Dina Matos joined CARES Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of individuals affected by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) worldwide, as Executive Director in 2009. CAH is a group of inherited disorders that affects the adrenal glands. In its severest form, it is a life-threatening disorder.

During her tenure, CARES completed its first strategic planning initiative, updated its website and logo, and published guidelines for the development of centers of excellence for CAH, subsequently designating nine centers of excellence across the United States. She hired CARES’ first Medical Director and launched the Ask the Expert Service, offering personalized answers to community questions in both English and Spanish. She created the Patient Advisory Summit, and initiated Family Fun Day Programs at CARES-designated Centers of Excellence to bring families together and strengthen connections between patients and their care teams. She also implemented CAH Awareness Walks across the country, bringing communities together to raise awareness and support for those affected by CAH.

Ms. Matos led CARES in hosting the FDA’s Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting for CAH and in publishing the resulting Voice of the Patient Report, ensuring the patient and family experience informs the drug development process. She also secured the designation of June as CAH Awareness Month. In addition, she collaborated on the development of CAHtalog, a CAH registry, and is a contributing author on CAHtalog publications. She participated in the development of the PACE app and co-hosts the CAH Pulse podcast to build awareness of CAH.

Education, research, and awareness remain top priorities for Dina. Under her leadership, CARES has significantly expanded its support network, increased educational opportunities, intensified research initiatives, and increased advocacy for patients’ treatment options.

Ms. Matos is a founding member of CAH International, a global consortium of congenital adrenal hyperplasia organizations and support groups. She is also a member of the Societies for Pediatric Urology CAH/DSD Task Force and the Everyday Advocacy Steering Committee, and has served as a member of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. She has been invited to speak at international conferences on the importance of newborn screening and preserving patients’ and parents’ rights.

Her work in the health care industry spans more than three decades and includes serving as Executive Director of the Columbus Foundation (the philanthropic arm of Columbus Hospital) in Newark, NJ from November 1999 through May 2008. Before joining the Foundation, she held various positions at Columbus Hospital, including Director of Public Relations and Marketing and Director of Patient and Public Relations.

Throughout her career, Ms. Matos has incorporated health and wellness programs into all of her community outreach efforts with the many organizations for which she has worked or volunteered. At Columbus Hospital, she developed the Senior Health Improvement Program (S.H.I.P.), a free health and wellness program for adults 55 and over. The program helped seniors stay healthy and informed about health care issues through screenings and educational programs.

Prior to joining Columbus Hospital, she served in a number of roles at Saint James Hospital, also in Newark, including Coordinator of Community Relations and Manager of Public and Professional Relations. During her tenure at Saint James, she developed a senior membership program, a general services tri-lingual newsletter, a tri-lingual newsletter for expectant mothers, and a patient satisfaction program.

Dina Matos’ interest in health care extends beyond her professional career. She has volunteered with many health care organizations and institutions, often in a leadership capacity, including: trustee of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, trustee of the Ironbound Boys’ and Girls’ Club and Senior Center, member of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s (CINJ) Leadership Council, spokesperson for the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Campaign, trustee of D.A.R.E., and Vice President of the Portuguese American Congress of New Jersey. Ms. Matos has served as spokesperson and volunteer for the following organizations and campaigns: National Poison Prevention Week, Bernard W. Gimble Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Women’s Heart Foundation, and C.J. Foundation for SIDS. Her other interests include children and senior services, education, literacy, and under-privileged populations. Dina’s involvement in these areas includes serving as an advocate and spokesperson for: Verizon’s “New Jersey Reads” program, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street’s “New Beginnings,” Governor’s Book Club, One Book New Jersey, Abbott Preschool Program, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, Special Olympics, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Teach for America.

Ms. Matos has also served as Commissioner of the Planning Board of the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Treasurer of the Portuguese American Scholarship Foundation, member of the Northern New Jersey Maternal/Child Health Consortium’s Planning Committee, and a member of the New Jersey Health Care Public Relations and Marketing Association.

Dina Matos has received numerous awards and recognitions, including City of Hope “Woman of the Year,” Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s “Award of Hope,” Portuguese American Women’s Association’s “Outstanding Public Service,” and the Boy Scouts of America’s “Hispanic Good Scout.”

 Ms. Matos lives in New Jersey with her family.