Dr. Shareef Elnahal Appointed to the JDRF Research Committee

On Aug 18, 2021

JDRF, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, announced the appointment of Dr. Shareef Elnahal to the JDRF Research Committee.

Dr. Elnahal is the president and chief executive officer of University Hospital in Newark, a role he has served in since 2019. Before his appointment to University Hospital, Dr. Elnahal served as New Jersey’s 21st Health Commissioner, appointed to the Cabinet post by Governor Murphy and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate. He also served as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Quality, Safety, and Value in the US Department of Veterans Affairs in the Obama Administration. Dr. Elnahal has been living with T1D since he was diagnosed at age 12.

“As an organization rooted in the power of volunteers, we are excited to welcome Dr. Elnahal to the Research Committee,” said Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D., JDRF vice president of research. “His longstanding dedication to supporting the advancement of equitable healthcare with his extensive medical background will be a great asset to our organization. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Elnahal.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Elnahal has used his unique perspective as a medical professional, public health official, and person living with a chronic autoimmune disease to work towards better patient outcomes—an approach he looks forward to bringing to the T1D community.

“I am honored to be appointed to the JDRF International Research Committee. Being a Type 1 diabetic has truly shaped who I am as a person and a professional,” Dr. Elnahal said. “I know first-hand that T1D affects everything in one’s daily life – diet, recreational activities, sports, and even professional and academic life. Most importantly, I am confident that my role in leading New Jersey’s only public hospital, serving the most vulnerable in Newark and the surrounding region, will lend weight in prioritizing the health and well-being of similar communities around the world with folks struggling with T1D.”

In this volunteer role, Dr. Elnahal will serve as a member of the 10-person Research Committee. This governance committee reviews and approves JDRF’s Research strategy, proposed funding allocations and opportunities aligned to the strategy, and importantly provides the perspective of people with diabetes. In addition to their strategic oversight, the committee governs program allocations and approval of any grants over $1 million.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: