Craig Lammert, M.D., a clinician investigator who focuses on autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and also serves as the executive director for the Autoimmune Hepatitis Association. The aim of his research in AIH is to better understand the genetic and environmental contributions to AIH and how these could modify outcomes of AIH patients. Dr. Lammert is the principal investigator of the Genetic Repository of Autoimmune Liver Disease and Contributing Exposures (GRACE) Study, a program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to build a database of AIH patients that includes disease details, genetic samples, and environmental exposures. He is an innovator in the recruitment of AIH patients using social media and is well-connected to the autoimmune liver disease field as an active member of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. He also is a co-investigator in autoimmune liver disease drug trials and multicenter studies.

“The Autoimmune Hepatitis Association is a vital resource for patients and families affected by AIH. We provide disease education and support but also offer opportunities for patients to connect with—and learn from—one another. As an advocacy organization, we also seek to advance research by bringing together patients, clinician scientists, and drug companies, all in hopes of eventually driving new treatments that improve the quality of life for patients living with this rare disease.”

Kerry Dodd is originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and has been a Georgia resident for over 30 years, living in Atlanta. He graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee and has worked for 35 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. Kerry has been married to his wife, Martha, for 29 years. They have a daughter, Jenna, and a son-in-law, Brody.

Now retired, Kerry enjoys volunteering at Northside Hospital and serves on the leadership team at his church. In his free time, he likes spending time with family and friends, riding his motorcycle and bicycle, playing tennis and pickleball, and traveling. Kerry has been an AIH patient since 2018.

Nadia Blessing, PA-C, is a physician assistant with over four years of experience working in hepatology at Indiana University (IU) Health. She is a member of the IU Hepatology group and works closely with Dr. Craig Lammert in the Rare Liver Disease Clinic, where she helps care for patients with complex and uncommon liver conditions. A significant portion of her clinical practice focuses on individuals living with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), giving her firsthand experience with the medical and personal challenges faced by this community.

Through her clinical work, Nadia has developed a strong commitment to patient education, advocacy, and improving access to specialized care for those affected by AIH. She is passionate about supporting patients and families beyond the clinic walls and is honored to contribute her expertise to the Autoimmune Hepatitis Association.

Outside of work, Nadia enjoys spending time with her husband, their two young children (ages 2 and 3), and their beloved Shih Tzu, Huggins.

McKenna has 15 years of experience in healthcare, with a passion for serving patients and their families through generational care in family medicine. She holds a special interest in epigenetics to develop a greater understanding of how environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and personal experiences impact health. In addition to her role as a family nurse practitioner, she has advocated for vulnerable youth as a foster parent for the past five years. She is honored to contribute to the Autoimmune Hepatitis Association with insight as both a patient and a medical provider.

“Clinical researchers depend immensely on patients’ perspectives to better understand what important questions should be asked. Patient advocacy organizations like the AIHA can help inform where new research is most needed. This is particularly important for rare diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis.”

“The best way patients with AIH can advocate for the best possible care and treatment is to educate themselves about their disease and to connect with organizations like the AIHA. When I was first diagnosed with AIH, I found support and hope in the AIHA at a time when I felt scared and isolated. My connection with the AIHA allowed me to take the steps needed to find the right medical care, join support groups with people who shared my disease, and to learn more about the complexity of AIH and treatments available. With this knowledge, I felt more capable of facing my disease head on and to advocate for the best care and treatment possible.”