Guest: Michele Freeman, licensed professional counselor and PHA support group leader

In this excerpt from PH Insights episode, “Relax and Recharge: Practical Strategies for Managing Stress,” Freeman leads listeners through a guided mindfulness exercise to assist with reducing stress during difficult circumstances.

Guest: Michele Freeman, licensed professional counselor and PHA support group leader.

In this episode, Freeman provides an overview of the impact of stress and trauma to a person’s body while living with a chronic illness. She then leads listeners through a mindful meditation exercise designed to help manage stress. Additionally, she shares information about the importance of supportive care and why those in the PH community should consider joining a support group.

For more information on in-person and virtual support groups discussed in this episode, please visit https://phassociation.org/support/

Nadine Al-Naamani, assistant professor of medicine with the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care at University of Pennsylvania and past recipient of the PHA/ATS Research Fellowship and the Aldrighetti Research Award for Young Investigators; incoming Steering Committee Chair of the PHA Registry

Matthew R. Lammi, associate professor of medicine of Johns Hopkins University and current Research Committee Chair and PHA Board Member

In this episode, Matthew R. Lammi, associate professor of medicine of Johns Hopkins University, current Research Committee Chair and Nadine Al-Naamani, assistant professor of medicine at University of Pennsylvania and past recipient of the PHA/ATS Research Fellowship and the Aldrighetti Research Award for Young Investigators continue the conversation on how research impacts the pulmonary hypertension community. Al-Naamani shares the progression of her career after receiving PHA award and the greater impact of her research on understanding the relationship between body muscle and fat and the underlying disease process in PH.

For more information visit, https://phassociation.org/research/

Guests:

Todd Bull, recipient of 2006 PHA/ATS Research Fellowship Award and incoming Scientific Leadership Council Chair, past Chair of the SLC Research Committee and Rachel Hopper, Associate Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford recipient of Robyn Barst Pediatric PH Research and Mentoring Award

In this episode, Todd Bull, professor of medicine and director of University of Colorado Health, Pulmonary Vascular Disease Clinic and Rachel Hopper, associate director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford discuss the significance of research in the field of pulmonary hypertension, with a focus on pediatric studies. They explore the impact of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's research grant awards on advancing careers and improving patient care. Hopper shares her journey in pediatric cardiology after receiving the Robyn Barst Pediatric PH Research and Mentoring Award – a one-year mentorship opportunity for clinicians and researchers in the field of pediatric PH. She also shares the challenges faced in studying pulmonary hypertension in children, and the importance of continued support for research initiatives.

Guest: Paul Critser, MD, PhD; Pediatric Cardiologist, Heart Institute Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

In this episode, Critser provides an overview of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension and how it may differ from adults living with PH. Critser shares the unique challenges a child living with PH may face from diagnosis to long-term management. He shares his insights on the signs a parent should look for, the latest treatment advancements, research, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care. Tune in to this episode to learn the essential information families should know about pediatric PH.

In this episode of the PH Insights podcast, Angela Michelle and Mark Porter share their personal journeys with CTEPH and the pivotal decision to undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery. They offer candid insights into their diagnoses, the challenges they faced and the life-changing impact of PTE surgery. Listeners will learn about the emotional and physical toll of CTEPH, the decision-making process behind pursuing surgery and life after the procedure.

Guests: Jordan Whitson, MD, transplant pulmonologist, Duke Pulmonary and Specialty Services Clinic and Diane Ramirez, PHA Board of Trustees member and heart and lung transplant recipient

Transplantation may be a treatment option reserved for patients who are not improving on medical therapies. While transplantation can prolong survival, improve quality of life and offer a potential cure for pulmonary hypertension, it also carries risk of significant complications, and many factors need to be considered before going forward. In this episode of PH Insights, Whitson discusses what a transplant recipient can expect before and after surgery. Heart and lung transplant recipient, Diane Ramirez joins him to share her experience with the transplant process and how she’s feeling a year post transplantation.

PHA’s Advocacy and Treatment Access program manager, Jaeger Spratt, guest-hosts this episode for Open Enrollment Season. They invited Kim Everett, a pulmonary arterial hypertension and lupus patient, to talk about her experiences with insurance over the years and share how current Medicare changes have improved her prescription experience. Guest Amy Niles, chief mission officer at the PAN Foundation, tells listeners everything you need to know about Medicare reforms for 2025. Jaeger and Amy also highlight resources like PHA’s Insurance Guide, webinars about Medicare on PHA Classroom, and other places to find additional resources like Medicare.gov (1-800-633-4227, TTY users: 1-877-486-2048), local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (the SHIP program) for receive free, personalized health insurance counseling, and Patient Advocate Foundation’s case management services (800-532-5274)