Elizabeth Pulsifer-Anderson
302 Dearborn Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20901
(301) 213-9533 author@refluxbook.com or gergroup@aol.com
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
PEDIATRIC / ADOLESCENT GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX ASSOCIATION, INC.
1992 - Present
Positions: Executive Director, Founder
Duties included developing and overseeing programs and projects, hiring and managing a small
staff, developing a volunteer program and supervising the coordinator, recruiting and working with
a board of directors as well as being responsible for finances, insurance, advertiser relations and
legal issues. Read journals and attended medical conferences and summarized interesting
studies.
PAGER had one of the earliest dot-org web sites and has consistently been ahead of the
technology curve for non-profit organizations. Wrote most of the content for www.reflux.org which
has nearly 300 pages, 100,000 discussion postings and receives 1.2 million hits per month. Editor
and primary author for Reflux Digest, a newsletter consisting of 25-100 pages annually.
Created a Spanish outreach program and hired a translator. Working on an ultra-low-literacy
document that is basically a picture book about GERD.
THE REFLUX BOOK, A PARENT’S GUIDE TO GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
Published 2007, Intensive Care Parenting
Position: Author, Owner/Manager
Wrote a 288 page book on acid reflux in children with foreword written by Dr. Bill Sears. The book
addresses both the basic reflux concepts and many complex topics. The writing style of the book
is reader-friendly and incorporates stories from real parents. 10th grade reading level.
CIVICALL SOFTWARE
1998
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Position: Marketing Assistant
CiviCall is complaint-management software for city switchboard operators that allows them to
answer 99% of questions from the public and dispatch public works departments. Wrote a white
paper on the use of 311 call centers to complement 911 and 411 call centers. Helped develop
marketing materials and manual. Helped develop software demo and wrote scenarios.
EMMES COPORATION
1996-1997
Potomac Maryland
Position: Contract assistant
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute contractor. Organized data on Phase I,II
and III clinical trials and Quality of Life studies. Helped create a single database summarizing all
cancer trials.
ADDITIONAL JOBS
Other jobs include working at Consumer’s Union Lobbying and Litigation office, an AHRQ
contractor, CalPIRG, a visiting nurse service, a community information/referral/crisis hotline, etc.
PUBLICATIONS - HIGHLIGHTS
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The Reflux Book, A Parent's Guide to Gastroesophageal Reflux 2007.
“Recognition of movement disorders: extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia Would you recognize them if you see them?” Primary author. Peer reviewed. Practical
Gastroenterology, May 2003.
Reflux Digest, newsletter. Editor and primary writer since 1994, 10-100 pages/year.
Editor and primary content writer for www.reflux.org since 1994.
“Mapping of a Gene for Severe Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux to Chromosome 13q14.”
Contributing author. Journal of the American Medical Association 7/19/2000.
National Institutes of Health Recommends the Routine Use of H2Bockers in Preterm Infants
be Carefully Evaluated. Neonatology Network May/June 2006, This article is a simplification of
a complex article by Ronnie Guillet.
Helping Families Understand and Manage Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux. Zero To
Three Journal, January 2009.
Katie's Blood Clot Survival Story- Age 16. Slender. Non-smoker. At risk for a blood clot from
birth control? Yes! Written for www.stoptheclot.org.
Several local magazine articles, numerous letters to the editor in local newspapers and the
Washington Post.
USA Today pull-out section on Digestive Wellness, lead article.
Consulted on this study: Simultaneous development of the Pediatric GERD Caregiver Impact
Questionnaire (PGCIQ) in American English and American Spanish
Got Heartburn? Understanding the molecular culprits behind a common ailment, Gene Letter,
5/1/01
“Before and after” writing samples available at www.refluxbook.com – Meet the Author.
