2 Highlights of the 12th Annual Public Forum

2 Fashion Fundraiser Promotes Positive Body Image

3 Harvard Medical School Celebrates Endowed Professorship

4 Update: Longitudinal Study

4 Newest Research Collaborations

5 Research and Publications

5 Staying in Touch

5 New England Research Collaborative

6 Presentations and Conferences

6 On the Advocacy Front

7 The Harris Center in the Media

7 Training Tomorrow’s Scientists: Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

8 Matina S. Horner, Ph.D. Fellowship

11 The Harris Center at MGH Donor List

12 Acknowledgments Our Condolences Mission Statement Photo Credits

InsIde thIs Issue

AnnuAL�uPdAteFall 2008

harris center for educationand advocacy in eating Disordersat Massachusetts General Hospital

Between February and June, 2008, Harris Center Associate Director Debra L. Franko, Ph.D., was on sabbatical in Melbourne, Australia, where she gave seven presentations about eating disorders. Her topics included:

   Prevention of Eating Disorders Across the Developmental Spectrum

   Risk Factors for Depression in Black and White Adolescent Girls: The Role of Body Dissatisfaction, Pubertal Timing, Stress, and Coping

   Eating Disorders: What Can We Learn from Longitudinal Data?

   Internet Programs for Eating Disorder Education and Prevention: Targeting Adolescents and University Students

   Decreasing Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

In presenting her research on eating disorders prevention, Dr. Franko described the development and testing of several multi-media programs that have been well received and shown to effect a num-ber of positive changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adolescents and young adults. Dr. Franko looks back on her sabbatical as enriching and energizing. “It was a wonderful opportunity to share our work at the Harris Center with clinicians and researchers in Australia.”

dr. Franko speaks in Australia

“Inspiring.” “Upbeat.” “Empowering.” These are just a few examples of the enthusiastic feedback we received from attendees of our March 11, 2008 public forum,

“Redefining Perfection: Beauty, Fashion, and Body Image.” This was the 12th in our series of annual forums designed to educate the commu-nity about eating disor-ders and to provide an environment suitable for open discussion of this topic. Co-sponsored by the Eating Concerns Hotline and Outreach (ECHO) at Harvard University, this year’s event took place at the Radcliffe Gymnasium, drawing about 175 students, par-ents, clinicians, and educators. Frances Rivera, 7NEWS anchor, served as moderator for the evening.

To open the program, Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, recalled her dreams of being a “perfect balle-rina” and explained how seeing “older, successful” danc-ers at summer camp during her early teens aroused her fears of failure and contributed to her development of anorexia nervosa. After detailing what had helped her regain her health — professional treatment, switching from ballet to musical theater and recognizing that beauty comes from within — she highlighted her de-cision to spend her year as Miss America helping other young people feel strong from the inside out.

Next, Paige Adams-Geller, founder and designer of Paige Premium Denim and author of Your Perfect Fit, talked about her teenage longing to be “skinny and beautiful” and about her descent into anorexia nervosa during her years as a fashion model. Looking back on her journey to recovery, she emphasized, “I needed to

figure out who Paige is.” She went on to discuss how she became a designer and created a brand of jeans celebrating the motto, “Love your body. Be comfortable in your genes.”

The final speaker was Los Angeles fashion designer Bradley Bayou — author of The Science of Sexy — who revealed that his daughter’s development of an eating disorder three years ago prompted him to take a stand against the trend for ultra-thin fashion models. In outlining the resistance he faced when he ap-proached the Council of Fashion Designers of America for support, he underscored how important it is for top designers, magazine editors, and parents to work together to pro-tect the health of models and to send our nation’s youth positive, realistic body messages.

An engaging question-and-answer period followed the presentations. The Harris Center’s book, Unlocking the Mysteries of Eating Disorders, as well as the speakers’ books, were available for purchase following the program.

