Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) Board of Trustees member Nicole Creech participated last month in the Patient Symposium at Washington University in St. Louis, an accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center (PHCC). Nicole, who has pulmonary hypertension (PH) and sickle cell disease, highlighted resources PHA has to offer the PH community, and encouraged newly diagnosed patients and caregivers to join PHA. She was joined by local support group leader and fellow PHer, Denise Beach.
Nicole also joined an expert panel for “Basics of PH and Finances: Insurance, Foundations, Disability & Estate Planning.” In all, the symposium featured 16 breakout sessions that addressed topics associated with PH such as “Transitioning Between PH Therapies” and “Rehab and Exercise Training.”
Explaining her reasons for participating in the symposium as a panelist and exhibitor for PHA, Nicole says, “Speaking with patients and medical professionals is always rewarding. It gives me the opportunity to see and hear how PHA with the help of PH specialists and their staff is meeting the needs of the PH community.”
Another highlight of the symposium was a lunch hosted by Murali Chakinala, M.D., director of the PH program and himself a PHA Board of Trustees member. At the lunch, Dr. Chakinala dedicated the symposium to the late Maribeth Duncan, M.S.N., ANP-BC, a beloved stalwart of the PH community in St. Louis who died unexpectedly earlier this year. This dedication captured the air of intimacy and community at the event.
To learn more about PH events in your community, check out PHA’s online calendars of events: PHAssociation.org/events.
