The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) hosted a PHA on the Road: PH Patients and Families Education Forum Saturday, Sept. 29, in Long Beach, Calif. The forum brought together people with pulmonary hypertension (PH), their caregivers, families and friends, and PH-treating health care professionals for a day of learning and networking. The forum’s opening session covered the basics of PH and the journey through diagnosis and treatment and the closing session speaker discussed current research and the questions scientists seek to answer.

Following the opening session, the morning provided interactive breakout sessions covering an assortment of PH topics, followed by a lightning round Q&A at the networking luncheon, where PH experts answered lingering questions from the morning in a rapid-fire approach. The lightning round was so popular and so many participants were engaged in asking questions that an impromptu second lightning round was held at the end of the day’s programming.

For some, the highlight of the day was hearing from Chris Morres, Orange County, Calif., PHA support group leader and adult with PH, who presented the keynote address – her story of being diagnosed and living with PH. Chris’s story resonated with many in the room and was met with a standing ovation. Another special aspect of the day was the opportunity to join a support group session, which was many participants’ first support group experience. Several of the first-time support group attendees reported this opportunity to be their favorite session of the day.

Attendee Summer Gibson shared this feedback after the event, “This was my first PHA on the Road! So glad I came; I love to network with other patients so I am reminded I am not alone in this walk. All of the clinicians are so knowledgeable and show their passion for the PH community.”

PHA will offer a second PHA on the Road in Milwaukee, Saturday, Oct. 27. More information is available on the PHA website.

Participants in the “Continuing your Journey” support group session pose at PHA on the Road – Long Beach.

Victor Tapson, M.D., FCCP, FRCP, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, presented the closing session, Spotlight on PH Research, at PHA on the Road – Long Beach.