On February 14, 2008, Harvard Medical School held a celebration of the establishment of the Endowed Professorship in Psychiatry in the field of Eating Disorders and the selection of David B. Herzog, M.D., as the first incumbent. The Endowed Professorship, or

“Chair,” will provide lasting leadership to the Harvard medical community, in support of the multidisciplinary research that is critical to finding effective treatments for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Attending the event were 100 guests, including Dr. Herzog’s friends, family, fellow clinicians, researchers, and members of the community. Distinguished speakers addressed the significance of the professorship and testified to Dr. Herzog’s outstanding qualifications for the posi-tion — Jeffrey S. Flier, M.D., Dean of Harvard Medical School; Peter Slavin, M.D., M.B.A., President of MGH; Jerrold Rosenbaum, M.D., Chief of Psychiatry at MGH; and Karsten Windeler, who spoke from a father’s per-spective about the challenges of coping with eating disorders. Mr. Windeler read a letter he had written to Dr. Herzog in honor of the event:

“Etiam si omnes – ego non!”

“Although everyone agrees as follows – not I!”

Muy apreciado Dr. Herzog,

It seems to me, that although these words were spo-ken in a different context, those afflicted with eating disorders somehow feel the same way. The tragic puzzle is why persons who are usually unique and intelligent

feel and say “not I” in part because of their own uncertainty concerning their uniqueness, which however does not need special affirmation of singularity.

You and your colleagues have worked very hard to find an answer to this conundrum in order to help patients and their families and friends find a trail out of darkness and despair. We are therefore most grate-ful that the efforts to establish the Chair for Eating Disorders at the Harvard Medical School have suc-ceeded and especially that you have been entrusted with its first professorship.

Congratulations! We are most hopeful that you and your colleagues will advance the knowledge about this flabbergast-ing affliction and that more and more help will become available to all patients. Hard work still lies ahead.

Labora este ora. Although not meant

quite in that way by this slightly altered row of Benedictine Monks, may your work answer our prayers and those of our patients, because we can still love completely without completely understanding.

God bless you and your loved ones, Dr. Herzog.

Un fuerte abrazo de, Karsten and Henriette

The Endowed Professorship would not have been possible without unwavering support from our community. We are extremely appreciative to all of you who contributed. Your generosity has created a legacy that will sustain the Center’s efforts for generations to come.

32

highlights of the 12th Annual Public Forum harvard Medical school Celebrates endowed Professorship

Love your body. Be comfortable in your genes.

Dr. Herzog with Frances Rivera, the moderator for the Forum

Nancy Harris (front) with Forum speakers: Paige Adams-Geller (back left),

Bradley Bayou, and Kirsten Haglund

left to right: Lynne Brainerd, Cynthia Mohr, Nancy Harris, and Michael Douvadjian at 2008 Public Forum

left to right: Jennifer Rathbun, M.D., David B. Herzog, M.D., and Dean Jeffrey S. Flier, M.D.

Karsten Windeler

Fashion Fundraiser Promotes Positive Body Image

As an exciting prelude to our public forum, the National Jean Company’s boutique in Newton, Massachusetts hosted acclaimed designer Paige Adams-Geller on March 9 and 10, 2008, to usher in her spring denim styles and to talk with customers about the importance of feeling comfortable in one’s body. Among the jeans, colorful tank tops, and tote bags that attracted a steady flow of shoppers were free educational materials from the Harris Center, discussing the signs of eating disorders and treatment options. harriscentermgh.org

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stAyIng In touChupdate: L�ongitudinal study “What will I be like in 5, 10 or 20 years?” This is a question posed by many eating disorder patients and families, and our central research project attempts to answer it.

For two decades, we have followed 246 women with anorexia and bulimia who initially sought treatment in Boston-area hospitals. The largest study of its kind, this investigation maps the course and outcome of eating disorders, trying to determine how patients fare over time. Who gets better and how? We’ve collected data by interviewing participants at regular intervals about their eating behaviors, their physical and emotional health, and their functioning in school, work, and social activi-ties. The project has already generated over 30 published articles about eating disorders, covering topics such as remission, relapse, pregnancy, coexisting substance abuse, and diagnostic classification. We work hard to maintain the cohort for our Longitudinal Study and are seeking National Institute of Mental Heath funding to conduct our 20-year follow-up.

