PHPN Members Walk to Benefit PH Patients

PHA President Rino Aldrighetti (right) and Symposium
Planning Committee Chair, Fran Rogers, MSN, CRNP

PHA hosted its first PHPN Networking Fun Walk on Friday, Sept. 18, as part of the 2015 PHPN Symposium. The walk drew more than 200 registrants and raised money for patient scholarships for PHA’s 2016 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions.


In an effort to bring a new spin to this year’s Symposium, the Symposium Committee planned a walk to promote pulmonary hypertension awareness, raise funds and involve the healthcare professionals who care for so many PH patients each year. The PHPN Fun Walk brought together nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, social workers, physicians and other non-physician clinicians, as well as many of PHA’s corporate partners and staff.

Fran Rodgers, MSN, CRNP, PHPN Symposium Committee Chair, spoke to the importance of helping PH patients. She explained, “We come to Symposium every other year to learn what’s on the cutting edge of PH so we can better care for our patients. Through the money we raise at our very first fun walk, we hope to provide Conference scholarships for our patients so they, too, can learn what’s on the cutting edge of PH, allowing them to better care for themselves.” She added, “We truly hope this is the start of something big!”

PHA is dedicated to providing valuable education and resources to the PH community. One of the best resources to PH patients has been the International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions, which has given patients access to information and medical resources. With the Symposium’s support towards patient scholarships, PH education for our community grows.

The Conference Scholarship program is a fund specifically created to assist in minimizing expenses for patients and caregivers in need of financial aid. Those who cannot afford to attend miss experiencing great peer-to-peer networking, support and education. Without a scholarship, some patients are unable to attend. PHA is dedicated to helping to bring PH patients together for a chance to learn, network and be empowered by others within the PH community.

For more information about the 2016 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions, please visit www.PHAssociation.org/Conference. For more photos from the walk, search for #PHPN2015 on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

There is still time to contribute to the 2015 PHPN Fun Walk!

PHPN Takes the PH Cause to Congress on Advocacy Day

On Thursday, Sept. 17, 90 healthcare professionals representing 27 states visited Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of PH patients and request support for the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act, as part of the 2015 PHPN Symposium. First, the group had the opportunity to meet the sponsors of the bill, Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX] and Rep. Lois Capps [D-CA].

PH Professional Network members met in small groups with Members of Congress to share stories about PH patients’ experiences and to ask for co-sponsorship of our bill. The PH bill calls for the creation of a committee within the federal government focused on giving people living with PH longer, better lives.

One attendee put it simply. “For me, the best part of the event was learning more and advocating on behalf of patients.”

By the end of the day, nearly 100 congressional offices knew more about pulmonary hypertension. And, in the days following the visits, four representatives, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler [R-WA], Rep. Mike Coffman [R-CO], Rep. Tim Ryan [D-OH] and Rep. Chris Stewart [R-UT] signed on as cosponsors.

All members of the PH community -- doctors, healthcare professionals, patients, family and friends -- can help advance the PH bill. Get started on PHA’s Advocacy Action Center or contact Angelia DiGuiseppe, PHA’s Grassroots Campaigns Associate, at 301-565-3004 x753 or AngeliaD@PHAssociation.org.

PH Healthcare Professionals Head to Capitol Hill

Support PH nurses, doctors and specialists! This Thursday, as part of the 2015 PHPN Symposium, more than 200 PH-treating healthcare professionals are heading to Capitol Hill in D.C. to urge Congress to support the PH Research and Diagnosis Act. Stand in solidarity with the people who have helped so many patients and family members in the PH community, by reaching out to your Members of Congress. Learn more and call today!