tourette syndrome association
of new jersey, inc.

198 West High Street • Somerville, New Jersey 08876
Phone 908-575-7350 • Fax 908-575-8699
Web Site: www.tsanj.org • e-mail: NJTSA@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2004

Tourette Syndrome Honors Health Professional Of The Year

SOMERVILLE, NJ - The Board of Directors of Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey (TSANJ) has announced that Mrs. Karen Rapone, School Nurse, Health Teacher, and 504 Coordinator at Riverdale School, in Riverdale, New Jersey, has been selected as the 2004 TSANJ Health Professional of the Year.

The award is presented annually to a practitioner in the health or medical profession in New Jersey who has made a significant contribution to the well-being of an individual with Tourette Syndrome. The nomination is made by the family or individual who has received the special attention. The honor is given to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts toward the betterment of a individual’s life and to advocate for individuals with Tourette Syndrome by furthering the awareness of TS.

Mrs. Rapone was nominated by Wendy and Ken Zwoboda, whose son was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when he was in the first grade at Rivedale School. “With our first call to Karen, it was evident that our son had found a strong advocate. (She) immediately began educating herself about TS and its associated disorders.” stated Mrs. Zwoboda. “Each September, she took the initiative to educate new faculty and staff about Tourette Syndrome.”

Added Mr. Zwoboda, “Karen has always been Adam’s safe haven. Knowing we were sending our son where there was one person always in his corner was a gift.”

The annual Health Professional of the Year Award is funded through the generosity of TSANJ supporters. Individuals interested in supporting the award should forward their contribution to Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey, Inc., 198 West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. Checks should note that the contribution is to be made to the Health Professional of the Year fund.

BACKGROUNDER:

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder that is manifested in involuntary physical and vocal tics. Symptoms generally appear before an individual is 18 years old. TS affects people of all ethnic groups with males affected 3 to 4 times more frequently than females.

It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have full blown TS and that as many as 1 in 200 show a partial expression of the disorder. There is no cure for TS.

The mission of TSANJ is to support the needs of families with TS, to advocate for individuals with TS, and to educate the public and professionals on TS. TSANJ has a membership of 2,500 families and medical professionals. The organization relies completely on its membership, corporations, government, and foundations to fund its mission.

Currently TSANJ operates 10 support groups at regional medical centers across New Jersey; conducts awareness training for teachers, school nurses, students and community leaders; manages a TS help line for disseminating information about TS to parents, teachers, doctors, and others; sponsors a state-wide Family Contact Program; and works with Rutgers University at the nation’s only student clinician TS clinic, developing support programs and treatments for families dealing with TS. More than 20,000 teachers have been educated on TS to better advocate for students with the disorder.

PRESS CONTACT: Rich Reitman 908-526-1390 or 908-400-6061