJCTS. Our incomparable and steadfast leader, Faith Rice, retired, leaving an incredible legacy. Faith has enriched the lives of hundreds of families living with Tourette Syndrome and the associated disorders. Her vision, tenacity, courage, and commitment, to stand and advocate for the TS community is beyond extraordinary. Under her leadership, NJCTS trained over 28,000 educators and 10,000 medical professionals through in-services and Grand Round presentations, and nearly 100 psychologists at the TS Clinic.
As the new executive director, I am honored to take on this role. I bring an extensive background in marketing and sales having worked for companies such as IBM and Viacom. I want to thank Faith for her exemplary leadership. I would also like to thank her, the Board of Directors and our stellar staff for their unwavering support with this transition.
In 2020, NJCTS was quick to adjust to the changing times and found renewed ways to improve our programs and services meeting the needs of our families. We successfully created over 35 virtual programming events that included youth chats, virtual support groups, and family game nights. In addition, our webinars had enrollments totaling over 700 people, and we revamped our faculty in-service presentation to include a youth advocate presenter. To jump start 2021, we will have our second virtual Global Teen Summit on January 16, where youth from around the world will gather to discuss issues of the day and learn more about self-advocacy and leadership.
I am excited about the new year and the prospects for our organization as we expand upon the legacy of our founder, Faith Rice. I am committed to serving the needs of the TS community and ensuring that TS becomes a disorder that is no longer misunderstood. With my staff, we will continue to bring wide spread awareness of TS and the co-occurring conditions by educating the public, medical and teaching professionals. We will also continue our long- standing partnership with Rutgers University’s RUCDR Infinite Biologics, identifying the causes and treatments for TS.
I look forward to meeting many of you, and forming new friendships and partnerships. Together we are changing minds and changing lives. The new year is looking very bright.
If you would like to learn more about me, please click here.
I wish all of you the very best in 2021.
Warmest regards,
Pat Phillips
Executive Director