Under the guidance of a dedicated volunteer board, the Center for Inherited Blood Disorders (CIBD) is propelled by a team of professionals whose diverse expertise spans local, regional, and national healthcare landscapes. This leadership is crucial to CIBD’s mission of providing a Center For Comprehensive Care And Diagnosis Of Inherited Blood Disorders. Meet the individuals steering CIBD towards excellence in patient care and innovative treatment strategies.
Diane Nugent, M.D., Executive Officer, Board President/Founder President/Medical Director, CIBD
Dr. Diane Nugent, a board-certified expert in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology, is the driving force behind CIBD. Her specialization encompasses a wide spectrum of hematologic conditions, including bleeding and clotting disorders, bone marrow failure, anemia, and immune disorders. Dr. Nugent envisioned CIBD as a center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders, tailored to meet the unique needs of children, adults, and their families. Her commitment to patient-centered care has earned her national recognition, including being named National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year in 2005 and consistently listed among the Best Doctors in America (2007-2008). Further accolades include Physician of the Year in Orange County and the 2011 Physician Circle of Care Award from Cal-Optima, underscoring her dedication to comprehensive patient management.
As a Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Dr. Nugent is actively involved in shaping the future of hematology. Her leadership extends to national and international platforms, where she chairs review subcommittees for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health and heads program projects for prestigious hematology societies. Dr. Nugent’s extensive training at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Seattle and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, coupled with her medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and residency at Denver Affiliated Hospitals in Colorado, provides a robust foundation for her role in leading a center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. Her ability to speak Spanish further enhances CIBD’s reach, ensuring inclusive care for a diverse patient population seeking specialized hematologic services.
Amit Soni, M.D., Board Vice President Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, CHOC Children’s Specialists, Division of Hematology
Dr. Amit Soni, board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology, serves as the Board Vice President and brings a focused approach to the comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders, particularly hemophilia and bleeding disorders in adolescents. His clinical and research interests are deeply rooted in enhancing the lives of young patients navigating these conditions. Dr. Soni’s innovative spirit led him to secure a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for strategic communications training. This initiative aimed to develop interactive media to better engage teenagers with hemophilia, empowering them with crucial information about their condition to promote proactive health management and fulfilling adult lives. This patient-centric approach is vital in a center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders.
Recognized internationally for his contributions, Dr. Soni is a recipient of the Bayer Hemophilia Clinical Training Award. His affiliation with CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, CA, as part of the CIBD physician team, further strengthens the center’s capabilities in delivering comprehensive care. Dr. Soni’s medical education at Saint George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County have equipped him with a broad and deep understanding of hematologic disorders. His certification in clinical trials and product development from UCI underscores his commitment to advancing treatment options and diagnostic approaches within a comprehensive care framework. As he serves as the hemostasis/thrombosis clinical research fellow director, Dr. Soni is pivotal in shaping the future of comprehensive care strategies for inherited bleeding disorders.
Barry Staton, MBA, Board Member, and CEO of CIBD
Barry Staton, MBA, a Board Member and the Chief Executive Officer of CIBD, provides essential leadership in the operational and financial aspects of running a center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. His extensive background includes serving as Chief Financial Officer for prominent Health Plans such as Promise/Blue Shield of California, Molina Healthcare (California division), and the Central California Alliance for Health. With over 30 years of experience managing financial and operational functions in both Plan and Provider sectors of the healthcare industry, Mr. Staton brings invaluable stability and strategic financial oversight to CIBD. His long-standing commitment to the organization, including over 8 years on the Board of Directors, demonstrates his dedication to CIBD’s mission of delivering comprehensive care.
Mr. Staton’s academic credentials include both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Southern California, providing him with a robust foundation in business administration and healthcare management. His expertise ensures that CIBD operates efficiently and effectively, allowing the medical team to focus on delivering the highest quality comprehensive care and diagnosis services for patients with inherited blood disorders. In his personal time, Mr. Staton enjoys golf, kayaking, and wine tasting, reflecting a balanced approach to life that complements his professional dedication to the center.
