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Everett E. Masters, Founder

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Plaque Presented to Everett Masters at the 40th Annual Melba "Bandy" Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Clinic

The Northwest Texas Chapter recognizes our Founder, Everett E. Masters

Everett and Melba Masters received the charter for the first chapter ”west of the Mississippi” from the National Foundation on July 30, 1956

We further acknowledge Everett’s continuing dedication to this chapter through his many years of service including the establishment of the Melba “Bandy” Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Clinic on November 14, 1961

Your leadership has guided the Northwest Texas Chapter in achieving our mission…”To facilitate the timely diagnosis and optimal care of individuals affected by Myasthenia Gravis and to improve their lives through programs of patient services, public information, medical research, professional education, advocacy and patient care.”

Your dedication serves as an inspiration to all who have joined with you as we strive together to achieve a “World Without Myasthenia Gravis”!

The above presentation was reported on page 2 in the Fall 2001 Issue of the National Newsletter, Foundation Focus. The following is a reprint of this featured article.

Everett E. Masters, founding member of the Northwest Texas Chapter, was honored at the Melba “Bandy” Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Clinic on September 8, 2001. After Melba lost her battle with MG on February 16, 1961, Masters established in her memory a free clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of MG that was held for the first time on November 14, 1961.

Everett and Melba Masters received the charter from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. for the first chapter “west of the Mississippi” on July 30, 1956. Masters’ leadership and dedication of over 40 years service to the chapter has served as an inspiration to all of us who have joined with him as we strive together to achieve a “World Without Myasthenia Gravis”!

The Melba “Bandy” Masters Memorial Myasthenia Gravis Clinic is held each fall at the Hi-Plains Hospital in the rural community of Hale Center north of Lubbock, Texas. Over the past 40 years, this clinic has had brought to this little rural town numerous MG specialists beginning in 1961 with Dr. J. Edward Tether, who at that time was considered one of the foremost authorities on MG in the world. The Masters met Dr. Tether when they traveled to the University of Indiana Research Clinic for Myasthenia Gravis to receive the “latest MG treatment available” for Melba. Through the friendship that developed between the Masters, their family physician in Hale Center, Dr. D. R. Foster, and Dr. Tether, the clinic was started and has successfully continued through the years. That first year, Dr. Tether and Dr. Foster examined eight patients suspected to have MG. In 1979, the clinic grew to 83 patients including some who were currently under treatment in Hale Center and others who were recently diagnosed by other area physicians seeking an evaluation by Dr. Tether.

Forty-three patients from Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma were registered for the 2001 clinic held in September. Thirty-two of the 43 were attending the clinic for the first time. Approximately ½ of these first-time patients were recently diagnosed or have had MG for a few years but just became aware of the clinic through the recent promotion by area newspapers and came for confirmation and evaluation. The remaining half was experiencing the symptoms of MG that were listed in the newspapers. MG specialists, Dr. Richard J. Barohn of the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Dr. Sharon Nations of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, diagnosed two of these patients with MG and will be following up with more tests on several of the other patients. They were also able to rule out MG for some patients. Even those who didn’t receive a diagnosis of MG expressed how fortunate they were to have had the opportunity to be evaluated by these specialists. They left the clinic very aware and informed about MG, which is also an important aspect of the annual clinic.

Other MG specialist that have helped conduct this annual clinic include Dr. Bernard M. Patten of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas and Dr. Gil Wolfe of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Dr Hugh H. Wilson, Jr. whose family practice brought him to Hale Center when Dr. Foster retired in 1973 has been a vital part of these clinics for the past 28 years. Dr. Wilson has served as medical advisor for the Northwest Texas Chapter during this time.

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Everett Masters Honored - Founder's Award

Reprint from the Chapter Newsletter, Spring 1989

by Jenne McVicker, Editor

The prestigious Founder's Award was given to Everett E. Masters, Hale Center, Texas, in recognition of his outstanding and unusual achievement in the conquest of myasthenia gravis, because he displays the same characteristics of initiative, courage and fortitude as the MG Foundation founder, Jane Ellsworth.

Mr. Masters was nominated by his chapter, The Northwest Texas Chapter, because he demonstrated such initiative and persistence in dealing with the activities and accomplishments while organizing the Northwest Texas Chapter in 1956, and remains one of its most loyal supporters. This award was made during the Awards Banquets at the National Annual MG Meeting, April 8, 1989, held in the doubletree Inn, Atlanta, Georgia.

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