Mission Statement and History

PRISMS, an acronym for Parents and Researchers Interested In Smith-Magenis Syndrome, is dedicated to providing information and support to families of persons with Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) and fostering partnerships with professionals to increase awareness and understanding of SMS.

Organized and incorporated in the state of Virginia on February 4, 1993, PRISMS, Inc. is governed by a 8 member Board of Directors. Most board members have children with Smith-Magenis syndrome. Board members serve three-year terms and may service additional consecutive terms. Several members of the Board of Directors also serve as corporate officers. These individuals are responsible for directing the organization's operations and serving the members. In addition, PRISMS works closely with a multidisciplinary Professional Advisory Board that provides medical guidance and reviews research proposals. Ann C.M. Smith, the co-discoverer of Smith-Magenis syndrome, serves on the PRISMS Board of Directors and is also the head of the Professional Advisory Board.

On May 4, 2000, the IRS declared PRISMS a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Our Federal Tax Identification Number is 54-1652029. We file an IRS form 990 every year. This form is available for public inspection at GuideStar.org or upon request.