newest Research CollaborationsThe Center is predicated on our belief that comprehen-sive interdisciplinary research is key to understanding eating disorders. The following provide a taste of our current research collaborations:

Can negative public perceptions of eating disor-ders be reduced by presenting these illnesses more from a biological perspective than from a sociologi-cal one? To address this question, we are working with Boston University on a pilot project on reduc-ing stigma in eating disorders. Participants in the study will be shown one of several videos, each of which contains a different message about the causes of anorexia nervosa. Afterwards, their opinions of and attitudes toward individuals with anorexia will be measured in order to determine which messages are associated with the least stigmatizing attitudes.

We are collaborating with Drexel University in Philadelphia to study weight suppression in bulimia nervosa. During the development of this illness, many individuals lose an appreciable amount of weight. Over time, do they regain the pounds that they lost, or gain to an unhealthy weight?

For over a decade, we have worked alongside the Neuroendocrine Unit at MGH to learn more about the relationship between eating disorders and osteo-porosis. We recently submitted a grant to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to examine the use of replacement testosterone in women with anorexia nervosa.

This past July we submitted a grant titled “Treatment Response in Ethnic Minority Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder” to the NIMH. For this project, 14 researchers from across the country will provide us with data from different psychotherapy trials for binge eating disorder.

Research and PublicationsSo far this year, we have published 22 research articles with an additional few in press. Here are examples of this work:

 Eddy, K.T., Dorer, D.J., Franko, D.L., Tahilani, K., Thompson-Brenner, H., Herzog,

D.B. ▶ “Diagnostic Crossover in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa: Implications for DSM-V.” American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008; 165: 245-50.

 Franko, D.L., George, J.B. ▶ “A Pilot Inter-vention to Reduce Eating Disorder Risk in Latina Women.” European Eating Disorders Review. (In press.)

 Misra, M., Prabhakaran, R., Miller, K.K., Goldstein, M.A., Mickley, D., Clauss, L., Lockhart, P., Cord, J., Herzog, D.B., Katzman, D.K., Klibanski, A. ▶ “Weight Gain and Restoration of Menses as Predictors of Bone Mineral Density Change in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa-1.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008; 93: 1231-7.

 Prabhakaran, R., Misra, M., Miller, K.K., Kruczek, K., Sundaralingam, S., Herzog, D.B., Katzman, D.K., Klibanski, A. ▶ “Determinants of Height in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa.” Pediatrics. 2008; 121: e1517-23.

 Thompson-Brenner, H., Eddy, K.T., Dorer, D.J., Franko, D.L., Vashenko, M., Kass, A.E., Herzog, D.B. ▶ “A Personality Classification System for Eating Disorders: A Longitudinal Study.” Comprehensive Psychiatry. (In press.)

54— Continued on Page 5

Dr. Herzog (left) with Christopher and Susan Conkey

left to right: Jennifer Rathbun, M.D., Kita Reece, Eugene Beresin, M.D.

left to right: Andy and Debbie Cable, Dr. Herzog, Austin Cable

— Continued from Page 3

More Photos from harvard Medical school Celebration

new england Research CollaborativeIn 2006, the Harris Center and the Neuroendocrine Unit at MGH established the New England Research Collaborative to promote interaction among research-ers in the field of eating disorders. The Collaborative hosts several symposia per year, offering scien-tists, clinicians, and educators the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn about recent advances in the field, and talk about where eating disorders research should be heading. Attended by at least two dozen professionals, these forums feature presentations on particular topics followed by group discussion. The April 7, 2008 meeting focused on “Treating Boys and Men with Eating Disorders,” “Parent Training for Patients with Anorexia Nervosa,” and “Research Update: The Genetics of Eating Disorders.” The next symposium is scheduled for this fall.

harriscentermgh.org

We’d L�ike your Feedback

Designed to be reader-friendly and accessible to the community at large, our book Unlocking the Mysteries of Eating Disorders was published in 2007. Have you read it? Was it helpful? Why or why not?

supplementing our Fall newsletter

In addition to our fall Newsletter, we will offer e-mail updates to our friends and supporters. Anticipated to start in 2009, these quarterly summaries will keep you “in the know” about our progress as we march forward to fulfill our mission. To sign up for our e-mail updates or to learn more about them, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

harriscentermgh @ partners.orgOur phone number is (617) 726-8470

Presentations and Conferences

september 25 – 27, 2008

Eating Disorders Research Society Annual Meeting, Montreal Kamryn T. Eddy, Ph.D., “Can changes in psychosocial

functioning inform the nosology of eating disorders?”

