BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/Phoenix X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Phoenix BEGIN:VEVENT UID:2019@azbio.org DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260409T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260409T160000 DTSTAMP:20260409T114656Z URL:https://www.azbio.org/events/voice-of-the-patient-aztw2026 SUMMARY:Voice of the Patient - AZ TECH WEEK - Health Sciences Innovation Bu ilding Forum 1670 E Drachman TUCSON - 9 Apr 26 13:00 DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nPatients Are Why We Do What We Do!\nJoin us in Tucson f or a Special AZ Tech Week Event!\nVoice of the Patient \nThursday\, April 9\, 2026\n\n1 PM - 4 PM\n\nThe University of Arizona\n\nHealth Sciences In novation Forum\n\n1670 E. Drachman St.\, Tucson\, AZ 85721\nREGISTER \ ;\nBy attending the this\, you agree to grant the Arizona Bioindustry Asso ciation\, the University of Arizona\, event sponsors and partners (togethe r "the Event Team") with \; permission to use your likeness in a photo graph\, video\, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications\, including web-based publications\, without payment or othe r consideration. You further agree that all photos will become the propert y of the Event Team.\nParking Information - \;Highland Garage\, \; 1420 E Helen St\, Tucson\, AZ 85719\nVisitor Parking is available at the H ighland Garage located on the north side of Helen St. between Cherry Ave. and Mountain Ave. A campus map is available here:  \;Interactive Campu s Parking Map \; | \; \;Campus Parking Map (PDF)\nHourly Rates : \;5:00 a.m. - 4:59 p.m.: \;$2.25/hour (Max Charge: $9)*\nInstruc tions: When parking in garages\, all parking fees must be paid prior to ex iting the facility. Payments are conveniently accepted at exit gates\, mob ile pay\, or pay stations\, available 24/7. Back-in parking is not permitt ed. Accepted payment methods include Visa\, MasterCard\, American Express\ , Discover\, Apple Pay\, and Google Pay. Please note that cash or checks a re not accepted. \;Need help paying for parking? Review the \;How To Pay for Parking \;video for more help. \;\nDirections to Health Sciences Innovation Building from Garage\nAfter exiting garage on foot\, travel east on Helen St. toward Cherry\, cross the street\, then head Nort h on Cherry and continue to the bike path on Mabel St. After arriving at M abel\, turn east following the bike path to approach the Health Sciences I nnovation Building.\n \;\n\n[caption id="attachment_48732" align="alig nright" width="300"] Learn about BEHIND BIO5 Image: Behind BIO5 2025 - Cre dit Lily Howe[/caption]\nVoice of the Patient Agenda\n1:00 PM \;   \;Check-in\, Networking\, Refreshments\n\n1:30 PM Program Begins\n\nWelcom e\n\nDr. Jennifer Barton &\; Dr. Vignesh Subbian\n\nPatient Voices\n\n Dr. Meredith Mitstifer\n Dylan Peay\, PhD\n Living with ALS: James "Jim " Butler\, Mary Cross\, Rosemary Horsman\, and Deboni Park\n Monk Yun Rou \n Navigating Life with Diabetes: Julie Hoffman\n Jacqueline (Jackie) Ng uyen\n Saving Lives\, One Heart at a Time: Dr. Francisco Arabia\, Randy S hephard\, and Amanda Vaji\n\nAmplifying Patient Voices\n\nJoan Koerber-Wal ker\n\n4:00 PM \; Program concludes\n\n4:30 PM \; - Join us Next D oor for Behind BIO5!\n\n \;\nSPEAKERS\nFrancisco Arabia\, MD\, MBA\, & nbsp\;Professor of Surgery and Medicine\; Physician Executive\, Center for Advanced Heart Failure\n\n Dr. Arabia received his medical degree from th e University of Pennsylvania\, a degree in bioengineering from Tulane Univ ersity\, and a master’s in business administration from the University o f Arizona. He was a Clinical Associate at NHLBI in Bethesda\, MD. Dr. Arab ia's disciplinary focus is Cardiac Surgery\, Heart Failure and Heart/Lung Transplantation. His area of expertise includes Heart Transplantation\, Ar tificial Heart\, and Mechanical Circulatory Support. Dr. Arabia establishe d the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Programs a t Mayo Clinic\, Scottsdale\, AZ. He served as Director for Advanced MCS Ce nter at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center\, Los Angeles\, CA.\, and currently se rves as Physician Executive for Advanced Heart Programs at Banner–Univer sity Medical Center in Phoenix. Dr. Arabia has one of the largest implanta tion experiences in the world with Total Artificial Heart. He has been a c onsultant 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.\n\nJim Butler – Living with ALS since 2 017\n\n\n\nJim Butler was initially diagnosed in 2017 with benign fascicul ation and cramping based on initial EMG testing. \; Having experienced continued fasciculations and loss of right arm movement additional testin g 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 var iant having slow progression affecting his hands and arms initially. The o utcome is the same as all ALS patients\, however Jim’s approach is maint aining 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 Administra tion with over 30 years’ experience in Health Insurance and Health Deliv ery operations within hospitals and medical groups as a leading executive. Jim retired at 64 due to the effect of ALS.\n\nMary Cross - Living with A LS since 2024\n\nMary Cross was born in St. Louis\, Missouri\, and moved t o 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 l ifelong commitment to serving others. Over the years\, Mary dedicated hers elf to her community through her work in Arizona schools as a substitute t eacher and her time with the Pima County Library system. While her profess ional contributions were meaningful\, the role she holds closest to her he art is raising her three children—gracefully balancing the demands of bu sy\, 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 outdoor s\, especially hiking throughout Arizona’s beautiful landscapes. She als o finds joy in cooking\, baking\, quilting\, and spending meaningful time with family and friends—activities that reflect her nurturing spirit and creativity.\n\nIn the spring of 2024\, Mary began experiencing early symp toms of ALS and was eventually diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in December 2025. Throughout this journey\, she continues to be a source of strength and in spiration to those around her\, facing each day with courage and grace.\n\ nRosemary Horsman - Living with ALS since 2024\n\n\n\nRose Horsman\, age 7 5\, retired in 2014 after 40 years working for Mayo Clinic including 33 ye ars 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 Min nesota and 6 months in Arizona! Married to Marv for 55 years\, Rose and Ma rv have 2 sons\, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. \; "They are the highlights of my life!!"\n\n"I can brag about my many dear friends\, m y powerful work ethic\, my unfortunate lack of interest in politics\,\nmy hobbies of reading books(especially biographies &\; reality)\, scrapboo king memories\, travels\, love of Downhill skiing\, horseback riding\, vol unteer 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 (si nce high school)."\n\n"I have an extreme sense of independence. \; Sin ce being diagnosed with ALS September 17\,2024…..Life has changed signif icantly."\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\, President &\; CEO\, AZBio\n\n\n\nJoa n Koerber-Walker\, is a wife\, mother\, grandmother\, and patient advocate . She also serves as president and CEO of AZBio and as chairman of the boa rd of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation. These two organ izations have come together to create AZAdvances. Its mission is to suppor t the creation and of Arizona-based health innovations. The team is workin g to create a sustainable solution to address the need for early-stage lif e 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.\n\n \;\nMered ith Mitstifer\, Psy.D.\, Clinical Psychologist\; Ovarian Cancer Survivor a nd Advocate\n\n\nDr. Meredith Mitstifer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologis t for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Meredith was diagnosed with ovarian c ancer at the age of 30\, when she was four months pregnant. This year\, sh e 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 Dir ector Emeritus. She has presented and published research on perceived part ner adaptation during a cancer diagnosis. She is a public speaker on vicar ious trauma\, transformational leadership\, and ovarian cancer thrivorship . Meredith enjoys writing for BRIGHTER Magazine and participating in endur ance events for NOCC TEAM TEAL via hiking and cycling. In 2023\, Meredith and her son summited Mount Kilimanjaro together to take ovarian cancer awa reness to new heights.