PHA's 8th International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions

Skill-Building Sessions

Media Matters! | Words for Wellness: Creative Expression as Medical Therapy | Walk, Sing or Swing for a Cure in Your Hometown! l PHA Support Groups, Helpline & More: Finding Other Patients During (and After!) Conference | From Proclamation to Legislation: An Advocacy Skill-Building Workshop

Skill-Building Sessions
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Media Matters!
Meeting Room 335 A

Presenters:
   Nathan Barker, PHA Advocacy & Awareness Associate
   Diane Cowen, Health Section Editor for the Houston Chronicle
   Michael Roth, BMC Communications Group, New York
   Matacha Saul, Stibbs & Co., Texas

The most effective media coverage about PH includes personal stories—your stories. Join a panel of print and broadcast media experts for this workshop. We’ll discuss the challenges of raising awareness through the media and how you can overcome them. Whether you are a patient, caregiver or medical professional, you are newsworthy! Substantial Q & A included.

Words for Wellness: Creative Expression as Medical Therapy
Meeting Room 330

Presenters:
   Christine Dickler, PHA Publications Manager
   Shirley Craig, Past Editor of Pathlight
   Leslie Polss, PH Cartoonist

Participants will learn about some of the medicinal qualities of writing and creative expression which, though documented for centuries, are more recently becoming the focus of new research and therapies. Using this information, participants will gain tips, ideas, resources and prompts to motivate and inform their own creative writing, as well as guidelines and considerations for use when writing for Pathlight, PHA’s quarterly newsletter. This session will also provide a space for writers to share the work they have already created.

Walk, Sing or Swing for a Cure in Your Hometown!
Meeting Room 335 C

Presenters:
   Deirdre Farrell, PHA Special Events Coordinator
   Brittany Evans, East Cobb Concert for a Cure, Tenn.
   Jeannette Morrill, Swinging for a Cure Golf Tournament, Maine
   Cindy Wangerud, PHun Walk for a Cure, Minn.
   Tracy Zanitsch, PHun Walk for a Cure, Minn.

All around the country PH patients, their family, friends and medical professionals are hosting events that fund life-saving research and PHA services while raising PH awareness in their community. Funwalks, concerts and golf tournaments are a just a few examples of the kinds of events volunteers like you have organized with a little help from their friends or a support group. Meet volunteers who have planned events in the past, and learn how PHA can help you host an event of your own to build a community of hope in your home town!

PHA Support Groups, Helpline & More: Finding Other Patients During (and After!) Conference
Meeting Room 335 B

Presenters:
   Debbie Castro, PHA Director of Volunteer Services
   Gail Bucci, Southwest Florida Support Group
   Ellen Harris, Northern Virginia/Fairfax Support Group
   Joanne Sperando-Schmidt, Long Island, N.Y. Support Group

There are over a thousand people here – how do you find other patients and connect with them while learning all you can about the disease? When you go back home, how can you immediately connect with patients for support? This session will give you tips on how you can find other patients who are not only in your area, but also find patients with similar circumstances to your PH situation (e.g., secondary PH, newly diagnosed, working mom, etc.). We’ll explain how to maximize your networking time at Conference, as well as how to find a local support group or start your own group after you return home.

From Proclamation to Legislation: An Advocacy Skill-Building Workshop
Meeting Room 338

Presenters:
   Katie Kroner, PHA Director of Advocacy & Awareness
   Gavin Lindberg, PHA Lobbyist
   Anne Sperando, 435 Campaign Member
   Susan Temple , 435 Campaign Member

In the PH community, powerful change begins with a few strong voices. No matter what your experience level or physical ability, you have what it takes to make a difference through legislative advocacy. Expect to leave this session with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to educate and build relationships with your elected officials.