Kathie Birschbach, Board Secretary Research Administrator, Hematology Research Team, Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Kathie Birschbach, serving as Board Secretary and Research Administrator for Dr. Nugent’s hematology research team at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, plays a critical role in the research and administrative functions that underpin CIBD’s center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. Her career began with the State of Wisconsin’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, igniting a lifelong passion for enhancing services for individuals with chronic illnesses. This dedication is evident in her tireless work in the hematology division, where she has been instrumental in providing factor therapy to patients nationwide, particularly those with rare bleeding disorders like Factor XIII deficiency. Her collaborative efforts with Dr. Nugent were pivotal in the development and FDA approval of a new Factor XIII concentrate, significantly advancing treatment options for these complex conditions within the comprehensive care setting.
Ms. Birschbach’s contributions extend to fellowship training, where she helps prepare future hematologists, ensuring a continued pipeline of expertise in the field of inherited blood disorders. She is also an integral part of the administrative support for Region IX, further demonstrating her commitment to comprehensive healthcare service delivery. Her multifaceted role is essential in maintaining the high standards of research and patient care that define CIBD as a leading center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders.
Mary E. Brown, Member President & CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California
Mary E. Brown, a Member of the CIBD board and President & CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, brings extensive experience in education, research, and advocacy for sickle cell disease and related disorders to the center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to healthcare-related non-profits, aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by genetic blood conditions. Currently serving as Board Chair for the Community Health Charities of California and as a board member of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and Painted Turtle Camp (a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses), Ms. Brown’s leadership is widespread and impactful. She also directs Camp Crescent Moon, further demonstrating her hands-on involvement in supporting affected communities.
In 2012, Ms. Brown’s dedication was acknowledged with the Legacy Award from the American Camp Association (ACA Southern California/Hawaii section). Her academic background includes a B.A. in education and psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, providing her with a strong foundation in both the educational and psychological aspects of patient care. Her leadership and advocacy are crucial in ensuring that CIBD remains a patient-focused center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders, particularly for those affected by sickle cell disease and similar conditions.
Randall Curtis, B.S., MBA, Member Chief Information Security Officer, State of California Department of Industrial Relations
Randall Curtis, B.S., MBA, a CIBD Board Member and Chief Information Security Officer for the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, offers a unique perspective to the center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders, informed by his personal experience living with severe hemophilia. Mr. Curtis has transformed his lived experience into a valuable asset for the community, developing hemophilia database systems and collaborating with the Universal Data Collection Working Group at the CDC in Atlanta. His 25-year tenure at the Genetic Disease Branch of the California Department of Health Services further underscores his long-term commitment to improving outcomes for individuals with genetic conditions.
Mr. Curtis holds a B.S. in Genetics and an MBA in Computer Information Systems, complemented by his certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP). His expertise in data management and information security is vital for a center focused on comprehensive care and diagnosis, where patient data privacy and efficient information systems are paramount. He has presented data at national and international meetings and is currently involved with the Hemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS), continually contributing to the advancement of knowledge and care in the field of inherited bleeding disorders. His insights are crucial for CIBD’s ability to provide comprehensive, data-driven care.
Bertil Glader, M.D., Ph.D., Member Director, RBS Laboratory, Stanford University
Dr. Bertil Glader, M.D., Ph.D., a Member of the CIBD board and Director of the RBS Laboratory at Stanford University, brings extensive academic and research expertise to the center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. Following his internship in Pediatrics at Stanford University and service as a research hematologist in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Dr. Glader’s career has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of hematologic conditions. He furthered his training as a fellow at Children’s Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School before returning to Stanford, where he served as Chief of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division and is currently a Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology.
Dr. Glader’s research interests are centered on genetic hematologic problems, particularly bleeding and bone marrow failure disorders, which are core areas of focus for a center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. He currently serves as the medical director of the RBS Special Studies Laboratory at Stanford and as the Clinical Coordinator for hemophilia gene therapy studies, placing him at the forefront of innovative treatment approaches. As co-editor of Wintrobe’s Textbook of Clinical Hematology, a definitive resource in the field, Dr. Glader’s influence is far-reaching. He earned his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Illinois and his medical degree from Northwestern University, solidifying his deep scientific and medical foundation. Dr. Glader’s expertise is invaluable to CIBD’s commitment to providing cutting-edge comprehensive care and diagnosis for patients with inherited blood disorders.
This team of dedicated leaders ensures that CIBD remains a vital center for comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders, committed to excellence in patient care, research, and community support.