MEDIA COVERAGE - HIGHLIGHTS
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The DNA Age: Insurance Fears Lead Many to Shun DNA Tests, New York Times, 2/24/08
With Birth Control Pills, New Isn't Always Better, National Public Radio, Morning Edition,
8/23/10
Baby Crying? Doctors Say It May Be Acid-Reflux Disease, Wall Street Journal (syndicated),
7/22/08
Clear Concerns amid Murky Debate: Patient Documents Raise Questions in Dispute on
Endoscope Infection Risk, Boston Globe, 3/27/02
Bundle of Misery; The Diagnosis for an Inconsolable Infant Might Be Reflux, Not Colic. For
Parents: How to Recognize the Problem . . . and Help Treat It, Washington Post 8/27/02
What’s Wrong with Katie, Nursing Spectrum, November 1999
A Baby with Reflux, a Family in Tumult, Washington Post, 3/12/96
NIH, NIDDK newsletter
Two Moms Act on a “Gut Feeling” and Make Medical History, Big Apple Parent (syndicated)
March 2002
What you Need to Know About GERD in Children, Is Spitting Up a Sign of a More Serious
Problem? Digestive Health and Nutrition, May/June 1999
Recognizing Reflux, Working Mother, February 2003
They Care, Four cited for service to youth, Montgomery Journal, 5/11/94
Gut Feelings, Reflux isn't just a problem for babies, LA and San Diego Parent, 1998
Kids' reflux ills genetic, study shows: Escondido family among many hoping for a cure, San
Diego Union Tribune, 7/19/00
Possible Genetic Cause for a Childhood Ailment, Washington Post, 7/19/00
Reflux may be inherited, AGH study sees genetic link, at least in children with the ailment,
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 7/19/00
Large Families Wanted, Study Probing the Genetics of GE Reflux Needs Families to Sign Up,
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Pediatric News, January 2000
The Role of Patient Associations in Research: Collaboration in the Search for a Genetic
Marker for Reflux, V-Gastroenterology, July 2000
Some Acid Reflux may be Partly Genetic, Reuters Health Wire, 7/18/00 embargoed
Possible Genetic Cause for A Childhood Ailment, Associated Press Wire 7/18/00 embargoed
After my daughter’s friend was sexually assaulted at Tuscarora High School during school
hours, she and her family asked me to take their story to the media to encourage other
victims to come forward. There is a series of articles starting in November 2006 including
local Frederick newspapers, DC television channels, WTOP and an AP wire story
Profiled in The Ferguson Report,Key Concepts in Online Health: e-Patients as Medical
Researchers
Extra weight in babies can be a perilous subject, Live Science 1/2011
7 Million Babies and Children and 6 Million Hispanics In The U.S. Have Acid Reflux, (Short
title = Babies get GERD too), Business Wire and NAPS 9/15/09 Picked up by 352 English
media outlets and 24 Spanish language outlets
Infant GERD Symptoms, profile appeared in Parenthood.com and Dominion Parenting Media
outlets
Children can experience GERD too, Star Ledger 8/17/04
Pediatric Gastroenterologists Launch Family GERD Week PR Newswire 9/30/04
Peter’s Principles- Radio Show “GERD” 5/23/10
Doctor Radio's "Dr. Ira Breite Show" 7/13/09 and 6/28/10
Studio 501 (c) 3, Montgomery County Public Access, call-in format television show
NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt, Channel 8 live interview
Recruited a PAGER member at the request of “The Doctors” to be in the audience and ask a
question
COMPUTER SKILLS
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Advanced MS Word user, creating and using style sheets, experience with references,
dynamic table of contents and indexing.
Intermediate user of Publisher, Power Point, Excel, Quick Books and Lotus Domino (CMS).
Experience conducting board meetings via GoToMeeting
Intermediate user of Constant Contact for newsletter distribution.
EDUCATION
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Iowa State University, Ames IA. Double major sociology and psychology.
Georgetown University, Washington DC. Two paralegal classes at request of employer.
