Scleroderma Foundation at PHA Conference in Houston, Texas

Kerri Connolly and Frannie Waldron

Thanks to its ongoing partnership with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, The Scleroderma Foundation took part in the Association’s 8th International PHA Conference this past June in Houston, Texas. 

Over 1100 individuals attended the three-day conference which was packed with over 60 exhibits and over 80 workshop sessions.  CEO Frannie Waldron and Education Manager Kerri Connolly, represented the Foundation at the conference, displaying an exhibit booth with various educational materials on scleroderma for attendees. “It was great seeing so many people – patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers – coming together," recalled Frannie.  Kerri concurred, "It was such a rewarding experience being a part of the conference.  Individuals from all walks of life attended this conference with a shared purpose: to gather information, ask questions, and meet others who share a common background with PHA and scleroderma.” Workshops provided by the conference also highlighted scleroderma and its connection to secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Gavin Lindberg

Also of note at the Conference was the PHA Award Recognition Ceremony which highlighted various individuals for their outstanding efforts in support of PHA. Much to his surprise, Gavin Lindberg, PHA's lobbyist on Capitol Hill, was awarded for going above and beyond in his advocacy work for PH. Gavin’s lobbying efforts were credited with having increased the PH Research Act’s number of co-sponsors from 1 in 2000 to 247 in 2005.  Working for the Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington, Gavin is also the lead advocate for the Scleroderma Foundation in Washington DC.  Indeed, PHA’s recognition of Gavin’s achievements demonstrates the tremendous dedication he provides to all of his advocacy endeavors, including those on behalf of the Foundation.

In all, attending the International PHA conference was a great way for the Foundation to generate awareness about scleroderma amongst patients, medical professionals, and industry representatives from around the world.