The CMSC has steadily grown in membership and services since its formation in 1986 as a 501c(3) organization of MS health professionals of all specialties. The CMSC continues to be the largest and only multi-disciplinary professional organization for multiple sclerosis in the world. Although world events have resulted in ongoing concern, the CMSC has remained focused on addressing issues related to MS care and research. Through activities and services outlined in the achievement section of this report, the CMSC proactively responds to and represents the needs of our membership.
June Halper, MSN, APN-C, MSCN, FAAN
June Halper is a certified adult nurse practitioner who has specialized in multiple sclerosis for many years. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and the IOMSN.
Ms. Halper has published and lectured extensively on multiple sclerosis and its ramifications. Her numerous publications include Comprehensive Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis and Advanced Concepts in Nursing Care in Multiple Sclerosis, co-editor of Staying Well with Multiple Sclerosis: A Self-Care Guide, and co-editor of Nursing Practice in Multiple Sclerosis: A Core Curriculum. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the founding director of IOMSN, the International Organization of MS Nurses, and the recipient of the IOMSN’s first June Halper Award for Excellence in Nursing in Multiple Sclerosis. She was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in November 1999. In 2000, she spearheaded the establishment of the Multiple Sclerosis International Credentialing Board who developed the first international certification examination in multiple sclerosis nursing offered in June 2002 and bi-annually thereafter. As CEO of the CMSC, she initiated the first certification examination for MS specialists in 2004.
As early as 1995, Ms. Halper was involved in the development of clinical practice guidelines in multiple sclerosis which were multi-organization collaborative projects. She was involved in the publication of guidelines in bladder dysfunction in MS, fatigue in MS, spasticity in MS, immunizations in MS, and disease modification in MS. Subsequently the CMSC has adopted a best practices model and Ms. Halper was involved in publication of models of comprehensive care, complex symptomatic management, and cognition to name a few publications. (please visit www.mscare.org for a full listing)
The NARCOMS and NARCRMS patient registries were established under Ms. Halper’s leadership and support. Both are have become sources of information about epidemiologic information about multiple sclerosis.