RELEVANT SKILLS
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Excel at reader-friendly and persuasive writing
Familiarity with medical terminology
Experience with medical literature searching
Ability to assess project scope and needs
Ability to work unsupervised
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Interest in social marketing, low literacy materials, plain language, participatory medicine
Superb in a crisis and think fast on my feet
Able to analyze a situation quickly and propose strategies
Formerly Fluent in Spanish and German, minimal French
Ability to write using AP Style
Lived and traveled in other countries and lived in vastly different places in the US
Sensitive to cultural issues
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Comfortable working with audiences who are not strong English speakers
Can converse with both the uneducated and high level professionals, even simultaneously
Ability to judge my audience's understanding on the fly
Natural editor
Editors apply minimal red ink to my manuscripts and proposals
Ability to understand complex scientific information
Extensive experience attending medical lectures and summarizing meetings
Commended by a foundation for my clear funding proposals
Even friends who work in the medical field call me to discuss their health issues
Designated representative for several people with living wills
My family members have numerous, complex medical issues which taught me how to be a
patient advocate
RELEVANT TRAINING
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NIH, Office of Human Subject research, training on ethics and confidentiality required by all
NIH contractors and sub-contractors
Grant writing workshops from The Foundation Center
Non-profit management workshops on marketing, public relations, events, etc.
AmeriCorps Host Agency training and Volunteer Coordinator workshops
Media and message training through Ogilvy PR Worldwide
CDC Health Literacy training
AWARDS
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Nancy Dworkin Award for Outstanding Service to Youth, sponsored by the Montgomery
County Commission on Children and Youth
Health On The Net awarded a symbol of excellence to www.reflux.org 1998
SPEAKING / TEACHING
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Accomplished speaker and teacher. I prefer to teach in a casual, interactive style but I am
also capable of lecturing or motivating a larger audience.
Equally comfortable teaching formal classes or answering questions for an hour.
Able to give a succinct “elevator speech” in ten seconds or a touching three minute overview
that leaves the audience nearly in tears.
Presented oral and written testimony before Congress and helped my teenage daughter and
others compose their testimony.
Speaker at local, state and national allied health conferences.
Conducted trainings for daycare providers, dulas, speech therapists, occupational therapists,
pediatricians, lactation consultants, nurses, Genetic Alliance members, civic clubs, etc.
APPOINTMENTS
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Appointed to the Frederick County Public Schools Rape Prevention Task Force
Washington Council of Governments Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention
MEMBERSHIPS
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Genetic Alliance
Digestive Diseases National Coalition – board
Mom’s Clubs, first chapter in Washington DC – board
HOBBIES
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Reading
Sewing
Gardening
Photography
Camping
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
Fixing my 75-year-old house
REFERENCES
Professional and Writing
Garth D. Ehrlich, PhD
Director of the Center for Genomic Sciences
Molecular geneticist. Specialist in biofilm, author of 130+ articles on MedLine. First researcher to explore
the concept of inherited GERD. We collaborated and he mapped the first gene for pediatric GERD. Then
he hired me as a sub contractor to recruit subjects for the study.
William Sears, MD
Founder of AskDrSears.com, Medical Editor of Parents Magazine, author of 30+ books about children,
father of a child who probably had reflux. We collaborated on a GERD public awareness campaign
sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. Bill had me edit a chapter in his Fussy Baby Book and
spontaneously offered to write the foreword to my book.
Ed Freeman, MD
Psychiatrist in private practice. Co-author of the article on Tardive Dyskinesia, PAGER board member.
Ronnie Guillet, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology)
Author of the article on necrotizing enterocolitis and the use of H2-blockers in neonates that I re-wrote for
nurses. Author of 130+ articles on MedLine.
Jenifer R. Lightdale, MD, MPH
Attending Physician
Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Frequent speaker at North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrion
Vivian Mahl
Publisher
Practical Gastroenterology
Encouraged me to write an article about tardive dyskinesia for gastroenterologists. Relayed high praise
from peer reviewers who said, “It’s about time somebody made this topic understandable and educated
gastroentologists.”
Personal
Jacqueline Barth, OT
Occupational therapist for Montgomery County Public Schools, neighbor, friend.
Lisa Tragert, LCSW
Psychiatric social worker, neighbor, friend, mother of a child with GERD.
Frank Bevacqua
Public Affairs Officer
International Joint Commission
Neighbor, friend, professional in water quality issues on the US Canada border