Date/Time
Date(s) - 9 Apr 2026
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Health Sciences Innovation Building Forum 1670 E Drachman TUCSON
Patients Are Why We Do What We Do!
Join us in Tucson for a Special AZ Tech Week Event!
Voice of the Patient 
Thursday, April 9, 2026
1 PM – 4 PM
The University of Arizona
Health Sciences Innovation Forum
1670 E. Drachman St., Tucson, AZ 85721
REGISTER
By attending the this, you agree to grant the Arizona Bioindustry Association, the University of Arizona, event sponsors and partners (together “the Event Team”) with permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. You further agree that all photos will become the property of the Event Team.
Parking Information – Highland Garage, 1420 E Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85719
Visitor Parking is available at the Highland Garage located on the north side of Helen St. between Cherry Ave. and Mountain Ave. A campus map is available here: Interactive Campus Parking Map | Campus Parking Map (PDF)
Hourly Rates: 5:00 a.m. – 4:59 p.m.: $2.25/hour (Max Charge: $9)*
Instructions: When parking in garages, all parking fees must be paid prior to exiting the facility. Payments are conveniently accepted at exit gates, mobile pay, or pay stations, available 24/7. Back-in parking is not permitted. Accepted payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Please note that cash or checks are not accepted. Need help paying for parking? Review the How To Pay for Parking video for more help.
Directions to Health Sciences Innovation Building from Garage
After exiting garage on foot, travel east on Helen St. toward Cherry, cross the street, then head North on Cherry and continue to the bike path on Mabel St. After arriving at Mabel, turn east following the bike path to approach the Health Sciences Innovation Building.
Learn about BEHIND BIO5
Image: Behind BIO5 2025 – Credit Lily Howe
Voice of the Patient Agenda
1:00 PM Check-in, Networking, Refreshments
1:30 PM Program Begins
Welcome
Dr. Jennifer Barton & Dr. Vignesh Subbian
Patient Voices
- Dr. Meredith Mitstifer
- Dylan Peay, PhD
- Living with ALS: James “Jim” Butler, Mary Cross, Rosemary Horsman, and Deboni Park
- Monk Yun Rou
- Navigating Life with Diabetes: Julie Hoffman
- Jacqueline (Jackie) Nguyen
- Saving Lives, One Heart at a Time: Dr. Francisco Arabia, Randy Shephard, and Amanda Vaji
Amplifying Patient Voices
Joan Koerber-Walker
4:00 PM Program concludes
4:30 PM – Join us Next Door for Behind BIO5!
SPEAKERS
Francisco Arabia, MD, MBA, Professor of Surgery and Medicine; Physician Executive, Center for Advanced Heart Failure
Dr. Arabia received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a degree in bioengineering from Tulane University, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Arizona. He was a Clinical Associate at NHLBI in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Arabia’s disciplinary focus is Cardiac Surgery, Heart Failure and Heart/Lung Transplantation. His area of expertise includes Heart Transplantation, Artificial Heart, and Mechanical Circulatory Support. Dr. Arabia established the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Programs at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. He served as Director for Advanced MCS Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA., and currently serves as Physician Executive for Advanced Heart Programs at Banner–University Medical Center in Phoenix. Dr. Arabia has one of the largest implantation experiences in the world with Total Artificial Heart. He has been a consultant and visiting professor at many academic medical centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has over 100 publications on the topic of mechanical circulatory support.
Jim Butler – Living with ALS since 2017
Jim Butler was initially diagnosed in 2017 with benign fasciculation and cramping based on initial EMG testing. Having experienced continued fasciculations and loss of right arm movement additional testing was performed in 2024 by Barrow Neurologic Institute, and the diagnosis of ALS was confirmed. Jim has a form known as bibrachial ALS, a rare variant having slow progression affecting his hands and arms initially. The outcome is the same as all ALS patients, however Jim’s approach is maintaining a positive attitude and participating in as many clinical trials as possible, becoming involved with ALS Arizona on the advisory committee, and participating in Junior Achievement to help others and be a voice for patients in Arizona. Jim’s background is in Healthcare Administration with over 30 years’ experience in Health Insurance and Health Delivery operations within hospitals and medical groups as a leading executive. Jim retired at 64 due to the effect of ALS.
Mary Cross – Living with ALS since 2024
Mary Cross was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Arizona in 1975 to attend Northern Arizona University. It was there, on the ski slopes, that she met her husband, Mark. Mary went on to earn a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education, beginning a lifelong commitment to serving others. Over the years, Mary dedicated herself to her community through her work in Arizona schools as a substitute teacher and her time with the Pima County Library system. While her professional contributions were meaningful, the role she holds closest to her heart is raising her three children—gracefully balancing the demands of busy, active family life. In recent years, she has embraced her cherished role as “Oma” to her nine grandchildren, bringing joy, warmth, and love to each of their lives. Mary has a deep passion for the outdoors, especially hiking throughout Arizona’s beautiful landscapes. She also finds joy in cooking, baking, quilting, and spending meaningful time with family and friends—activities that reflect her nurturing spirit and creativity.
In the spring of 2024, Mary began experiencing early symptoms of ALS and was eventually diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in December 2025. Throughout this journey, she continues to be a source of strength and inspiration to those around her, facing each day with courage and grace.
