On September 29, 2005, at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore,
Maryland, Dr. Jerrold Canakis of Berlin, Maryland, received the 1st annual
“Visionary of the Year Award” from the Crohn’s and Colitis
Foundation of America, Maryland/S. Delaware Chapter (CCFA). This award
was designed to honor and recognize those individuals who have been leaders
in the battle against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (IBD).
Visionary of the Year Award recipient, Dr. Canakis is a leading member
of the Maryland/S. Delaware Chapter Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC).
He has taken an active interest in developing education programs, particularly
on the Eastern Shore, and is involved in a study at John Hopkins University
School of Medicine to identify genes that cause Crohn’s disease
and ulcerative colitis. Dr. Canakis also took a leadership role in the
major physician/patient education program in Baltimore, Maryland last
summer, “The A-Z of IBD – CCFA presents A Day of Education
and a Weekend of Entertainment.” On top of his impressive commitment
to educational programs, Dr. Canakis, who is a board-certified gastroenterologist,
has offices located at 124 N. Main Street, Berlin, Maryland and 88 Atlantic
Avenue, Ocean View, Delaware, with active staff privileges at Atlantic
General Hospital. In addition to the efforts mentioned above, Dr. Canakis
routinely provides CCFA membership information to his patient population,
bringing hope and valuable resources to newly diagnosed patients.
IBD affects an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States alone.
CCFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to curing and preventing Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis through research and to improve the quality
of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through
education and support.