Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture

ACTRIMS is proud to present an annual lecture named in honor of the late Dr. Kenneth P. Johnson who spearheaded the foundation of ACTRIMS. The lecture provides an opportunity to hear from a prestigious clinician or researcher selected for their knowledge, accomplishments, and contributions related to multiple sclerosis. To learn more about Kenneth P. Johnson and past lecturers, click here. 

2024 Lecturer: Anne H. Cross, MD, Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Anne H. Cross is a professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, where she holds the Manny & Rosalyn Rosenthal – Dr. John L. Trotter MS Center Chair in Neuroimmunology and is Head of the Neuroimmunology/Multiple Sclerosis Section. Dr. Cross grew up in Mobile, Alabama. She graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, completed neurology residency at George Washington University, and spent several years as a post-doctoral fellow in neuroimmunology at the National Institute of Health and later at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Cross received the Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar career development award of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1990. 

Dr. Cross joined the Washington University Department of Neurology in 1991 where she has remained, working as a specialist and researcher focused on MS. In 2001, Dr. Cross began the first Phase 2 study of B cell depletion in MS patients as an “add-on” study in MS patients who were failing beta-interferons or glatiramer acetate (the only MS disease-modifying therapies at the time). This study, funded by the National MS Society, found that adding rituximab resulted in an 88% reduction in MRI activity. 

Her honors include the President’s Achievement Award of Barnes-Jewish Hospital (2010), Faculty Achievement Award of Washington University (2014), the National MS Society Scientific Researcher Award (2019), and winning the 2019 John Jay Dystel Prize for MS research of the American Academy of Neurology and NMSS. She has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America” since 2007. Dr. Cross enjoys mentoring and is proud of her more than 30 prior trainees who are almost all continuing to work in MS care or research.