Welcome New Board Member Stephanie Vogt

The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) would like to warmly welcome new board member Stephanie (Buffa) Vogt, M.S.  She is a Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy with Express Scripts at Cigna.  She also has served as the chair of the St. Louis WALK to end Hydrocephalus since 2008.

Stephanie developed hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis.  She was shunted at six weeks of age and has had three shunt malfunctions.  She has been active with HA most of her life and was awarded the HA Gerard Schwartz Fudge Scholarship in 1999. She attended the Missouri University of Science & Technology where she obtained a B.S. in electrical engineering and an M.S. in engineering management. She was honored with S&T’s Distinguished Young Alumna award in 2019, HA’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2019, and Cigna’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2020.

Stephanie chairs the St. Louis WALK to end Hydrocephalus annually in St. Louis, Missouri, raising more than $600,000 in the last 15 years for the association. Stephanie’s motivation and drive for chairing the HA Walks every year includes her older sister Sarah and all those with hydrocephalus who she has met through the years. She is so thankful to spend time with these amazing families and give back to an organization that has provided great support and research for the hydrocephalus community over the years.

Sarah Buffa, Stephanie’s older sister, was diagnosed at age 4 also due to aqueductal stenosis.  Sarah has had 32 shunt surgeries and at age 14 suffered a brain herniation due to her shunt malfunctioning.  She lost her ability to do all basic functions, such as talking, swallowing, and walking.  Through many years of rehab, Sarah has not only relearned her basic skills but has overcome her disabilities.  She has completed a B.S. and M.S. in social work and spends much of her time volunteering. Stephanie continues to advocate for her sister Sarah and all those with hydrocephalus, extending now to her new board position.

Stephanie and her husband Christopher have three children: Ellie (9), Ryan (7), and Barrett (5).  Her kids are the love of her life, and together they do a lot of laughing, yelling, reading, and playing.

Learn more about Stephanie and her sister Sarah’s journey, told by their mother, in the Through A Mother’s Eyes Video series.

Meet our entire board of directors here.