#15 Bullous Pemphigoid with argenx
We have fabulous guests this episode sharing their expertise about a skin condition called Bullous Pemphigoid: patient advocate Dr. Naomi Bishop and argenx’s Associate Director of Global Patient Advocacy Shelley Gerson.
Naomi Bishop, M.D. (she/her) is a physician-medical writer/editor with a rich background in the arts. Following a career in dance and graphic design, she pivoted to medicine, where she channeled her fascination with human physiology and commitment to helping others achieve optimal health. With a young family in tow, Dr. Bishop completed the required preparatory courses and attended medical school, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She completed her post-graduate training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia-Cornell, and has cared for children in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in several top New York hospitals. Her passion for understanding systems failures led her to seek formal training in Quality Improvement and she served as director of PICU Quality and Performance Improvement for six years. In November 2019, Dr. Bishop pivoted to a career in freelance medical writing and editing, disciplines that combine her insatiable appetite for perusing the medical literature with a dedication to improving communication between healthcare providers, their peers, and the public. Dr. Bishop remains deeply committed to patient-centered, empathic, and ethical care.
In November 2021, Dr. Bishop was diagnosed with Bullous Pemphigoid, an event that rocked her world and changed her understanding of what it means to be a patient with a rare, chronic disease. Her search for the latest treatments led her to the IPPF, an organization to which she owes boundless gratitude for supporting her journey through treatment and recovery. As of April 2023, her BP is in remission.
Our second guest is Shelley Gerson. Shelley is the Associate Director of Global Patient Advocacy at argenx. Shelley leads the advocacy efforts for alternative treatments for people living with autoimmune dermatological and hematological diseases. Previously, she worked as a patient advocate at Sanofi and Biogen. Prior to working in the biotech industry, Shelley was a licensed counselor and a private practice therapist. Shelley lives with a severe form of Hemophilia, called Hemophilia A, so she also has a personal perspective of being a patient advocate herself.
During the episode both Dr. Bishop and Shelley recommended the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation and the Facebook group, Bullous Pemphigoid Warriors.
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It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.
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