FASD Hall of Fame
Billy Edwards
William J. Edwards is a Deputy Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office and has served in that position since 2001. From 2008 to 2011, he worked in the mental health court, where he represented people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Since 1994, Mr. Edwards has specialized in the representation of people with intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system. Prior to ...
Gwendolyn Packard (Ihanktowan)
Gwendolyn (Gwen) currently serves as Director for Morning Star House, Inc., a grass roots, community-based, advocacy organization for Indian women and children, who are victims of domestic violence in New Mexico. Gwenolyn has worked extensively for the past 28 years in Indian affairs, both at the national and tribal level. She has worked for such national Indian advocacy organizations as the National Congress of American Indians and ...
The Center for Behavioral Teratology at San Diego State University
The Center for Behavioral Teratology (CBT) leads the quest to fully understand Fetal Alcohol Syndrome by conducting innovative research on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Using techniques ranging from basic science to sophisticated brain imaging, CBT scientists work to identify the specific brain and behavioral changes that occur following exposure and explore novel ways to mitigate these effects. This type of research is ...
The Whitcombs
The Whitcombs have tirelessly involved themselves with FASD advocacy, education, and support. They exemplify the courage, strength, and love needed while affected by FASD. When Tyler was only 7 weeks old, Tim and Cindy Whitcomb were told by his adoption agency that he most likely had FAS. Cindy said that she and Tim felt in their hearts that Tyler had FAS, but also that he was meant ...
Dr. Ann Streissguth
Dr. Ann Streissguth is a leading researcher and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She has worked with patients with FASD, their families, and communities for over thirty years. In 1978, Dr. Streissguth collaborated with Dr. Ruth Little to develop methods to intervene in female alcohol abuse during pregnancy and prevent FASD. In 1989, Dr. Streissguth and her ...
Dr. Claire D. Coles
Dr. Claire D. Coles is a leading researcher and has contributed greatly to studies on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and research on teratogenic exposures during pregnancy. NOFAS honors Dr. Coles for her many years of continued research and longstanding commitment to eliminating alcohol related birth defects. Dr. Coles established the Fetal Alcohol Center at the Marcus Institute and continues to serve as its Director. The Marcus ...
Julie Gelo
A mother of thirteen children, leading national advocate, executive director of a NOFAS Washington, outstanding spokesperson – Julie Gelo wears many hats and is a fascinating personality. NOFAS salutes Julie for her courage, strength and perseverance and honors her through this Hall of Fame. Julie and her husband Lynn live in Bothell, Washington, with the youngest seven children and have been licensed foster parents for the ...
Vivian Botka
NOFAS is pleased to honor Vivian Botka in this edition of the FASD Hall of Fame. Vivian Botka became an FASD advocate inadvertently, while searching for services for her child and others like her. Vivian adopted her daughter Kristy at 6 months knowing she had problems, but unaware of the severity until she was diagnosed with an extreme case of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Frustrated with the ...
Dr. Ken Jones
NOFAS honors Dr. Ken Jones for his continued contribution to FASD research. He is considered to be the father of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) since he first coined the term FAS along with Dr. David Smith at the University of Washington in 1973. Dr. Jones is the Chief of the Division of Dysmorphology/Teratology at the Department of Pediatrics at University of California San Diego and ...
Diane Malbin
Diane Malbin, M.S.W. is a clinical social worker and consultant who provides support services, program development, and technical assistance to individuals, families and agencies. She is the founder of FASCETS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Education and Training Services, Inc.), a non-profit, whose mission is to disseminate information, provide training, program adaptation and implementations for people with FASD, parents, and professionals. Diane became a NOFAS affiliate in January ...
Dr. Kathy Sulik
The FASD Community is thankful to Dr. Kathy Sulik and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies for their significant contributions to FASD research. Dr. Kathy Sulik is a Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A past-President of the Teratology Society, Dr. Sulik has been described as the person most responsible for the effective teaching of embryology to clinicians and ...
Teresa Kellerman
Teresa Kellerman is a parent of a young adult with FAS and has cared for several foster children with FASD. Teresa has dedicated much of her personal and professional life to this cause and has founded the FAS Community Resource Center in Tucson, Arizona, FASSTAR Enterprises, and is also the cofounder of FASWORLD. NOFAS is pleased to honor Teresa Kellerman through this Hall of ...
Dr. Luther K. Robinson
NOFAS is pleased to honor Dr. Luther Robinson for his invaluable contribution to FASD diagnosis and research. Luther K Robinson, MD is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the State University of New York School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is Director of Dysmorphology and Clinical Genetics in the Division of Genetics of the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo at Kaleida Health. Dr Robinson graduated ...
Barbara and Rob Wybrecht
NOFAS is pleased to honor Mrs. Barbara Wybrecht, RN, BSN, PHN and her son Rob Wybrecht, for their continuous contributions to FASD education and advocacy. Barbara is a clinical nurse, specialist trainer, and consultant in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Alcohol Related Neuro-developmental Disorders. Her lengthy career in FAS/FASD/ARND advocacy and awareness began when she adopted a son, Rob, born in 1973, who ...
Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox
NOFAS is extremely pleased to honor Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox while we commemorate International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day across the country and beyond on September 9, 2006. Bonnie and Brian are great heroes and we salute their courage and spirit in advocating for this issue. Below is an excerpt from Bonnie and Brian's FASD Day press release. “Trust ...