The HER Foundation has been making HG history since 2000. In honor of Women’s History Month, we introduce the four women who have been with HER since the beginning.
Kimber W. MacGibbon, RN, began researching the hyperemesis gravidarum in depth all the way back to the 17th Century after her first HG pregnancy. In 2000, she created the earliest comprehensive HG information and support website, www.hyperemesis.org, to help women and health professionals understand how to manage HG more effectively.
In 2001, Ann Marie King suffered from severe hyperemesis and was in and out of the hospital. In despair and searching for answers, Ann Marie asked her doctor if she could speak with another woman who had suffered through HG. Ann Marie’s husband, Jeremy, found Kimber, and once Ann Marie had delivered, the three co-founders created the HER Foundation and achieved 501(c)3 non-profit status. They expanded the hyperemesis.org website and launched a nationwide awareness campaign which included a briefing on Capitol Hill sponsored by several Congressman, including now Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra.
Marlena Fejzo, PhD, met Kimber online in 1999 when Kimber responded to Dr. Fejzo’s research survey. Together with other clinicians, they have published over 40 papers breaking the silence and stigma of HG, and bringing answers such as the genetic causes to the forefront of HG literature.
Aimee Brecht-Doscher, MD, is HER’s Medical Advisor and member of the Board of Directors. She was a leader in the Delphi forums that became the HER Foundation forums and part of the team to lead the organization into the 21st Century.
These four women are leaders, innovators, and world changers. As the Foundation grows into the future, we will always know our roots. HG mothers who suffered debilitating disease and loss only to change the future for every HG patient after them.
GET INVOLVED
- Participate in HG research.
- Become an advocate.
- Make a gift to the HER Foundation.
- Share your story and support other HG moms.
- Become a HER Foundation volunteer.
- Blog about HG and show support for HER.
- Share resources with local health professionals and hospitals.
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