TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Wayne Eskridge

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Wayne Eskridge, CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation, has a remarkable journey that spans decades of innovation, dedication, and a deep emotional commitment to changing lives.

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In the late 1960s, Wayne commenced his career as an engineer, making waves by leading the development of one of the pioneering remote structural design programs nationwide. His innovation, utilizing optical card readers, caught the attention of IBM, earning a prestigious publication in one of their magazines. This early achievement laid the foundation for a career filled with groundbreaking endeavors. The 1980s saw Wayne as an innovator with the Hewlett Packard printer division, where he served as the service engineering manager during the launch of the revolutionary LaserJet. With global responsibility for thousands of engineers, he navigated the challenges and successes of that multibillion-dollar product. In the following decade, Wayne embarked on a new venture as the owner of a mapping company, which was selected as one of three firms entrusted with deploying the first domestic versions of the Tomahawk missile digital mapping systems. These endeavors showcased Wayne's versatility and ability to excel in diverse fields.

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However, it was in the 21st century that Wayne's life took a deeply personal and emotional turn. In 2010, at the age of 68, he underwent gallbladder surgery, during which a photo of his liver suggested alarming damage. His gastroenterologist initially assured him that his liver was fine, a statement that would later prove tragically incorrect. In 2015, Wayne was diagnosed with cirrhosis, caused by a condition known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This diagnosis shattered any illusion of his liver being fine and thrust him into a world of frustration and disbelief. What followed was a transformation that would impact countless lives. Wayne learned that the medical community’s standard of care routinely ignored fatty liver until it reached a life-threatening stage. This revelation ignited a fire within him, a deep anger at this policy, and a determination to change it.

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In 2017, at the age of 75, Wayne took a remarkable step. He founded the Fatty Liver Foundation, situated in Boise, Idaho, as a powerful protest against the prevailing medical approach. He became the poster boy for managing this disease, given his own battle with cirrhosis, and he devoted himself to translating complex medical jargon into patient-friendly information. Wayne emerged as a passionate advocate for the patient community, testifying before various agencies, interest groups, and professional societies.

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The Fatty Liver Foundation tirelessly supports people suffering from NAFLD/NASH, particularly in its most perilous form, which leads to cirrhosis. Wayne's commitment has been instrumental in raising awareness and revising the narrative. His relentless pursuit of change has not only saved lives, but has set in motion a transformation that has resulted in a new standard of care; one that focuses on early detection of liver disease.

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Wayne Eskridge
CEO
Fatty Liver Foundation
Website: www.fattyliverfoundation.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-eskridge-fatty-liver
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayne.eskridge1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiverSaver