Thank you, Marisa Herson!
In 2021, Marisa Herson passed the office of General Secretary to Martin Börgel. With her commitment since 2014, she achieved numerous successes for the World Union of Tissue Banking Associations. With this virtual greeting, colleagues from the world of tissue banking would like to say THANK YOU!
“Marisa Herson.
A Champion of the cause and defender of human tissue banking with good practice, honest intentions and the highest of ethical standards.
You have always been a great support to me and to the Biotherapeutics Association of Australasia (BAA).
My ‘Jiminy Cricket’ with wise words, expert insight and always good conscience. “Always let your conscience be your guide.” (J. Cricket, 1940)
Warm Hugs!”
– Gavin Van Der Meer
“Marisa worked tirelessly to increase tissue donations at the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV), and wider both in Australia and internationally.
She is a great supporter of the not-for-profit tissue sector and seems to have endless energy to champion the cause.
One of the highlights in my time working with Marisa was organising the 2014 World Congress here in Melbourne, on behalf of the Biotherapeutics Association of Australasia (BAA). Marisa somehow managed to secure Government House in Melbourne for the welcome event, and have the Governor present to welcome the delegates. This was an incredible achievement, particularly for someone who was not originally from here.”
– Kellie Hamilton
“Dr. Marisa R Herson is a tireless professional and entrepreneur. With ethical and altruistic principles, she has promoted the creation of tissue banks in Latin America and co-founder of the Latin American Association of Tissue Banks (ALABAT) in October, 2000.
Personally, I fondly cherish the EATB Meeting in Brusels, where I met her for the first time. I appreciate all the support, advice and enthusiasm provided during my tenure as secretary and president of ALABAT. My highest appreciation for your management as general secretary of WUTBA”
– Francisco Martínez-Flores, President of the Latin American Association of Tissue Banks
“I always appreciated to work with Marisa, as she gave (and still gives) enduring support to the tissue banking community worldwide through her expertise, network, open mindedness and warmth.
Thanks!
- Simone Hennerbichler-
“Our dear friend Marisa as we always remember her as an energetic person, very thoughtful and full of encouraging words and good advisor. She was always helpful whenever we need her….
A few APASTB members first met her in Brazil in 2000 when she organised the Latin American Association of Tissue Banks (ALABAT) Conference (Photo 1).
They were amazed with her courage and dedication in running a tissue bank and making the ALABAT active despite her busy schedule as a surgeon.
Dr Norimah (from Malaysian Nuclear Agency) and I (from Universiti Sains Malaysia Tissue Bank) visited her in Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia in 2008. She rendered very useful assistance to us during our scientific visit.
Always willing to assist, she agreed to be our invited speaker at the 17th APASTB International Conference in Malaysia in 2018 and represented WUTBA during the active panel discussion on Ethical Issues.
WUTBA with her flagship had a tremendous progress and she has laid a strong foundation for the Union to move on to unite us the tissue bankers from various regions”
– Suzina Sheikh Ab Hamid, APASTB President (2021-2023)
“I’ve attached a couple of photos of Marisa along her tissue banking journey.
Marisa also played “cupid”. In 2005, she introduced me to her friend Ivana and, in 2010, Ivana and I were married.”
– Scott A. Brubaker, Director Division of Human Tissues (DHT) at FDA/CBER/OTAT