Debra L. Franko, Ph.D., “Motivation, self-efficacy, physical activity, and nutrition in college students: A randomized controlled trial of an Internet-based education program.”

David B. Herzog, M.D., “Does weight suppression predict weight gain in bulimia nervosa patients over time?”

May 14 – 17, 2008

International Conference on Eating Disorders, Seattle Kamryn T. Eddy, Ph.D., “Empirical identification and

validation of eating disorder phenotypes in a multi-site clinical sample”; “EDNOS or partial recovery? A longitudinal investigation of subthreshold presen-tations in women with lifetime anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.”

Andrea Kass, B.A., “Predictors of recovery from major depressive disorder in a clinical sample of women with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.”

May 3 – 8, 2008

American Psychiatric Association Symposium, Washington, D.C. David B. Herzog, M.D., “Diagnosis and assessment of

eating disorders.”

March 16, 2008

MGH/Harvard Medical School class, “Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology,” Boston David B. Herzog, M.D., “Eating disorders.”

on the AdVoCACy FRonteating disorders CoalitionThe Center is a founding member of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC). Through the EDC, we ally with other pro-fessional and advocacy-based organizations to raise awareness of eating disorders and to promote fed-eral support for improved access to care, parity, and research. April, 2008, ushered in a special series of EDC-hosted events — a lobby day, a Congressional Briefing, and a reception — to launch the FREED Act, (Federal Response for Elimination of Eating Disorders), which will establish Centers of Excellence to support programs in eating disorders research, treatment, and prevention. We hope you will join us and the EDC as we build momentum for this exciting, comprehensive piece of legislation. For more information, please visit eatingdisorderscoalition.org.

eating disorders and Mental health Parity in MassachusettsAs we collaborate with the Coalition to promote federal recognition of eating disorders, we also strive for legisla-tion at the state level. In Massachusetts, as in many other states, health insurance companies have often denied payment for eating disorder treatment. So we were very excited this past July when the Massachusetts Senate approved a mental health parity bill requiring health insurance companies to cover all conditions listed in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders — including eating disorders.

Also important is the Harris Center’s role as a con-sultant to Representative Kay Khan, who has sponsored legislation entitling eating disorders to full coverage for treatment; if this bill (H. 989) passes, insurance compa-nies will no longer have the power to cut off payment for services once a patient with an eating disorder becomes medically stable. To promote this legislation, Dr. Herzog has met with Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi and spoken at a number of state house briefings to educate policymakers about the severity of eating disorders and to emphasize why H. 989 is crucial to getting patients the comprehensive care they need. Stay tuned! We’ll keep you posted as Rep. Khan’s bill moves forward.

the harris Center In the MediaCentral to our mission is sharing our knowledge with the community at large. To this end, we often provide magazine, newspaper, and TV reporters with informa-tion about eating disorders. Here, we bring you just a few Harris Center media highlights from this past year.

“Conquering Eating Disorders: Newton Resident Dr. David Herzog Leads the Way,” by Ellen Glazer, has been accepted for publication in Newton magazine.

“Starved for Adequate Care,” an op-ed by Dr. Herzog, Nancy Matsumoto, and Dr. Marcia Herrin, ran in the Los Angeles Times on June 28, 2008.

In a feature on nonprofit organizations, the summer, 2008 issue of Boston Common magazine showcased five photographs from the Harris Center’s March 11, 2008 Public Forum.

Dr. Herzog discussed “Kids and Body Image” on the March 31, 2008 Fox 25 Morning News on TV.

