Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America (BUSNA) is a 501(c)(3) independent volunteer-run organization comprised of persons diagnosed with Birdshot Uveitis. It was established in 2020 by a group of Birdshot patients living in Canada and the USA. It provides information and support for patients and raises funds for Birdshot Uveitis research.
BUSNA is a nonprofit organization registered in the State of Pennsylvania. It is managed by a Board of Directors and aims to build a stronger Birdshot Uveitis community in North America and around the world. It collaborates with several other Birdshot groups that share resources and experiences.
About us
Meet the BUSNA Board
Christine Griffith
Christine Griffith resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania and is the President and Treasurer of Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America. She was diagnosed with Birdshot in 2011 at Johns Hopkins by Dr. James P. Dunn, currently Director of the Uveitis Unit at Wills Eye Hospital.
Christine is a proud graduate of Penn State University. Prior to being diagnosed with Birdshot she held positions at various financial services organizations and served as a preschool teacher at a local church. Christine is particularly proud of being a mother to her grown children, and in her free time enjoys traveling, volunteering and outdoor activities.
In 2019, Christine co-organized Birdshot Day in Philadelphia, which was attended by patients from seven different states and included a Q&A session with Dr. Dunn as well as presentations from experts on topics such as nutrition for inflammation and advances in artificial intelligence to help treat eye disease.
She is passionate about working with the board of BUSNA to provide awareness of Birdshot Uveitis and to support both newly diagnosed and long-term Birdshot patients.
Andrea Munk
Andrea Munk, a resident of Marlboro, New Jersey, is the Assistant Treasurer and Social Media Manager of Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America. Andrea was diagnosed with Birdshot Uveitis in 2018 by a leading retinal doctor in New Jersey. After confirmation of her diagnosis, she was referred to a doctor who specializes in Uveitis in New York City. She currently treats with Dr. C. Michael Samson at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York City.
Before she joined BUSNA, Andrea was an Environmental Claims Specialist at a Fortune 500 company in NYC. She is currently at home with her children.
Upon meeting other birdshot patients at Birdshot Day 2019 in Philadelphia, Andrea knew she wanted to be part of finding a cure for Birdshot Uveitis. As a member of BUSNA’s Board of Directors, she aims to help current and future generations of birdshot patients manage their disease and maintain their vision.
Her role at BUSNA is to assist in the treasury, manage the social media, and provide creative support for all the advertisements located on our Facebook, YouTube and Instagram accounts.
“I am so thrilled to be part of this organization and cannot wait to see what we accomplish in the future!”
Mari Schlorff
Mari Schlorff, living near Barrie in Ontario, Canada, is a founding board member of the Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America.
Mari was diagnosed with Birdshot Uveitis in 2007 in her home country of Scotland after reaching out to her late mother’s birdshot specialist in Aberdeen. She has been receiving excellent care since diagnosis from Dr. Larissa Derzko, Uveitis specialist in Toronto Canada.
Mari is a retired physiotherapist, having worked in many clinical settings in Scotland, South Africa and Canada. She and her family enjoy several outdoor pursuits including sailing, golf and trail walking.
She has seen firsthand the potentially devastating vision loss of Birdshot Uveitis. Her mother was diagnosed in 1985, and she later became legally blind. Mari’s role on the board is to lend a voice from a Canadian perspective, supporting the Society and board members in many activities.
She congratulates the board on its passion, work ethic and determination in establishing this not-for-profit society to help other patients across North America as well as globally. Mari is excited to see what lies ahead in the journey toward finding a cure for Birdshot Uveitis.
Leanne Oswald
Leanne Oswald, who lives in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, was first diagnosed with Birdshot Uveitis in May of 2003.
As a registered dental hygienist, a mom to a very busy middle school daughter and elementary school son, and a wife to a busy CPA, Leanne has often wondered if Birdshot would cause the end of her career and limit her ability to keep up with her children’s schedules.
Thankfully, after 11 years of various doctors and treatments, she found Dr. Jennifer Thorne at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Hospital. Dr. Thorne’s treatment plan has been very effective at stabilizing her Birdshot symptoms and vision. Eighteen years after her diagnosis, Leanne is very thankful to still be working part time as a dental hygienist and to be able to drive (daytime only).
Leanne serves on the board of BUSNA, where she is involved in various activities and committees. She is also an admin on the International Birdshot Uveitis Society FB group, and she has attended Birdshot days in London, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Leanne appreciates these wonderful groups that share vital knowledge, support and friendship!
Liz Cohen
Liz lives in Nashville, TN. She is the newest member of BUSNA’s Board.
