Books and Resources

As a long-time member and supporter of the American Behçet's Disease Association, Joanne Zeis works closely with the organization in distributing books and resources for patients, their loved ones, and healthcare providers. She is also a member of the International Society for Behçet's Disease, the Vasculitis Foundation and the American Medical Writers Association. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Tufts University, with additional classes through the Continuing Education Department of Harvard Medical School, and the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center. Joanne's search for a Behcet's diagnosis was the subject of an episode of the Discovery Health Channel's "Mystery Diagnosis" TV series in 2005.

Joanne was the sole recipient of the American Medical Association's 2006 Citation for Distinguished Service award, for her ongoing work in Behcet's disease. The Citation is the only national award given each year by the AMA to a non-medically- trained individual. Previous winners of this award have included Betty Ford and Ann Landers. Joanne works full-time as a medical writer for Inflexxion in Newton, MA. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children and has been living with Behcet's disease since 1979.