Between March 11 and 13, several TV net-works, including Fox 25, and a number of newspa-pers — Women’s Wear Daily, The Boston Globe, and The Boston Herald — covered the Harris Center’s 12th Annual Public Forum, Redefining Perfection: Beauty, Fashion and Body Image. Bradley Bayou’s presentation at our Forum sparked a New York magazine online article about his campaign on behalf of models.

On February 11, 2008, The Northwest Indiana Times published “Plagued by Fat Thoughts,” in which Dr. Herzog discussed the dangers of media images that idealize thinness. The article summarized Unlocking the Mysteries of Eating Disorders and offered advice from the Harris Center about how to resist unhealthy cultural messages about body size and shape.

Dr. Herzog and Dr. Franko wrote an article titled “Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa,” which was posted on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s website in January, 2008.

tRAInIng toMoRRoW’s sCIentIstsPostdoctoral Fellowship ProgramThe David B. Herzog Postdoctoral Fellowship, funded through an anonymous grant, was established in 2007 to train professionals in the specialized treatment of individuals with eating disorders. It is our pleasure to be working with Dr. Kamryn T. Eddy, who received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Boston University in July, 2007 and then became the Harris Center’s first postdoctoral fellow. The author of over 25 published re-search papers and book chapters, Dr. Eddy is focusing her fellowship research on the diagnostic classification of eating disorders. That is, she studies how accurately the current diagnostic system, which includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eat-ing disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), applies to individuals with disordered eating. This line of research has the broader aim of informing the development of more empirically valid and clinically meaningful eating disorder diagnoses. This topic is of crucial importance because how we define these illnesses influences our efforts to understand, treat, and prevent them.

Several papers from Dr. Eddy’s fellowship have recently been published. One investigates diagnostic crossover in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, another addresses whether bulimia nervosa should be subtyped by history of anorexia nervosa, and a third examines eating disorder not otherwise specified, in adolescents. She received two awards recognizing her work in eating disorders research this year — the Livingston Award, from Harvard Medical School and the Clinical Research Day Psychiatry Award, from Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Eddy is now ap-plying for a National Institute of Mental Health grant that would allow her to expand her research on the diagnostic classification of eating disorders.

7

Kamryn T. Eddy, Ph.D.

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on harvard university’s Campus

The Center provides direct outreach to Harvard University students. This past year, Dr. Herzog visited the course “Food, Culture, and Gender” to discuss his work with eating disorders and held an educational session for an undergraduate organization called

“Coffee with a View.” In addition, he joined a group of residence advisors and students for dinner to increase their understanding of eating disorders and to offer them guidance regarding how to interact with

individuals at risk.

harriscentermgh.org6

Valerie CharatI am working part-time advising freshmen at a local private high school. In addition, I continue to do contract work with Kids Korps USA, a non-profit youth volunteer organization. But of course the most amazing job is being mom to one-year-old Cole.

Maria Cristina Cruza-GuetOur second child, Nicolas, was born on December 17! In addition, I have been teaching at Lehigh University in the counseling mas-ter’s program. With respect to eat-ing disorders, I have been collabo-rating on a study that investigates eating attitudes and behaviors among college athletes and members of Greek organizations.

Loren GianiniI am currently continuing on as a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of New Mexico. The literature review that I conducted while at the Harris Center has been central to the formulation of my dis-sertation, which will be exploring self-objectification.

Stacey DiPalmaIn the past year I finished my medi-cal training at Brown University and will officially receive my M.D. in May. I spent a lot of time working with patients who suffer from eating disorders and other addictions. In June I will be moving to Long Island and starting my residency in psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Hospital.

Natalie FreedIn May 2008, I graduated with an M.D. from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa. In June 2008, I began residency training in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Maria FrischI finish my pre-requisite coursework for medical school this semester and my MCAT/applications are this sum-mer! Changing course from my Ph.D. program was a difficult decision for me, but I know it was the right one. I have loved my coursework over the past year and can’t wait to begin medical school.

Dara GreenwoodI am finishing up my fourth year as an Assistant Professor in the Communication Studies Department at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I’m also a Faculty Associate at the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Institute for Social Research and an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Psychology. My work continues to focus on the intersec-tion between emotional health and well-being (including body image) and involvement with media characters and programs, and I have been trying to publish work in both communication and psychology journals.