Liz first noticed fleeting visual disturbances in 2016. It wasn’t until 2108 that more bizarre symptoms sent her to a neuro-ophthalmologist who diagnosed her with “visual migraines”. After her birdshot diagnosis in 2019, she began aggressive treatment with prednisone and immunosuppressant medications. Her eyes have been quiet for the past year.
Inspired by her 100-year-old mom, Liz stays very active. She’s an engaged member of her temple, Kol Dodi, in Nashville. She also belongs to a book club and walks each day, often with Jasper, her dog.
A native New Yorker, Liz has worked in sales and credit in the building management field. Her responsibilities have included some of Manhattan’s most beautiful and iconic buildings.
Liz is honored to join the board and believes strongly in what she sees as the threefold purpose of BUSNA: to fund research, to share information and data, and to support each other.
Josette Abruzzini
Josette Abruzzini lives in Lake Winola, Pennsylvania. She is a founding member of
BUSNA and serves on the Board as our Blogger and Secretary.
In early 2019, Josette noticed floaters in her vision and a sensitivity to glare. She was soon diagnosed by retinal specialist Dr. Randall Peairs of Northeast Eye in Scranton, PA. She is grateful to Dr. Peairs for inspiring her to do everything possible to improve her birdshot situation.
She’s currently being treated by uveitis specialist Dr. Vincent J. Baldassano of Geisinger Eye Institute in Danville, PA. Thanks to a speedy diagnosis and additional guidance from an Integrative physician in New Jersey, Josette’s treatment has consisted of occasional Kenalog injections and a broad array of anti-inflammatory dietary and supplemental protocols.
A native of Newfoundland, Canada, Josette has lived in the US since her college days. She is a retired educator, having taught both elementary music and 5th grade STEM. She is currently honing her writing skills and hopes to someday publish a book.
As writer of the BUSNA blog, Josette works to bring awareness to issues surrounding Birdshot Uveitis. She is encouraged by recent advancements in research and believes that each person can make a difference in their own health and in helping researchers find a cure.
Tracy Grieco
Tracy Grieco, of Colts Neck, New Jersey and Jupiter, Florida, was diagnosed with Birdshot over 10 years ago, following months of visionary changes and unexplained misdiagnoses. She is currently being treated by Dr. David Chu in Palisades Park, New Jersey, and was a patient of Dr. Stephen C. Foster at MERSI, MA before his retirement. She has spent years volunteering under Dr. Chu and Dr. Foster’s direction, helping combat inflammatory eye diseases.
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University (B.S. and MBA), Tracy has also completed post-graduate work from Florida Atlantic University. She has held various positions in the hospitality industry, including National Account Manager for American Express Travel and owner/operator of a family-run motel and restaurant. She is married with three daughters and enjoys traveling in her spare time.
Tracy is excited to join the BUSNA board and “commends their extraordinary efforts along with the advisory board”. She plans on continuing the education and research efforts in eradicating Birdshot Uveitis, and helping others with the disease.
Meet the BUSNA Advisory Board
Linda Berdine
Ms. Berdine is an award-winning Executive, and Founder of two multi-million-dollar Information Technology (IT) Companies. She has been the key staff liaison to Members of Congress and has served as Officer in Charge of multi-million-dollar projects in the United States and abroad. Most recently, Ms. Berdine has been providing Executive Level Consulting to several CEOs and Owners of IT firms, as well as in the M&A field, where she provided her due diligence expertise to buy, sell, and then integrate companies. She has been an invited guest speaker for numerous Merger & Acquisition Conferences and Information Technology Conferences world-wide during her career. She has been recruited to serve on numerous Corporate and Non-Profit Boards and maintains a strong technical background in today’s technology.
Ms. Berdine founded G&B Solutions, Inc. in 2001, and served as the CEO and President. G&B specialized in information technology services and management consulting. Prior to G&B Solutions, Inc., Ms. Berdine was the Founder and President of Berdine and Associates, which specialized in systems integration and telecommunications consulting for national and international clients. Prior to creating her own companies, she served as the CIO/Director at the U.S. House of Representatives, Ms. Berdine was the liaison to members of Congress and directly responsible for managing all of the House Information Systems (H.I.S.) activities. Her organization provided IT policy, planning, and operations for all Members, Committees, and House Officers. She was instrumental in designing and implementing the first nationwide telecommunications system in the 200-year history of Congress, for use by all Members. Ms. Berdine was selected to participate in a Congressional Delegation to Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic as a member of the U.S. Congressional Task Force. She accompanied Congressional Members, and worked with the new Eastern Europe Parliaments; presenting them with Telecommunication Plans and Designs for each Country.
