Ask The Expert - A BloodStream Media Podcast

Our guest for this month is Believe Limited CEO and Bloodstream host, Patrick James Lynch. Ask the Expert is headed in a new direction and Patrick joins us to share what the future will hold for the Bloodstream Media network. Even though this will be the final episode of Ask the Expert, we are excited to announce the new path for our expert interviews, because they’re not going away! Listen in with Patrick and Amy as they share the new and exciting things coming from Bloodstream...

Join us for our “Get to Know the Expert” episode of Ask the Expert! Having the opportunity to know our national leaders in a personal way is an honor and a treat for any community. Join us on today’s episode to get to know CEO the National Hemophilia Foundation, Dr. Len Valentino! We’ll learn how Dr. Valentino got his start, what lessons he learned from treating patients, his interests in the global disparity of care, and his thoughts of the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance! Join...

The National Hemophilia Foundation announced new leadership in Dr. Len Valentino weeks before the COVID-19 outbreak and his unique position to guide our community during this unprecedented time has been welcome. Dr. Valentino joins us on Ask the Expert this month to share a bit of his story and his thoughts on the pandemic could affect the bleeding disorder community. Dr. Valentino shares how NHF is addressing the current COVID pandemic, NHF’s national research agenda, and how COVID could...

Join us for our “Get to Know the Expert” episode of Ask the Expert! Having the opportunity to know our national leaders in a personal way is an honor and a treat for any community. Join us on today’s episode to get to know CEO of Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA), Sharon Meyers, as she begins her tenure at the organization. Sharon shares how she became involved in non-profit work, her passion and philosophy on fundraising, and how she became involved within the bleeding disorder...

During this period of unprecedented turmoil and uncertainty, the bleeding disorder community has found comfort in the Hemophilia Federation of America’s (HFA) messaging and voice. Newly-minted CEO of HFA, Sharon Meyers, joins us to share the behind the scenes work HFA has done to prepare statements, resources, and education during the COVID pandemic. She shares how HFA has set up a COVID-19 Relief Fund, as well as utilizing their foundational Helping Hands financial assistance program to...

Join us for our “Get to Know the Expert” episode featuring Brian Ragaishis! Brian is a teenager with vWD who created the website Live Smart, Play Smart, a community where other teens affected by bleeding disorders can share their story. In today’s episode, we hear about what it was like for Brian when he was diagnosed with vWD and how he felt isolated from his friends. How did he manage and why did he think it was important for other teens to share their story? Check out this great episode...

So much of our community programming and education is focused around teenagers and yet oftentimes our teenagers seem like mysteries to us. What is it like being a teen with a bleeding disorder and what would make their lives easier? To celebrate Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month we asked teen, Brian Ragaishis, to join us on Ask the Expert to share why he created Live Smart, Play Smart, a website that creates community for other teens affected by bleeding disorders by telling their story....

In our first month of Ask the Expert’s new format we welcome you to our extended conversation with Dr. Jonathan Roberts, a hematologist with the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute. In this bonus episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Roberts where we learn how growing up with hemophilia led him to a passion for science and later on, medical school. We’ll hear his thoughts on what it has been like to be a physician and a patient during this paradigm shift in treatment for...

Growing up with hemophilia shaped how Dr. Jonathan Roberts encourages his patients every day. As the Associate Medical Director of the Bleeding and Clotting Disorder Institute, Dr. Roberts as had the opportunity to give back to the community he is personally connected to. Join us for a unique Ask the Expert with Dr. Roberts as he shares his thoughts on future treatments for hemophilia, his research on creating a better assay for von Willebrands diagnosis, and his passion for encouraging...

As we begin the new year many of us are encouraged to follow through on goals we have set for ourselves, but the stress involved with sticking to it and following through can affect our mental and emotional well-being. Debbie de la Riva from Mental Health Matters Too stops by to share some things to keep in mind about creating actual habit and behavior change as we work towards our goals. As a community leader encouraging awareness and education around mental health, Debbie will also share...

von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder affecting 1% of our population and yet, it is the most unknown. Research for von Willebrand disease (vWD) continues to be elusive for patients and physicians alike causing frustration and emotional toil for those affected. On this episode of Ask the Expert, we welcome vWD hematologist and researcher, Dr. Christopher Ng M.D., from the University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center to share the latest from the medical...

As we enter into a new phase of hemophilia treatments and products, the questions continue to grow and become more complicated by the day. Check out the latest episode of Ask the Expert, where we welcome Dr. Michael Wang, M.D. from the University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis center to discuss the current status of revolutionary potential treatments like gene therapy and non-factor replacements. Dr. Wang answers listeners own questions about the clinical trial process, research...

Imagine doing your due diligence for an upcoming medical procedure by double checking your facility and providers are in-network with your insurance plan, only to later find out that a provider treating you (e.g., an anesthesiologist or radiologist) does not participate in your health plan’s network after you receive a huge out-of-network bill out of nowhere. This is one example of a healthcare issue known as “surprise billing” and it could cost you and your family thousands of dollars. Ask...

As a member of the rare disease community, bleeding disorder patients and their families are used to taking surveys, signing up for clinical trials, and/or sharing our thoughts about what it is like living with a bleeding disorder. So what makes this new initiative from the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) different? Join us for a conversation with NHF Head of Research, Michelle Witkop and Research Nurse Specialist, Maria Santaella as they share the details of MyBDC, a community-powered...

Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan’s Camp Bold Eagle is turning 50 this year! Camp Bold Eagle is the longest running summer camp for kids and teens with bleeding disorders in the United States and to celebrate this incredible accomplishment and to relish in the joy of summer camp, Ask the Expert invited staff of the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan to join us as they reminisce about the history of camp, the amazing leadership that is developed at camp and share the evolution of Camp Bold...

Is a healthy joint an active joint or a stagnant joint? How many bleeds does it take to create damage? How does treatment adherence compliment our activity levels and joint health? Join us for the latest episode of Ask the Expert where nationally recognized physical therapist, Cindy Bailey, Ph.D, gives us the 101 on joint health, physical activity, and treatment adherence. Cindy is the director of physical therapy at the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Institute for Children and walks us through...

Did you know that women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental health condition when presenting cardiovascular symptoms? Or that, on average, it takes women ten years to be diagnosed with endometriosis? On the latest episode of Ask the Expert, we dive into this topic and the long history of women feeling dismissed or ignored when it comes to their health. We are joined by Christie VanHorne, a consultant with CVH Consulting, who has developed training modules to demystify...

The latest episode of Ask the Expert features a conversation with Danna Merritt, a chronic disease social worker with over 50 years experience counseling parents of a child with a serious medical condition. Danna is creator and founder of Parents Empowering Parents (PEP), a decades long parenting program for the bleeding disorder community and Energizing and Empowering Minds, a non-profit with the mission of helping parents be parents, and kids be kids, in spite of their medical challenges....

Are you considering board service with your local chapter or a national organization? Maybe you are currently serving on a board and know the unique struggle this volunteer position can face. Join us for a special Ask the Expert episode as we sit down with Jorge de la Riva, former board chair of The National Hemophilia Foundation. Jorge shares his personal views of the role of a board member and how serving your community in this way can be rewarding for you and your family. “The best way to...

Ever wonder what happens after you meet with a legislator and their staff? Ever wonder what they do with your courageous, compelling stories? Can you actually affect policy changes by advocating? Do your stories even matter? Join us for a special episode of Ask the Expert as we pull back the curtain on the legislative process! This month our guest is Bruce Barnum, a former staffer to Senator Al Franken. Bruce gives a glimpse of what it is like working for a congressional office, the...