Lareina La FlairI have finished the first year of a doc-toral program in mental health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As a continuation of a project I began at the Harris Center, I am researching the relationship be-tween sexual violence and adverse psychiatric outcomes, with a particular focus on eating disorders in ethnic minorities. A paper from my work with the Harris Center has just been accepted for publication by the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

Sarah MerharI am finishing up my sophomore year at Mt. Holyoke College. I am now a Neuroscience major. I have been taking courses in organic chemistry, genetics, cellular biology, experimental design in statistics, gender studies, and religion.

During her fellowship, Dr. Eddy is providing psy-chotherapy to individuals of all ages with eating dis-orders, under the supervision of Dr. Herzog and Dr. Franko. About these clinical experiences, Dr. Eddy expresses enthusiasm. “Clinical work with individuals who are struggling with eating disorders is difficult and, simultaneously, incredibly rewarding. I am learning a lot from my work this year and I hope to continue to develop my abilities to more effectively treat people with these illnesses.”

Looking to the future, we have invited Dr. Eddy to continue her research and clinical work here at the Harris Center. “I couldn’t be happier about remaining at the Harris Center and I am thrilled to continue to learn from Dr. Herzog and Dr. Franko. The opportu-nities for research collaboration and clinical training at the Harris Center and the Massachusetts General Hospital community are incredible. I look forward to the coming years!” Dr. Eddy is becoming a leader in the field of eating disorders and we are delighted to have her on our team.

Matina s. horner, Ph.d. FellowshipIn 1997, we established a summer fellowship program — the first of its kind — for undergradu-ate and graduate students. We named the fellowship for a founding member of our Center, Matina S. Horner, Ph.D., in honor of her strong commit-ment to the development

of women, to the advancement of science, and to the field of health care. During their 10 weeks at the Harris Center, our fellows receive supervision and mentoring as they conduct independent research projects, par-ticipate in our current research activities, and meet weekly with our staff for discussion sessions on clinical and research methodology issues in the field of eating disorders. Over the years, this program has sponsored 32 young scientists. This section introduces you to our fellows of 2008 and updates you on fellows past.

Michele CrisafulliI am a second-year graduate student in clinical psychology at Boston University. For my fellowship proj-ect, I will be examining the effects that different messages have on the public’s perceptions of individuals with anorexia nervosa. Ultimately, I hope that the project will be one of a series of studies that will help provide a scientific basis for anti-stigma campaigns.

Kyle De YoungI’m a third-year graduate student in clinical psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York. For my fellowship project, I will be investigating at what level behavioral symptoms may be pres-ent during periods of remission but not be predictive of future relapse. More specifically, I will be attempting to clarify the distinction between lapses and relapses. I hope this study will inform our defini-tions of remission and relapse and serve as a basis for my dissertation.

Jacob McGraneI attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I am a junior in the Biology department. During my fellowship, I will be working with the Neuroendocrine depart-ment on studies involving therapeu-tic strategies for reducing bone loss in anorexia nervosa. Through my work at MGH, I plan on developing an understanding of what is involved in clinical research to complement my previous laboratory research experiences.

Bryn AustinI’m an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. In April, 2008, I re-ceived the Healthy Living Research Award from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), which is a com-munity-based advocacy group based in Chicago. The award is for my eating disorders prevention work.

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Matina S. Horner, Ph.D.

harriscentermgh.org

Lisa RubinI’ve just completed my second year as an assistant professor in the Psychology Department at The New School for Social Research, where I’m continuing to examine the influ-ence of class and culture on wom-en’s body image. In addition, along with New School colleague and attachment researcher Dr. Miriam Steele, I am collaborating with Susie Orbach and her colleagues at the Women’s Therapy Center Institute on a study examining the intergenerational transmission of body image concerns.