Ms. Berdine has received over 30 awards for contributions to the Information Technology community. She was selected as one of the Top 100 CEOs in the Washington, DC area. She received the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and she was voted Executive of the Year by the Professional Services Council. She was twice voted as one of the Top 100 Federal Executives.
Ms. Berdine’s experience includes private equity investing, and serving on Private Equity Boards. She also served on the First Virginia Community Bank Board of Advisors. Over the last 25 years, she has served on several non-profit Boards to include Board Chair of the Children’s Inn at National Institutes of Health, the Children’s Beach House Board of Trustees, the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding Center Board, and served as Vice-Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Board.
Meredith Cross
Meredith Cross is a partner at the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale). Her practice focuses on securities and corporate governance law, including counseling public companies and their boards on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure and other requirements and advising on defense of SEC enforcement investigations. In her 40 plus years of practice, Meredith has held numerous positions at the SEC in the Division of Corporation Finance for a combined total of 11 years, including Chief Counsel, Director of International Corporate Finance, Deputy Director and Director. In her most recent time at the SEC, Meredith left WilmerHale to return to the SEC in the wake of the financial crisis in 2009-2013 as Director of Corporation Finance. In that role, she frequently testified in Congress on behalf of the SEC and was responsible for a staff of approximately 500. In 2019 Meredith and her husband, John, moved to the Connecticut shore after 30 years in Washington, D.C., to be near their son and grandchildren, and she transferred to WilmerHale’s New York Office. She continues to have a very busy client practice and is involved in many activities related to securities law and the SEC, including chairing national securities law conferences and serving on the Board of Trustees and as President-Elect of the SEC Historical Society.
Meredith was diagnosed with Birdshot in the Spring of 2012 by Dr. Jennifer Thorne at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. Concerned that there was insufficient focus on Birdshot research in the U.S., Meredith and her family dedicated significant resources to raising the profile of Birdshot at Wilmer Eye, including establishing the Birdshot Research Fund at Wilmer Eye. Meredith, John and their son, Joseph, endowed the Cross Family Professorship in Ophthalmology (focused on Birdshot and other forms of Uveitis) at Wilmer Eye so that there would be more permanent funding for research of this rare condition. Dr. Thorne is the inaugural Cross Family Professor, and Meredith continues to travel to Baltimore for treatment from Dr. Thorne. Meredith and John serve on the Board of Governors of the Wilmer Eye Institute. She notes that it is just coincidence that she has two very important “Wilmer’s” in her life – there is no relation.
Anne Overhoff
Ms. Overhoff has 35 years in progressive leadership positions in health care. Her recent role was Vice President of Clinical and Chief Nursing Officer at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada.
Ms. Overhoff is a Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from McMaster University and a Master’s Degree in Health Science, Policy, Management and Evaluation from University of Toronto. She is a member of Canadian College of Health Service Executives. She holds an Excellence in Executive Leadership Certificate from Rotman, Canadas leading business school and Certificate from Dorothy Wylie Health Leaders Institute.
Her most recent accomplishments were guiding the hospital and the community with pandemic preparedness for COVID 19, which included implementing a COVID-19 ward on the Surgical Unit, as well as overseeing the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and more than 60,000 vaccinations in the community.
Ms. Overhoff was also accountable for overseeing the implementation of Epic for the clinical care team, the largest digital clinical information system upgrade in hospital history. She also has experience at the governance level. She is a Director on the Board for Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes and Ross Memorial Hospital Board of Governance. She is past Director on Board of Gamiing and Member of Friends of Fleming College.
Mrs. Overhoff is looking forward to participating on the BUSNA Advisory Board. She was diagnosed with Birdshot in 2016.
George Schweitzer
George Schweitzer is a Senior Media and Marketing Advisor. He was Chief Marketing Officer at CBS for three decades. Now he focuses on Projects of Purpose.
He is best known for leading the transformation of CBS into America’s Most-Watched Network. He led the promotional strategies for some of TV’s biggest entertainment, news and sports franchises including Survivor, CSI, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman and Stephen Colbert, the Grammys, the NFL, March Madness, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. He led CBS Marketing during the explosion of digital and social media, as well as massive shifts in audience behavior with the introduction of new platforms to consume content as well as new habits like streaming and binge-watching.
He has received wide industry recognition, including being named Entertainment Marketer of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, Marketer of the Year by Brandweek magazine and twice named to the Advertising Age Marketing 100. He is a Senior Fellow at the Annenberg Center for Communications Leadership and Policy at the University of Southern California where he is also on the Dean’s Board of Councilors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the 92NY, New York's preeminent cultural and community center.
He holds a BS in Broadcasting and Film from Boston University.