A Celebration of In-Person Connections and PH Education

More than 1,000 people participated in the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s first major in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. PHA 2022 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions brought together people with pulmonary hypertension, caregivers, health care professionals, corporate partners and PHA staff. The June 9-12, 2022, event featured an option to stream select education sessions for those who couldn’t attend in person.

In Atlanta, attendees celebrated the first opportunity to reconnect in person in four years. The theme, “PHacing the Future Together,” acknowledged the ability to come together amid the challenges of PH.

The conference opened with a welcome video featuring Beth and Tony DeCristofaro, Shavini Fernando, Betsie Miklos and Denise Lewis, RN. The video won a second-place 2023 EXCEL award from the Advertising, Media and Publications Network for best promotional video.

Keynote speaker Marcie McGregor welcomed attendees and shared the story of her initial misdiagnosis, selfadvocacy efforts and her volunteer work. McGregor, a member of PHA’s Support Group Leader Advisory Board, leads PHA’s Augusta, Georgia, support group.

A popular feature of PHA conferences is the Journeys lunch, where pairs of patients and care team members share their stories. Michelle Liu, MD, MPH, FAAOH, and Stephen Walker, MS, CRNP discussed Liu’s daughter Esther’s diagnosis and care journey.

Allison Dsouza, BSN, RN, and Elizabeth Colglazier, MS, NP, recounted Dsouza’s journey from PH diagnosis to registered nurse, including job shadowing under Colglazier. Kimberly Jackson, RN, and Evelyn Mitchell recounted Mitchell’s diagnosis story and how their partnership inspired Jackson to continue treating people with PH.

PATIENT AND CAREGIVER EDUCATION

Throughout the event, medical professionals, patients and caregivers presented education sessions on new therapies, exercise and pulmonary rehab, CTEPH, self-care, intimacy, getting involved in PHA and finding your voice.

MEMBER RECOGNITION

PHA presented Outstanding Member Awards to seven people who go above and beyond to support and advocate for the PH community. The winners:

• Julie Paton Hendry Memorial Scholarship: Betty Lou Wojciechowski.

• Outstanding Physician: Steven Kawut, MD, MS.

• Outstanding Allied Health Professional: Fran Rogers, CRNP.

• Outstanding Young PH Citizen: Jackson Wall.

• Outstanding PH Citizen Award: Chloe Temtchine.

• Outstanding Caregiver: Sadie Ruiz.

• Outstanding PHA Support Group Leader: Betsie Miklos

RESEARCH UPDATE

During the medical update dinner, Todd Bull, MD, and Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS, discussed “Redefining Pulmonary Hypertension through Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics.” The multicenter study, which aims to identify biomarkers to improve PH diagnosis and treatment, is funded by PHA and the National Institutes for Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS

As patients attended breakout sessions related to life with PH, health care professionals attended sessions with a scientific focus. Themed, “Vision for the PHuture: The Evolving Science and Management of PH,” the scientific sessions focused on PH research, as did lightning-round presentations of research topics selected for the Poster Hall. At industry-sponsored sessions, patients and health professionals learned about state-of-the-art technology and other PH advancements.

FASHION SHOW AND CLOSING PARTY

The Saturday Night Party and Fashion Show celebrated how people with PH conceal or highlight their oxygen cannulas, mobility devices and medication pumps. Emceed by PHA board members Doug Taylor and Nicole Creech, participants modeled outfits in four categories: formal wear, PH pride (zebra print and periwinkle), sports and superheroes. After the fashion show, attendees celebrated with dancing, games and photo booths.

CLOSING SESSION

During the June 12 closing brunch, performer and PH advocate Stephen Carter-Hicks treated attendees to two special performances. After performing “You’ll Never Be Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers, Stephen recounted stories from his Broadway career, PH diagnosis and how he copes today. He then performed “Keep Hope Alive,” a song composed for him to sing at PHA 2020 before it was canceled because of the pandemic.

PHA 2022 ended with the passing of the gavel to new PHA Board of Trustees chair Tony Lahnston and a wrap-up video, which won a first place 2023 EXCEL award from the Advertising, Media and Publications Network.