Rosemary Horsman – Living with ALS since 2024
Rose Horsman, age 75, retired in 2014 after 40 years working for Mayo Clinic including 33 years as a Registered Nurse. Born and raised in Minnesota to a good farming family, Rose enjoys the Snow Bird life spending 6 months each year in Minnesota and 6 months in Arizona! Married to Marv for 55 years, Rose and Marv have 2 sons, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. “They are the highlights of my life!!”
“I can brag about my many dear friends, my powerful work ethic, my unfortunate lack of interest in politics,
my hobbies of reading books(especially biographies & reality), scrapbooking memories, travels, love of Downhill skiing, horseback riding, volunteer work in my local church as a Parish Nurse, as well as active work with “Faith in Action”. I have an appreciation for public speaking (since high school).”
“I have an extreme sense of independence. Since being diagnosed with ALS September 17,2024…..Life has changed significantly.”
Joan Koerber-Walker, President & CEO, AZBio
Joan Koerber-Walker, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and patient advocate. She also serves as president and CEO of AZBio and as chairman of the board of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation. These two organizations have come together to create AZAdvances. Its mission is to support the creation and of Arizona-based health innovations. The team is working to create a sustainable solution to address the need for early-stage life science funding for researchers and companies in Arizona and developing the programs they need to succeed. The goal is to help develop and deliver the treatments and cures that patients are waiting for.
Meredith Mitstifer, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist; Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Advocate
Dr. Meredith Mitstifer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Meredith was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 30, when she was four months pregnant. This year, she celebrates 23 years of survivorship with her son. Meredith has served as NOCC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2018 and is currently Director Emeritus. She has presented and published research on perceived partner adaptation during a cancer diagnosis. She is a public speaker on vicarious trauma, transformational leadership, and ovarian cancer thrivorship. Meredith enjoys writing for BRIGHTER Magazine and participating in endurance events for NOCC TEAM TEAL via hiking and cycling. In 2023, Meredith and her son summited Mount Kilimanjaro together to take ovarian cancer awareness to new heights.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Nguyen
Jackie Nguyen was diagnosed with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) at the age of 17 during her first year in college at the UofA. This took place during the winter break of her freshman year of college and led her to take off the following spring semester as she began chemotherapy. Treatment lasted for 6 months, with constant blood draws and mental preparation with chemotherapy lasting for 5 days, 24 hours infusion. The hope that kept Jackie going was Make-A-Wish and continuing her journey with college, in hopes of becoming a doctor one day. “All those times thinking I was gonna do something” turned into “I’m healthy now, let’s go do it.” The mindset of a cancer patient changes; as I, (Jackie) had to get used to the social norms now coming back as a patient that experienced cancer to transition back into school, learning to acclimate to the environment and people around me again. Jackie now volunteers with Make-A-Wish Arizona in hopes to bring that light and hope as well as advocacy for kids that are going through a similar journey like her. “Being on the patient’s side has transformed me into a person that understands what is going through a patient’s mind and I hope to apply my experiences to my pursuit of medical school.” – Jackie Nguyen
Deboni Park, Director of Advocacy and Care Services at ALS Arizona
Randy Shephard is a patient who faced end-stage biventricular heart failure and received the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart as a life-saving bridge to transplant. While supported by the device and the Freedom® portable driver, he was able to leave the hospital, regain mobility, and even complete a multi-mile public run—earning recognition as the “Tin Man.” His journey highlights how the SynCardia TAH can restore stability and meaningful quality of life while patients await a donor heart.
Amanda Vaji is an Arizona native, born in the Phoenix area. She obtained her nursing degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana, where she started her career in the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (PCU). She later moved to Los Angeles to work at Cedars Sinai in the PCU and then Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) taking care of durable Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) patients at the bedside, including Total Artificial Hearts. In 2018, she moved back to Phoenix and started working for Banner University Medical Center Phoenix (BUMCP) as a Mechanical Circulatory Support Coordinator taking care of inpatient and outpatient MCS patients.. She has worked her way up and is now the Manager of the MCS Program at BUMCP. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Zack, two children, Emma (3 yrs), and Kole (6 months), and her two dogs.
Monk Yun Rou
Called the new Alan Watts for his teachings and the Zen Gabriel Garcia Marquez for his writings, Daoist Monk Yun Rou (formerly Arthur Rosenfeld) received his academic education at Yale, Cornell, and the University of California and was ordained a monk in an official ceremony at the Chun Yang Daoist Temple in Guangzhou, China. His work has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Parade, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Fox Business News, and numerous other websites and newspapers. His more than 20 award-winning non-fiction books and novels of magical realism focus on philosophy, history, compassion, and culture. From 2010 – 2013, he hosted the hit (reaching 60MM households) national public television show Longevity Tai Chi with Arthur Rosenfeld. The American Heart Association profiled Yun Rou as an inspirational resource in 2016.
Monk Yun Rou began his formal martial arts training in 1980 and has studied with some of China’s top Chen-style tai chi grandmasters. In 2011 he was named Tai Chi Master of The Year at the World Congress on Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In July 2014, Yun Rou joined the heads of the five tai chi families on the dais, representing American tai chi, at the International Tai Chi Symposium in Louisville, Kentucky. He teaches in Southern Arizona, South Florida, and around the world.
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