Dana SatirThis year I have been working pri-marily as a research coordinator and clinician on a NIMH-sponsored bu-limia nervosa trial at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, un-der the mentorship of Dr. Heather Thompson-Brenner. I am also in the process of applying for funding for my dissertation, a pilot study investigating a novel treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa. Dr. David Herzog is a consultant on this study.

Naomi Ray SchoenfeldAfter graduating from Wesleyan University last spring with an Honors degree in Anthropology, I departed for Honduras where I vol-unteered for seven months for a New York based non-profit organization. I worked as a 4th-grade teacher in a rural school, participated in sustainable development workshops around the country, and founded a community adult education course. This summer I will begin the post-baccalaureate pre-health program at New York University and I intend to begin medical school in the fall of 2010.

Maria-Christina StewartFollowing completion of my course-work, comprehensive exams, and dissertation proposal for my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Hawaii, I moved to Boston during the summer of 2007 to work with Dr. Heather Thompson-Brenner at Boston University. While collecting dissertation data ex-amining the relationship between eating disorder symp-tomatology and intolerance of uncertainty, I worked as a therapist at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) – Eating Disorder Program. This summer I plan to move to New Haven, where I will begin my clinical internship at Yale University School of Medicine – the Connecticut Mental Health Center/The Consultation Center.

Jolie WeingeroffI’ve finished my third year of grad-uate training at Boston University, which included a clinical practicum at the Danielsen Insitute in Boston and the completion of my summer fellowship project on emotion regu-lation strategies used by undergrad-uate women with eating disorder symptoms. I am now beginning my dissertation research, which builds on my summer project and will likely focus on the relationship between psychotherapy process and outcome and changes in affect regulation strategies used by women with eating disorders.

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In Brief

Dr. Herzog is the Secretary of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), a 7,500-member professional medical organization dedicated to improving the lives of youths suffering from mental illness.

During her sabbatical in Australia (February – June, 2008), Dr. Franko was a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies, La Trobe University, Melbourne.

Dr. Franko is the Co-Chair of the 2009 International Conference on Eating Disorders, sponsored by the Academy for Eating Disorders, to be held April 30 – May 2, 2009 in Cancun, Mexico.

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harriscentermgh.org

gracias gracias

Harris Center at MGHStaff

David B. Herzog, M.D.Director

Debra L. Franko, Ph.D.Associate Director

Heather Thompson-Brenner, Ph.D.Research Consultant

Kamryn T. Eddy, Ph.D.Postdoctoral Fellow

Andrea Kass, B.A.Research Assistant

Meredith Sears, B.A.Research Assistant

Patti Cable, R.N.Publications Director

Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital2 Longfellow Place, Suite 200Boston, MA 02114 (617) 726-8470www.harriscentermgh.orgE-mail: harriscentermgh @ partners.org

Acknowledgments

The Center would like to recognize Helen Rose for her invaluable advice for our website. Thank you, Helen.

Thank you to Margaret Boles Fitzgerald, Doug Arnold, and Ali Fine at Hill Holliday Advertising for their generous help with our newsletter.

We extend deep appreciation to Joy Eber and Nancy Harris for renovating our office.

We are grateful to all our donors for their dedication and friendship this year. Your support keeps our Center strong.

Photo Credits — Page 2: Photos by Roger Farrington; Page 3: © 2008 President and Fellows of Harvard College on behalf of HMS Media Services, photo by Liza Green, all rights reserved; Page 11: card concept by audinou/flickr.com.

Our CondolencesOn March 7, 2008, Matina S. Horner, Ph.D., lost her beloved husband, Dr. Joseph Horner, 73, to cancer. We will remember Dr. Horner for his expertise as a research physicist, for his remarkable inventiveness, his musical talent, modesty, kindness, and zest. To Matina Horner, and to her entire family, we express our deepest sympathies.

We welcome your comments and suggestions! For further details on information covered in this newsletter, please contact us.

Mission statement

The Harris Center at MGH focuses on education and advocacy in eating disorders. Through interdisciplinary research, we seek new knowledge to better understand eating disorders, their detection, treatment, and prevention and we strive to share that knowledge with the community at large. At the heart of the Center is the healthy development of children, women, and all at risk.