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CEO & President

Linda Thomas Wade

Linda Thomas Wade

CEO & President

Linda Thomas Wade, CEO & President

Linda is a former United States Health and Human Services (Patient Advocate) Advisor on Blood Safety and Availability Committee in Washington, D.C. appointed under the Bush Administration and served one term under President Obama’s Administration.  Linda served several years on the Genetics Regional Mountain States Collaborative. In 2009, Linda had an exclusive White House Oval Office invitation where she met with former President Barack Obama in his first 100 days in office to discuss the challenges of sickle cell disease. She met with former Governor George W. Bush at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss the state challenges of sickle cell disease. She was also invited to Imo State Nigeria, where she was hosted by the Government to educate about sickle cell disease, dispelling myths and misconceptions. She also sponsored 30 sickle cell families to receive medical treatment for one year in Nigeria. Linda has served hundreds of clients by providing: certified hemoglobinopathy education to patients, patient advocacy, health care professional education, medical home placement, notified thousands of parents that their newborn has sickle cell trait through the Texas Department of State Health Services Newborn Screening Program, Linda was instrumental in getting legislation passed for newborn sickle cell trait testing in the State of Texas. Linda has assisted and established partnerships and relationships with the City of Austin, Austin Public Health, City of Houston, Houston Sickle Cell Collaborative, Department of State Health Services, SCDAA, HRSA among others. Linda has received numerous awards, recognitions, proclamations and notoriety for her dedication and passion for serving sickle cell families for more than 40 years. Linda currently oversees three office locations and staff located in Austin, Houston and San Antonio with plans to open a fourth.