PH Insights

When Care Goes Beyond Treatment: How a Support Group Redefined Support

Host: Jolie Lizana, PAH patient and advocate

Guests: Debbie Kittel, BSN, RN, CCRN, nursing program manager, PAH program, Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital; and Tiffani Brown, PH patient, Ohio State University-Columbus support group co-leader.

 

Just in time for the holidays, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association shares the extraordinary impact of a simple, thoughtful gift. Host Jolie Lizana talks with Debbie Kittel, a PH nurse, and Tiffani Brown, the patient who received a priceless gesture during one of her darkest moments: a jar of handwritten notes from her care team and support group. Hear how this act of empathy became a tradition, inspired dozens of patients and redefined what it means to give and receive support.

Shaping the Future: Women Innovators Transforming Pediatric PH Research

Guest Host: Elizabeth Joseloff, PhD, vice president, Quality Care and Research, Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Guests: Ripla Arora, PhD, developmental geneticist and associate professor, Michigan State University; and Katelyn Enzer, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, University of Colorado

 

On this episode of PH Insights, we highlight the women innovators who are transforming how we understand and treat pulmonary hypertension in children. Guest host Elizabeth Joseloff sits down with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s 2025 Pediatric PH Research Award recipients, Ripla Arora and Katelyn Enzer, to discuss how their work could lead to earlier answers for families and pave the way for better care in the future. Arora and Enzer also reflect on the impact of PHA funding on their careers and what inspired them to focus on PH.

About their research: Arora aims to uncover how genetic changes affect lung development and identify therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for children with TBX4 syndrome. Enzer is focused on developing innovative techniques to assess pulmonary function in preterm infants and deepen understanding of the complex cardiopulmonary physiology underlying these conditions.

To learn more about PHA supported research, visit PHA’s Research Programs page.

Partnering with Your Care Team: Advocacy in PH – Part 2

Hosts: Jenna Olitsky, PAH and HHT patient, PHA’s Patient and Caregiver Education Committee member; Jolie Lizana, PAH patient and advocate; Meghan M. Cirulis, MD, MS, medical director, Intermountain Health Pulmonary Hypertension Center, assistant professor, pulmonary and critical care medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, adjunct assistant professor, University of Utah Pulmonary and Critical Care.

 

In this episode, hosts Lizana, Olitsky and Cirulis continue the conversation on advocacy, focusing on self-advocacy beyond the doctor’s office. They share how to communicate your needs with family, friends and others, set healthy boundaries and find confidence in representing yourself and your condition. The discussion offers real-life strategies and encouragement for living and advocating for yourself every day.

 

 

Visit PHA's Traveling with PH page for travel tips. 

Read more about the Air Carrier Access Act to learn about your rights as a taveler. 

Partnering with Your Care Team: Advocacy in PH – Part 1

Guests: Jenna Olitsky, PAH and HHT patient, PHA’s Patient and Caregiver Education Committee member

Jolie Lizana, PAH patient and advocate

Meghan M. Cirulis, MD, MS, medical director, Intermountain Health Pulmonary Hypertension Center, assistant professor, pulmonary and critical care medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, adjunct assistant professor, University of Utah Pulmonary and Critical Care.

 

In this episode, new show hosts and PH patients Jolie Lizana and Jenna Olitsky join PH expert Meghan Cirulis to discuss why understanding your health is the foundation of effective advocacy. They explore how education empowers patients to communicate confidently with their doctors, build trust within their care teams and take an active role in managing PH

 

Philanthropy at PHA: From Tribute Gifts to Tax Changes

Guest Hosts: Sarah Smith, PHA’s director of fundraising events, and Courtney Durham, PHA’s director of individual giving.

 

In this episode, PHA fundraising team members Sarah Smith and Courtney Durham discuss the role and impact of charitable giving. They highlight the value of broad-based donor support, how fundraising events like the O₂breathe Walk series empower community members to make a significant impact, and preview upcoming 2026 tax changes that will affect charitable deductions.

This episode is the second in a two-part series about philanthropy at PHA.

Prepare for 2026 Open Enrollment: Key Insurance Changes You Need to Know

Guest: Jaeger Spratt, MSW, PHA’s advocacy and treatment access program manager

 

In this episode, Jaeger Spratt shares what you need to know to prepare for the 2026 open enrollment period. They explain how cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs in the recently passed budget bill will affect the PH community and what to expect from 2026 Health Insurance Marketplace plans.

Listen now to learn how to navigate potential formulary changes and stay up to date on key enrollment deadlines.

Visit PHA’s Insurance and Treatment Access page for more in-depth information.

Additional Resources:

Financial Assistance info: phassociation.org/help

PHA Insurance Guide: phassociation.org/patients/insurance-and-treatment-access/

ACA Marketplace Plans: healthcare.gov

Medicare Rights Center: MedicareRights.org; 800-333-4114

Patient Advocate Foundation case management service: PatientAdvocate.org; 800-532-5274

State Health Insurance Assistance Program: shiphelp.org/; 877-839-2675

Every Gift Matters: How the PHA Community Gives Back

Guests: Traci Stewart, RN, MSN, CHFN, PHA Board of Trustees chair and PH nurse coordinator at the Heart and Vascular Center of University of Iowa;

Guest stories from: Doug Taylor, PHA Board of Trustees member, support group leader and PH patient; Kimberlee Miller, PH patient; Amy Burant, PH patient; Casey Perez, PH patient; Priya Bavalia, PH community supporter; Shirley Duggan, family member of person with PH and bereaved family member.

 

On this episode, PHA’s board chair Traci Stewart shares inspiring stories from PH community members about their unique ways of giving back to PHA. From monthly donations and raising awareness to annual traditions and a lemonade stand, hear how everyday people are making a difference for the PH community.

This episode is the first in a two-part series about philanthropy at PHA.

Learn more about fundraising on PHA’s website.

To make a gift, visit PHA’s Donate page.

Living with Sickle Cell Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension

Guests: James H. Tarver III, MD, cardiologist at AdventHealth Medical Group – Central Florida Division; and Nicole Creech, PHA Board of Trustees member, SCD and PH patient, and support group leader

 

On this episode of PH Insights, guests Nicole Creech and James Tarver explore the connection between sickle cell disease and pulmonary hypertension. They discuss the complexities of diagnosis, the challenges faced by patients and the role of advocacy and resilience in managing both chronic conditions.

Tune in to learn about treatment options, the importance of a supportive health care team, and the hope for future advancements in care.

For more information, download the Pulmonary Hypertension & Sickle Cell Disease brochure.