Head of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Hears from Leaders in Atlanta in the Fight to Improve the Lives of Those Living with Sickle Cell Disease
Dr. Gary Gibbons in Atlanta on a Listening Tour

ATLANTA - Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG) Executive Director Tabatha McGee
and staff members participated in a Sickle Cell Disease Research Roundtable discussion with
Dr. Gary Gibbons, Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) on
Wednesday, Feb. 14 at the Georgia Technical Research Institute Conference Center in
Midtown. NHLBI is one of the largest institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes
of Health (NIH).

The round table was part of Dr. Gibbons' listening tour in Atlanta, during which he met with
researchers, clinicians, community partners, patients/caregivers, and advocates to hear about
the challenges and opportunities facing sickle cell patients and their families.
"It was an honor to meet with Dr. Gibbons to express our concerns on a local and national level
of a variety of issues that threaten the lives of the people we serve," said McGee. "From
inadequate hospital care to disparities in funding, the list goes on."
"I am grateful that he took the time to listen to our concerns through our candid conversation,"
McGee said. "Under his leadership, I think improvements will soon come when caring for those
dealing with this devastating disease."
Other participants included:
- Christopher Chambliss, M.D.
First Post Doc Fellow, Sickle Cell, Dept. of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
- Beatrice Gee, M.D.
Director, Sickle Cell Disease Program and Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Pain Program,
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of
Medicine
- Claudia Morris, M.D.
Research Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine,
Emory University School of Medicine
- Morgan McLemore, M.D.
Medical Director, Adult Sickle Cell Program, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center,
Grady Memorial Hospital
- Herman Taylor Jr., M.D.
Director Cardiovascular Research Institute,
Morehouse School of Medicine
- Lakiea Bailey, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Sickle Cell Consortium
- Mapillar Dahn,
Executive Director, MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc.

About Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG): SCFG is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit
advocating for and serving children and adults with sickle cell and other abnormal hemoglobin.
SCFG offers affordable, mobile, and in-person adult medical services, sickle cell testing,
specialized care coordination, educational opportunities, and food assistance. Also, SCFG hosts
Camp New Hope, Georgia's first and most popular medically supervised summer camp. A
Board of Directors leads SCFG, is served by advocates, and is powered by families, partners,
and volunteers. Together, we engage, educate, and energize support for sickle cell in Georgia.