\n\n \;\n\nJacqueline (Jackie) Nguyen\n\nJackie Nguyen was diagnosed with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) at t he 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 ta ke off the following spring semester as she began chemotherapy. Treatment lasted for 6 months\, with constant blood draws and mental preparation wit h 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 gonn a 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 t o transition back into school\, learning to acclimate to the environment a nd 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 ar e 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 medi cal school.” - Jackie Nguyen\n\nDeboni Park\, Director of Advocacy and C are Services \;at \;ALS Arizona\n\n\nDeboni Park serves as Directo r of Advocacy and Care Services at ALS Arizona where she oversees support services\, medical equipment programs\, and care for ALS patients and fami lies. She serves as a key contact for care services and support groups in the Arizona area.\n \;\n \;\n \;\n \;\n \;\nDylan N. P eay\, PhD\n \;\n\nDylan Peay starts his story like this... "I had a cl ean bill of health until March of 2021. I awoke surrounded by paramedics a nd was informed that I had a seizure. I was released from the hospital but returned after I had another seizure that day. EEGs were normal and MRI s howed nothing of major concern. Spinal tap results later revealed signs of MS and I was diagnosed and placed on infusion treatments although seizure s were my only presenting symptom. I was later diagnosed with epilepsy aft er more seizures and have been on the journey to find the treatment combin ation to remain seizure-free."\n \;\n \;\nRandy Shephard\n \;\ nRandy 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 Freedo m® 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 st ability and meaningful quality of life while patients await a donor heart. \n \;\n \;\n \;\n \;\nAmanda Vaji\, Manager\, Mechanical C irculatory Support Program\, Banner University Medical Center Phoenix  \;\nAmanda Vaji is an Arizona native\, born in the Phoenix area. She obtai ned her nursing degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana\, where she s tarted her career in the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (PCU). She later mo ved to Los Angeles to work at Cedars Sinai in the PCU and then Cardiovascu lar Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) taking care of durable Mechanical Circulat ory Support (MCS) patients at the bedside\, including Total Artificial Hea rts. In 2018\, she moved back to Phoenix and started working for Banner Un iversity Medical Center Phoenix (BUMCP) as a Mechanical Circulatory Suppor t Coordinator taking care of inpatient and outpatient MCS patients.. She h as worked her way up and is now the Manager of the MCS Program at BUMCP. S he enjoys spending time with her husband\, Zack\, two children\, Emma (3 y rs)\, and Kole (6 months)\, and her two dogs.\n\n \;\n\nMonk Yun Rou \ n\n\n\nCalled the new Alan Watts for his teachings and the Zen Gabriel Gar cia Marquez for his writings\, Daoist Monk Yun Rou (formerly Arthur Rosenf eld) received his academic education at Yale\, Cornell\, and the Universit y of California and was ordained a monk in an official ceremony at the Chu n 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.&nb sp\;His more than 20 award-winning non-fiction books and novels of magical realism focus on philosophy\, history\, compassion\, and culture. From 20 10 – 2013\, he hosted the hit (reaching 60MM households) national public television show \;Longevity Tai Chi with Arthur Rosenfeld. The Americ an Heart Association profiled Yun Rou as an inspirational resource in 2016 .\n\nMonk Yun Rou \;began his formal martial arts training in 1980 and has studied with some of China’s top Chen-style tai chi grandmasters. I n 2011 he was named Tai Chi Master of The Year at the World Congress on Qi gong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In July 2014\, Yun Rou joined the h eads 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.\n\n&nb sp\;\n\n\n\nThank You to Our Partners!\n\n\n\n\n \;  \;\n\n \; \n\n \;\n\n CATEGORIES:AZ- South LOCATION:Health Sciences Innovation Building Forum 1670 E Drachman TUCSON\, 1670 E Drachman\, TUCSON\, AZ\, 85719\, United States X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=1670 E Drachman\, TUCSON\, AZ\, 85719\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Health Sciences Inno vation Building Forum 1670 E Drachman TUCSON:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Phoenix X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Phoenix BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20250409T130000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR