Home and Family:

John Quinlan, 56, lives in Lakeside Park, Ky., with his wife, Laura Ann Sams. Affected by muscular dystrophy himself, Dr. Quinlan is director of the MDA Clinic at the University of Cincinnati.

Professional and Community Achievements:

In 1975, Quinlan completed a bachelor’s degree in science at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. He followed that with a master’s in physiology (1976) at the University of Chicago and a doctorate in medicine (1980) at the University of Illinois.

After an internship in medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and a residency in neurology and clinical research fellowships in electromyography (measuring the electrical signals of muscles) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Quinlan was appointed to the neurology faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1987. There, he established himself as a clinician, teacher, mentor, administrator, counselor and scientific investigator. Those achievements were recognized in 2005 when his colleagues conferred upon him the academic rank of professor of neurology.

Quinlan became co-director of the MDA Clinic at the University of Cincinnati in July 1987 and director in 2000. There, he attends to people with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Committed to improving his community, Quinlan has participated in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and was instrumental in the modification and design of new accessible administrative offices, teaching facilities and sites for patient care and clinical practice at the University of Cincinnati.

Personal History:

Born April 14, 1953, Quinlan learned as a teenager he has facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). He uses a power scooter and specially adapted van to maintain mobility and independence.

MDA Leadership:

Quinlan dedicates time to MDA, appearing on his local Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, making himself available as a resource for MDA support groups and serving on the local MDA Task Force on Public Awareness. He is an active member of the National MDA Clinical Services Advisory Committee and an MDA national vice president.

As recipient of MDA’s 2010 Robert Ross National Personal Achievement Award, Quinlan continues his tradition of service to MDA, representing the Association at various events.

His selection for the award was announced on the 2009 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

Words to Live by:

Quinlan says he strives to always “keep the long-range goal in sight” and focus on what’s important.

“We are all different, and we all face different problems,” he says. But, “life has an amazing number of possibilities. Even when a disease eliminates 50 percent of the choices, there are still wonderful opportunities out there.”

To those who have just discovered they have a neuromuscular disease, Quinlan offers advice on achieving life satisfaction.

“Find a career that you love, that relies on your mind and fits with your personality. A tremendous number of careers require that you use your mind and your communication abilities. Live life fully: Help others and have fun.”