Biography: John Richert

Photo by Bill Stanton

Noted MS researcher John Richert, M.D., began his position as Vice President of Research and Clinical Programs on April 11, 2005. Formerly, he was Professor and Chair of Microbiology and Immunology, Professor of Neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center, and Director of the Georgetown MS Research Center.

"New biomedical tools and techniques, plus new knowledge in many intersecting fields mean we can really tackle MS in new ways," stated Dr. Richert. "We'll need to raise a great deal more money to keep exciting work on track. The next few years are crucial," he added.

In addition to heading the world's leading MS biomedical, clinical, and healthcare policy research initiatives, Dr. Richert is overseeing the Society's extensive professional information and education programs. Of these efforts, he commented, "What good are new therapies if people with MS aren't getting them? It's crucial that we continue to work with health professionals, insurers and policy makers to ensure the best possible outcomes for people living with this disease now."

John Richert earned his B.A. from Cornell University, then an M.D. from the University of Rochester Medical School. He did his residency in medicine at the University of Rochester, served in the U.S. Air Force for two years, and did another residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Richert then pursued his interest in myelin and immunology by accepting a postdoctoral fellowship from the National MS Society, conducting studies at the National Institutes of Health for several years before joining the faculty at Georgetown in 1980.

As a practicing neurologist and researcher, Dr. Richert has won research support from the National MS Society, NIH and other agencies for his work on clinical trials and for basic studies of immune system gene expression in MS. Dr. Richert is listed in Who's Who in America, The Best Doctors in America and America's Top Doctors. He has authored and co-authored over 90 journal articles and many other publications, and is a long-time volunteer for the National MS Society.