Stephanie Nolley and her colleagues were thrilled and honored that PHA chose Seattle for its first PHPN Symposium outside of Washington, D.C. “I can’t say enough about how beautifully PHA staff organized and managed this event,” said Nolley, a nurse coordinator at the University of Washington Medical Center and a member of the PHPN Symposium Committee. “I would call it a success.”
More than 650 health care professionals attended the Sept. 18-20 event, a record number of attendees. The theme was “Igniting the PHight: Looking to the Future.”
Attendees kicked off the three-day event by participating in the PHPN Day of Action, which featured advocacy training by Jaeger Spratt, PHA’s advocacy and treatment access program manager. Spratt outlined the legislative process, PHA’s priority bills and advocacy opportunities. After the training, Spratt encouraged participants to ask their elected officials to support the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act.
“While one phone call might not change everything, collective pressure really does make a difference,” Spratt said.
After completing their phone calls, advocates placed stickers on a large map to represent their hometowns. The Day of Action also featured a community engagement project, where participants created 101 pet toys for animal shelters.
Day Two featured the panel discussion, “Foundations of a Successful Care Team: Part II.” Professionals from five PH-accredited PH Care Centers discussed how they manage their multidisciplinary care teams.
“Not everything is going to be black and white — it’s going to be gray,” speaker Neelam Bhatt said. Bhatt is a lung transplant and pulmonary hypertension clinical pharmacy specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital. “Having a team with a ‘figure it out’ mindset is why I love this job so much.”
In the evening, attendees put their pop culture and PH knowledge to the test at Trivia Night. The event raised more than $1,000 in donations and $2,400 in ticket sales. Proceeds will help fund patient and caregiver scholarships at PHA 2026 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions. PHA 2026 is set for June 11-14 in Dallas.
The final day began with the breakout session, “Exploring the Role of Race and Ethnicity in Methamphetamine Use Patterns in PAH.” Presenter Raquel Lyn, clinical assistant professor in Stanford University’s pulmonary allergy and critical care division, reviewed the connection between substance abuse and pulmonary arterial hypertension. She also discussed the rise of meth-associated PAH in underrepresented communities.
The highest methamphetamine use in the past year was seen in American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic and white people, Lyn said. Meth use also was prevalent in lower socioeconomic groups, including:
- People with a high school education or less
- Households with incomes below $20,000
- Uninsured or under insured people
“The symposium fostered meaningful collaboration, highlighted innovative approaches to PH care and provided a valuable opportunity to connect and network with both longtime colleagues and new partners in the field,” said Emma Jackson, member of the PHPN Symposium Committee and pediatric nurse practitioner at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
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