In this podcast we speak with Sarah Quillen, executive director of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, and ILADS sister organization, The International Lyme and Associated Disease Education Foundation. Sarah received her Masters in Public Affairs from University of North Carolina and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. With over 25 years of experience in the healthcare arena, including fundraising, public relations and program development, Sarah is building on the important work that ILADS has done over the years to support researchers, clinicians and their patients.
Sarah was raised in upstate New York, and grew up with ticks in her surroundings from a young age. She learned more about Lyme disease when her father was bitten by ticks on several occasions and developed Lyme disease. This experience brought to the forefront the difficulties that people can have in getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for Lyme disease. Through her professional network she learned about an opening at ILADS and took on the position of executive director last year. In this role she has taken on a variety of responsibilities in order to ensure that organization runs smoothly.