Jeff Cornett Retiring After 30+ Years of Dedicated Service
Goodbyes are never easy, especially when an extraordinary professional has served an organization with incredible devotion for over three decades. Therefore, it is with both delight and heavy heart that we announce the retirement of Jeff Cornett, Hemophilia of Georgia’s Vice President of Research and Public Policy on June 30, 2021. As a dedicated member of the Management Team, Jeff’s leadership, expertise, passion, institutional knowledge, contributions, and commitment to HoG and the bleeding disorder community are tremendous and will be greatly missed.
Hemophilia of Georgia is grateful for Jeff’s 30+ years of dedicated service, during which he has led the organization in the areas of training, research, and advocacy. Jeff has been a critical part of helping Hemophilia of Georgia achieve its goals of becoming an internationally recognized and premier provider of comprehensive care, through its many exceptional programs and services.
Jeff earned a Master of Science in Nursing and Public Health Leadership from Emory University and throughout his remarkable tenure at HoG, Jeff has been an invaluable asset and has served in many vital roles. He began as a Training and Research Coordinator in 1990, primarily for CDC-funded research on adolescent boys with hemophilia and HIV. Jeff developed and has overseen the multimillion-dollar Hemophilia Clinical Scientist Development Grant program and the Gene Therapy Clinical Trial Grant program. He coauthored the renowned informational resource, the Hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease & Platelet Disorders Handbook. What began as a day-to-day guide for Georgians living with a bleeding disorder, quickly became a resource used around the world.
Each year, Jeff has led a client group to the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Washington Days advocacy event to meet with members of Congress. He also initiated HoG’s efforts in the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Twinning Program that provided technical assistance to hemophilia organizations in Chile, Honduras, and Bolivia. These international collaborations proved extremely effective and led to HoG and the Honduran Hemophilia Association receiving the “Hemophilia Organization Twins of the Year” award in 2007. In 2010, Jeff was named Advocate of the Year by the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), as well as an NHF “Hero” in the bleeding disorder community. In 2015, Jeff was the first recipient of the Linda Smith Lowe Health Advocacy Award, given each year to an advocate whose exemplary work advances access to quality, affordable health care in Georgia.
Since 1994 when it first began, Jeff helped oversee the growth of Camp Wannaklot, a week-long residential summer camp, and the only camp in Georgia that provides children who have hemophilia or other inherited bleeding disorders the opportunity to enjoy a traditional camp experience. Each year, Jeff has graciously served as a camp counselor and participated in all camp activities with the campers.
Jeff reflects fondly over his time at Hemophilia of Georgia. “I've spent the majority of my life working for HoG. Who I am today has been greatly shaped by the relationships I've had with families with inherited bleeding disorders. I've been so inspired by their courage, resilience, and optimism for the future. My long career has allowed me to see the babies from the 90s grow up to have children of their own. There have been vast improvements in treatment over my 30+ years at HoG and I'm glad to have had a part in moving us towards a cure.”
Edith Rosato, Hemophilia of Georgia’s CEO stated, “Jeff’s career accomplishments, contributions, and impact on HoG and the bleeding disorder community are extensive. About a year ago, Jeff moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and has continued working hard to support Hemophilia of Georgia’s strategic goals remotely. We are so proud of Jeff and all he has done to achieve policy changes and equitable access to health care for everyone in the bleeding disorder community. His talents, easy-going personality and knowledge will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Hemophilia of Georgia family and the greater bleeding disorder community, please join us in congratulating Jeff and wishing him the very best of luck in his retirement!”