Barbara Gordon

New Leadership Brings Strong Healthcare And Management Experience

ROCKVILLE, MD (February 29, 2008) - The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) announced today that after almost 25 years as its guiding force, its President, Vicki Ratner, MD, is stepping down from her staff positions. Dr. Ratner plans to continue assisting the ICA in a volunteer capacity.

Barbara Gordon has been appointed Executive Director, effective March 3, 2008. Gordon brings with her a wide range of healthcare and managerial experience, as well as a deep understanding of the special challenges confronting people who suffer from chronic diseases like interstitial cystitis.

"The ICA is profoundly grateful to Dr. Ratner for her tireless efforts on behalf of IC patients worldwide. Her work has had direct impact on the quality of life for all people with IC. From its beginnings in her living room at a time when very few clinicians were aware of IC, the ICA has grown to become the authoritative and highly respected advocacy organization it is now, and with Dr. Ratner's constant encouragement there now exists a large international group of superb clinicians and researchers dedicated to studying and treating IC," said Marianne Schuster, co-chair of the ICA's Board of Directors.

"I am proud that the ICA has been able to attract Barbara Gordon to serve as Executive Director. She has the perfect qualifications to lead the ICA," said Dr. Ratner.

During her 25 year career, Gordon has held senior management positions at the Association of American Medical Colleges and at consulting firms that focus on healthcare, including Eagle Design and Management. As a consultant, she has worked closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies, and has advised and guided multidisciplinary teams at healthcare advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations.

Gordon has degrees in social work and nutrition, an MBA from Johns Hopkins, and postgraduate management training at the Harvard Business School. "Barbara brings extraordinary managerial and leadership capabilities to the ICA, and we believe that after an exhaustive search we have found in her the ideal executive director," said Minna Schrag, Board co- chair.

"I am thrilled to work with such an effective and well-respected organization as the ICA, especially because of the breadth of its programs, from disseminating up-to-date information to patients and caregivers to promoting scientific research. I look forward to working with its superb and dedicated staff and to helping it expand its reach to become even more effective," said Gordon.

About Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC, sometimes also referred to as painful bladder syndrome) is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the bladder, resulting in extreme urinary frequency and urgency and severe pain. It is estimated that IC affects more than one million people in the United States. There is no known cause or cure, but there are effective treatments that can help improve the quality of life for people living with IC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the ICA, funds educational efforts to help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat people with IC.

About the Interstitial Cystitis Association
The ICA is the largest national non-profit organization working on behalf of IC patients, caregivers, and researchers. The ICA's advocacy has helped to ensure that the US has a strong IC research agenda. The ICA provides a toll-free information service for people with IC and for healthcare professionals, and nationwide individual support through its National Patient Support Advocates. Go to www.ichelp.org and 1-800 HELP ICA (1-800-435-7422) to learn more.