FPWR Board of Directors

"Antoine De Saint-Exupery said, "A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral." Receiving a diagnosis of PWS is an overwhelming experience, one in which we are told we are powerless to effect change. If we choose to believe this, the game is over. Those of us in FPWR believe that in PWS, much has yet to be learned and much knowledge has yet to be applied. When we claim the power that comes from seeing what could be, instead of accepting what has always been, we take the first steps toward securing the future for our children. I am so very thankful to be a part of a group of like-minded, proactive parents who believe that the future is full of hope. Together, we will work to make life better for our children, and for generations yet to be born."

Rachel was born and raised in Kentucky, the daughter of Paul and Maxine Whitler.  Growing up throughout Kentucky, Rachel learned to appreciate the richness and variety of cultures within her home state.  After graduating from Campbellsville College with a degree in English and Journalism, Rachel went to work for a newspaper in western Kentucky as a reporter and photographer.  Later, Rachel decided to enter the Journeyman program through her church and taught elementary school in Davao City, Philippines for two years. After returning to the US, she completed her studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville where she received her Master’s in Divinity and Religious Education.  Her focus was on Ministry to Children and Families. She then married Pete Tugon, whom she had met while working in the Philippines.  For the next several years, she and Pete served in churches in Louisville and later in Oxnard, California. Rachel became credentialed in teaching English as a Second Language from the University of California at Santa Barbara during this time.  They eventually returned to Kentucky following the birth of their daughter, Kristen.  Back in Kentucky, Rachel taught ESL and became the Director of the ESL program at the Jewish Community Center.  She later became the Assistant Director of the ESL program at the University of Louisville, responsible both for teaching and for supervising students from Kansai Gadai University in Japan.  Rachel also worked as a consultant for the Department of Adult Education and Literacy of Kentucky as a teacher, Teacher/Volunteer Trainer, and Curriculum Developer.  She authored an ESL teaching manual for the state of Kentucky and led workshops in ESL methodology and practice throughout the state. Following the birth of her daughter, Erin, and the subsequent diagnosis of PWS, Rachel focused all of her energy on finding appropriate intervention and treatment for the symptoms of PWS.  Part of that search became the development of Prader-Willi Friends Kentucky, a local family support group, and later the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research.  She was the President of the Board before becoming the first Executive Director, the position she currently holds. Rachel enjoys writing, movies, traveling and music.

"Although my daughter Olivia is beautiful, charming and smart, her chance of living an unrestricted life is uncertain at best. Through the work of the FPWR, we have the power to change her future and free her and others like her of the burden of PWS. It is our obligation and our responsibility." 

Alice Barnes Viroslav was born in Houston, Texas and raised in San Angelo, Texas. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1985 with dual BAs in Psychology and Biology. She received her MD from Southwestern Medical School in 1989. Following medical school, she completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology and a fellowship in Neuroradiology at Emory University School of Medicine. While at Emory, Dr. Viroslav served as Chief Resident in Radiology.  Dr. Viroslav currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Sergio Viroslav, MD, and their three children, Hannah, Olivia and Evan. She is a Neuroradiologist with South Texas Radiology Group. Her daughter Olivia was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome in 2001.

Dr. Viroslav served as President of the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research from 2005-2007 and currently serves as Vice-President. Prior to 2005, she was the Vice-Chair of the Scientific Board of the FPWR.  In addition to her position with the FPWR, Dr. Viroslav is the President and the Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hall Preparatory School. She is on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and serves on the Executive Committee both as Secretary and as the chair of the Community Relations Council. She is a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Communities and currently serves as Co-Vice Chair of the National Ben-Gurion Society. She is also a member of the national board of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Dr. Viroslav is a classically trained soprano and is a Past President of the San Antonio Mastersingers. She received her black belt in Taekwondo in 2004.

Secretary: Carol Craig (Board member since 2003)

"There is nothing I won't do for my family and ensuring that my son has the opportunity to be whatever he wants to be is 'number one' on my list of priorities.  The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research is going to ensure he has that opportunity!"

Carol M Craig is Founder/CEO of Craig Technologies, Inc, a multi-million dollar technical and engineering services corporation headquartered in Cape Canaveral, FL.  As President and CEO, she leads a team of 150 employees nationwide, operating offices in Canton, IL, Jacksonville, FL, and Washington, DC.

Carol is a former U.S. Navy P-3C Orion naval flight officer, specializing in Anti-Surface and Subsurface Warfare. She holds a BA in Computer Science from Knox College, a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  Carol is presently pursuing her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL.

Carol is the Vice Chair of the University of Central Florida, Department of Engineering Advisory Board and a board member for Brevard County Junior Achievement.  Carol is a member of the Society of Women Engineers (recently awarded the "Space Coast Outstanding Women Engineer of the Year"), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Council on Systems Engineering, National Association of Women Business Owners, Florida Minority Services Development Council, National Center for Simulation, Women in Defense, National Training and Simulation Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Space Club, National Veteran-Owned Business Association, Economic Development Commission of the Space Coast, Association of the United States Army, and Navy League.   

Carol is the proud mother to Danny (6), Gillian (5), and wife to CDR John W. Craig, a former F/A-18 pilot, the current Commanding Officer of a Naval Reserve unit in Jacksonville, FL., and a pilot for JetBlue Airways.