DOYLESTOWN, PA (January 24, 2008) – The Hepatitis B Foundation, a world-class nonprofit research organization headquartered in Doylestown, Pa., welcomes two highly respected Philadelphia leaders to its board – Kenneth Blank, Ph.D., and R. Donald Leedy, M.B.A., C.P.A. The new board members bring many years of entrepreneurial leadership in the academic research and healthcare industries.

Kenneth Blank, Ph.D., serves as the Vice Provost for Research at Drexel University. He received his B.A. from New York University and his Ph.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Genetics. After finishing his postdoctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania College of Medicine, he was then appointed as an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He served as Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Temple University College of Medicine and subsequently moved to Hahnemann University as Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Dr. Blank’s research examined the genetic regulation of host/virus interactions in murine retrovirus infection which has served as a model for studying the genetic control of progression to AIDS in HIV infected individuals. Upon the merger of Hahnemann University and the Medical College of Pennsylvania to form Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Dr. Blank was appointed Associate Dean for Research in the College of Medicine. Dr. Blank and his wife currently reside in Philadelphia.

R. Donald Leedy, M.B.A., C.P.A., is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fox Chase Cancer Center. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Mount St. Mary’s College and an M.B.A. from Drexel University. As a C.P.A., he worked for Coopers and Lybrand for five years prior to joining the Institute for Cancer Research as its financial manager in 1971. After the Institute joined with American Oncologic Hospital to form Fox Chase Cancer Center, Mr. Leedy served as treasurer and chief financial officer for Fox Chase from 1981 to 2000. In 2000, Mr. Leedy was promoted to his current position with Fox Chase.

Mr. Leedy has volunteered his leadership expertise by serving organizations like Catholic Charities, Big Brothers, Community Nursing Services, Memorial Health Alliance and the United Way. He is also a leader in his profession, serving organizations like Philadelphia International Medicine and Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. In addition, Mr. Leedy serves as a consultant to the National Institutes of Health and various cancer centers on grants accounting. Mr. Leedy and his wife currently reside in Marlton, N.J.

About the Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. The Foundation is located in the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, which it created to accelerate its research mission. For more information, please visit www.hepb.org or call (215) 489-4900.

Leah Rice
Account Manager
Hepatitis B Foundation
215-489-4900
www.hepb.org