The Center for Inherited Blood Disorders (CIBD) is guided by a dedicated volunteer board of directors, comprised of professionals with extensive experience at local, regional, and national levels. This leadership ensures CIBD remains at the forefront of comprehensive care and diagnosis for individuals and families affected by inherited blood disorders. Meet the key figures driving CIBD’s mission:
Diane Nugent, M.D., Executive Officer, Board President/Founder President/Medical Director, CIBD
Dr. Diane Nugent is the driving force behind CIBD. Board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology, her expertise encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions including bleeding and clotting disorders, hematology, bone marrow failure, anemia, and immune disorders. Dr. Nugent’s vision led to the founding of CIBD, aiming to provide children and adults with genetic blood disorders, and their families, with comprehensive, personalized care. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being named National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year in 2005 and consistently listed among the Best Doctors in America (2007-2008). She was also honored as Physician of the Year in Orange County and received the Physician Circle of Care Award from Cal-Optima in 2011.
As a Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Dr. Nugent is actively involved in academic medicine. Her leadership extends to national and international hematology organizations, serving as chair of review subcommittees for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health, and leading program projects for hematology committees within the American Society of Hematology and the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Dr. Nugent’s training includes a fellowship at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Seattle and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and completed her residency and internship at Denver Affiliated Hospitals in Colorado. Her ability to speak Spanish enhances her accessibility to a broader patient population. Dr. Nugent’s profound expertise is central to CIBD’s commitment to comprehensive care and accurate diagnosis of complex inherited blood disorders.
Amit Soni, M.D., Board Vice President Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, CHOC Children’s Specialists, Division of Hematology
Dr. Amit Soni, board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology, brings specialized knowledge in hemophilia and bleeding disorders, particularly concerning adolescent patients. His clinical and research interests are focused on improving the lives of young individuals with inherited blood disorders. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by teenagers with hemophilia, Dr. Soni pursued innovative communication strategies through a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. This initiative aimed to develop interactive media platforms to engage teens, empowering them with knowledge about their condition to promote proactive health management and fulfilling adult lives. His dedication has also been acknowledged internationally with the prestigious Bayer Hemophilia Clinical Training Award.
Dr. Soni is an integral part of the CIBD physician team and holds medical staff privileges at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, CA. He completed his medical education at Saint George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, followed by a residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and a fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Currently, he serves as the hemostasis/thrombosis clinical research fellow director at CHOC. Further enhancing his expertise, Dr. Soni obtained certification in clinical trials and product development from UCI’s graduate program. His focus on adolescent care and innovative communication methods strengthens CIBD’s comprehensive approach to inherited blood disorder management across all age groups.
Barry Staton, MBA, Board Member, and CEO of CIBD
Barry Staton, MBA, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of CIBD, bringing over 30 years of extensive experience in healthcare financial and operational management. Prior to joining CIBD, Mr. Staton held Chief Financial Officer positions at several prominent Health Plans, including Promise/Blue Shield of California, Molina Healthcare (California division), and the Central California Alliance for Health. His deep understanding of both the payer and provider sides of the healthcare industry is invaluable to CIBD. Mr. Staton’s expertise in managing financial and operational functions ensures the center’s sustainability and efficient delivery of comprehensive care and diagnostic services for inherited blood disorders. He has been a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for over 8 years, further demonstrating his commitment to CIBD’s mission. Mr. Staton holds both a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.
Kathie Birschbach, Board Secretary Research Administrator, Hematology Research Team, Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Kathie Birschbach’s career is rooted in a passion for improving services for individuals with chronic illnesses. As the Board Secretary and Research Administrator for Dr. Nugent’s hematology research team at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, she plays a crucial role in advancing research and treatment for inherited blood disorders. Ms. Birschbach has been particularly instrumental in ensuring access to factor therapy for patients nationwide with rare bleeding disorders, notably Factor XIII deficiency. Her dedicated work alongside Dr. Nugent was pivotal in the development and FDA approval of a new Factor XIII concentrate, significantly improving treatment options for these patients. Beyond research administration, Ms. Birschbach is actively involved in fellowship training, contributing to the education of future hematologists, and supports the administrative functions of Region IX. Her contributions are vital to CIBD’s commitment to providing cutting-edge care and advancing the understanding of inherited blood disorders.
Mary E. Brown, Member President & CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California
Mary E. Brown is a dedicated advocate for education and research in sickle cell disease and related disorders. As President & CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, and through her extensive involvement with various healthcare-related non-profits, Ms. Brown brings invaluable expertise to the CIBD board. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Community Health Charities of California, and is a board member of both the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and The Painted Turtle Camp, a camp for children with serious illnesses. Ms. Brown also serves as Director of Camp Crescent Moon, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting children with chronic conditions. In 2012, she received the Legacy Award from the American Camp Association (ACA Southern California/Hawaii section) in recognition of her impactful work. Ms. Brown’s leadership and deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sickle cell disease and their families are essential to CIBD’s comprehensive approach to inherited blood disorders. She holds a B.A. in education and psychology from California State University, Los Angeles.
Randall Curtis, B.S., MBA, Member Chief Information Security Officer, State of California Department of Industrial Relations
Randall Curtis, who has lived with severe hemophilia, uniquely translates his personal experience into professional contributions that benefit others affected by inherited blood disorders. As Chief Information Security Officer for the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, he brings a wealth of knowledge in data management and security. His lived experience with hemophilia has driven him to develop hemophilia database systems and collaborate with the Universal Data Collection Working Group at the CDC in Atlanta. Mr. Curtis also served for 25 years at the Genetic Disease Branch of the California Department of Health Services. His expertise in data and information systems is critical for CIBD in managing patient information and contributing to broader data collection efforts in the field of inherited blood disorders. Mr. Curtis holds a B.S. in Genetics and an M.B.A. in Computer Information Systems, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He has presented data at national and international meetings and is involved with the Hemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS).
Bertil Glader, M.D., Ph.D., Member Director, RBS Laboratory, Stanford University
Dr. Bertil Glader, with both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees, is a distinguished hematologist and researcher. As Director of the RBS Laboratory at Stanford University and Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology, his expertise significantly enhances CIBD’s capabilities in comprehensive care and diagnosis. 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 CIBD. He also serves as the medical director of the RBS Special Studies Laboratory at Stanford and Clinical Coordinator for hemophilia gene therapy studies, placing him at the forefront of innovative treatments for inherited blood disorders. Dr. Glader previously served as Chief of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division at Stanford. He is co-editor of the renowned Wintrobe’s Textbook of Clinical Hematology, a definitive resource in the field. Dr. Glader earned his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Illinois and his medical degree from Northwestern University. His extensive research background and clinical expertise in genetic hematologic issues are invaluable to CIBD’s mission.
Conclusion
CIBD’s leadership team embodies a wealth of expertise and dedication to comprehensive care and diagnosis of inherited blood disorders. From pioneering physicians to experienced administrators and passionate advocates, each member brings unique skills and perspectives that strengthen CIBD’s ability to serve patients and families affected by these conditions. Their collective leadership ensures CIBD remains a leading center for those seeking the highest quality care and advanced diagnostic services for inherited blood disorders.
