Giants of MS Awards Honor the Multidisciplinary Titans of Patient Care

CRANBURY, NJ – May 12, 2026 – NeurologyLive® and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) have unveiled the 2026 class of Giants of Multiple Sclerosis®, marking the fifth year of the prestigious award program. The seven inductees, along with a special visionary award recipient, will be honored for their profound contributions to multiple sclerosis care and research at a ceremony on May 28 during the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The announcement underscores a pivotal shift in chronic disease management, celebrating not just neurologists and researchers, but the entire ecosystem of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS. This year's honorees represent a broad spectrum of expertise, from nursing and pharmacy to mental health and rehabilitation, reflecting the complex, holistic approach now considered the gold standard in MS care.

"We want to extend our congratulations to this year's class of Giants of Multiple Sclerosis inductees for this incredible honor," stated Mike Hennessy Jr., Chairman and CEO of MJH Life Sciences®, parent company of NeurologyLive. "This group is an excellent representation of a life-long commitment to a mission that we hold dear: improving patient care in multiple sclerosis. Each of these individuals has left a positive mark on the patient and professional community.”

The Architects of Modern MS Care

This year’s ceremony will posthumously induct the late June Halper, MSN, APN-C, FAAN, MSCN, into the Nursing category, a poignant recognition of the CMSC founder whose vision shapes the very structure of the awards. It is Halper's pioneering "MS team model" that the diverse categories aim to celebrate. Fittingly, the program’s highest honor, the June Halper Visionary Award, will be presented to Patricia K. Coyle, M.D., FAAN, FANA, of Stony Brook Medicine, for a career defined by transformative contributions to the field.

The 2026 inductees represent the pinnacle of their respective disciplines:

• Neurology: Mary Rensel, M.D., from the renowned Cleveland Clinic, is recognized for her leadership in the core discipline of MS diagnosis and management.
• Research: Robert Motl, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois Chicago, is honored for his work pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding of the disease.
• Advanced Practice Provider: Constance Easterling, MSN, RN, ARNP, MSCN, from the MS Care Center at Neurological Services of Orlando, is celebrated for her vital role in delivering specialized, hands-on patient care.
• Mental Health: Deborah Miller, Ph.D., of the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, receives recognition for her essential work addressing the profound psychological and cognitive challenges faced by patients.
• Nursing: Shirley MacGowan, RN, MScN, from the University of Saskatchewan, joins the ranks for her dedication to patient education, support, and symptom management.
• Pharmacy: Jenelle Montgomery, Pharm.D., BCACP, CPP, of Duke Neurology Clinic, is honored for her critical role in medication management and patient safety in an era of increasingly complex therapies.
• Rehabilitation: Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS, from the John A. Schafer MD Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center, is recognized for his work helping patients maintain function, mobility, and quality of life.

The selection of these individuals follows a rigorous peer-review process, where a 30-member committee of MS professionals votes on finalists chosen by an expert advisory board, lending significant weight and credibility to the honor.

A Mandate for Multidisciplinary Teamwork

The diverse expertise of the 2026 honorees is no accident. It is a direct reflection of the modern understanding that effectively managing multiple sclerosis requires a tightly integrated, multidisciplinary team. MS is a complex and unpredictable disease, with symptoms that can range from debilitating fatigue and mobility issues to cognitive fog and severe depression. No single specialist can address this vast array of challenges alone.

"The MS team model created by our late founder, June Halper... fits the needs of all those affected by MS," stated Kathleen Costello, CRNP, MSCN, interim CEO of CMSC. "Each team member has special contributions in the fight against MS."

This philosophy is embodied in the award categories. The inclusion of a mental health professional like Dr. Deborah Miller highlights the growing recognition that the psychological burden of MS is as significant as its physical symptoms. Similarly, honoring a pharmacist like Dr. Jenelle Montgomery underscores the vital role these professionals play in navigating complex disease-modifying therapies, managing side effects, and ensuring patient adherence. Rehabilitation specialists like Brian Hutchinson are crucial for implementing non-pharmacological strategies that preserve independence and improve daily function, a cornerstone of long-term quality of life. This holistic approach, treating the whole person rather than just the disease, is the vision June Halper championed and which the Giants of MS program now elevates.

The Ecosystem of Progress: Partnership and Industry's Role

The Giants of Multiple Sclerosis® program is itself a case study in collaboration. The partnership between NeurologyLive®, a major media and education platform, and CMSC, North America's largest multidisciplinary MS membership organization, creates a powerful engine for disseminating knowledge and celebrating excellence.

This year's ceremony is supported by Novartis, a pharmaceutical giant with a significant stake in the MS landscape. The company’s sponsorship is more than philanthropic; it is a strategic alignment with the core innovators and leaders in the field. Novartis markets Kesimpta (ofatumumab), a leading disease-modifying therapy for relapsing MS, which has gained significant traction due to its efficacy and patient-friendly, at-home administration.

By backing an award that celebrates a multidisciplinary approach, industry players like Novartis acknowledge that the success of their therapies is intrinsically linked to the quality of the entire care network. A powerful drug is only effective if the patient is diagnosed correctly by a neurologist, educated on its use by a nurse, supported in its administration by a pharmacist, and holistically managed for all symptoms by a full team of rehabilitation and mental health experts. This synergy between pharmaceutical innovation and comprehensive clinical care is essential for driving meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.

A Landmark Gathering in a Dynamic Field

The awards ceremony is a highlight of the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting, an event made more significant as it marks the organization's 40th anniversary. The meeting's agenda provides a snapshot of a field in constant, rapid evolution.

Sessions are dedicated to emerging science and cutting-edge treatments, including deep dives into novel therapies like Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which represent a new frontier in MS treatment. The pre-conference rehabilitation program reflects the growing sophistication of supportive care, with topics ranging from spinal cord stimulation for functional recovery to the integration of wearable technology into clinical practice.

This focus on innovation, from next-generation biologics to high-tech wellness tools, demonstrates that the fight against MS is being waged on multiple fronts. The Giants of Multiple Sclerosis® awards serve to honor the individuals leading that charge, celebrating the past achievements and present dedication that continue to shape a more hopeful future for everyone affected by the disease.