Expert on innovative solutions in autoimmune care, Jin leads with a focus on patient-centered approaches and cutting-edge research to improve treatment outcomes.

A passionate advocate for autoimmune awareness, Shamekka shares her journey to inspire resilience, self-care, and empowerment for those living with chronic illness

Grace amplifies women leaders in healthcare innovation. She brings a unique perspective, blending innovation narratives with powerful patient and caregiver voices to drive empathy and change.

Dr. Rakhi Sutaria specializes in pain management and non-operative musculoskeletal treatments. With expertise in ultrasound and a holistic approach, she is dedicated to compassionate care in her community.​

Dr. Kevin Tin is a board-certified specialist dedicated to patient-centered autoimmune care. With advanced training from NYU Langone and Maimonides, he bridges medicine and cultural understanding to improve gut health and inflammation treatment.

Shanelle brings her love of storytelling to her work as a touring poet, multicultural communications educator, and lupus advocate. She has toured internationally, speaking on resilience, self-advocacy, and promoting health equity and diversity.

Danica is a passionate advocate for autoimmune patients, combining her type 1 diabetes experience and professional expertise to promote patient-centered care and digital health empowerment.

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Tanya has over a decade of experience specializing in nutrition for Lupus and autoimmune diseases. Passionate about empowering others, she combines evidence-based strategies with personal understanding to improve health and quality of life.
 

Dr. Lee has 16 years of experience managing chronic pain and autoimmune disorders. Living with AS, she advocates Tai Chi for relief. Combining evidence-based and holistic approaches, she empowers patients to live fully and motivates others to overcome challenges.

Leila is a Health Education Professional with experience in health education and social services. She leads LPL Consulting Services, offering expertise in health initiatives. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, she is dedicated to promoting community well-being through education and advocacy.
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Matthew is an essayist, songwriter, and stay-at-home dad who explores fatherhood as a journey of learning. With a Ph.D. in Education, his passion for growth and understanding now fuels his creative work. He is the author of Fatherhood Is Learning and has published fiction, poetry, and genre-blending music​

Nancy is dedicated to supporting those affected by arthritis. With experience in nonprofit fundraising and community engagement, she works with patients, volunteers, and partners to ensure people with arthritis have the resources and support they need. Her work focuses on building connections and creating opportunities for the arthritis community to thrive.

With two decades of Pilates experience and a background in Psychology, Kelli blends movement and mindset to help others connect with their best selves. A passionate teacher since the age of 13, she has taught at studios, gyms, and the Fletcher Pilates hub in Tucson, mentoring new instructors and guiding students to build strength, awareness, and resilience both physically and mentally.

Dr. Weintraub is a leading voice in integrative rheumatology, combining over 20 years of clinical experience with a root-cause approach to autoimmune care. As founder of Integrative Rheumatology Consultants, she focuses on personalized treatments that go beyond pharmaceuticals to help patients heal, preserve function, and thrive.
 

Dr. Han is a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care, offering teletherapy in New York and Texas. She uses evidence-based methods like DBT and TF-CBT to support healing in a culturally responsive space.

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Carla is Senior Manager of Patient Engagement and Education at Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance. With over 10 years of experience supporting patient communities, she leads efforts to center the voices of people with lupus throughout the clinical research process.

Amber is an ulcerative colitis patient and j-pouch surgery recipient who has lived with IBD since age 16. She’s a speaker, advocate, and medical writer helping patients understand their condition. Through her blog and podcast, About IBD, she shares insights and lived experience to support informed, evidence-based care.​​​

With over 20 years in global healthcare leadership, Suguna has led efforts to make care more patient-centered and accessible across the world. She brings deep experience in pharmaceuticals and advocacy, using her voice to drive change, build partnerships, and elevate the patient perspective in every conversation.​​

Caring for someone with lupus changed Bryanna’s life in unexpected ways. Through love and struggle, she found purpose in the L For Lupus Community, becoming a mental health advocate for both patients and caregivers. She believes setting boundaries is essential and is committed to reminding others that healing and support are for everyone.

In 2023, after a decade-long battle with Lupus, Sharifah channeled her struggles into transformative action. Driven by a passion to empower others, she founded LupUs Together to uplift and support those facing autoimmune diseases.

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Dr. Karena Wu is a leading physical therapist and clinic director known for her holistic, hands-on approach to pain and mobility. She also chairs the NYC Arthritis Foundation and is a regular media health expert.
 

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With over 25 years in healthcare, Catina founded Inflamed Sisters Thriving to empower women with inflammatory diseases through advocacy, resources, and community support. She leads both virtual and in-person events to raise awareness and promote health equity.

 

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Jennifer is an occupational therapy practitioner whose clinical work has focused on supporting older adults with physical and mental health needs. She brings over 15 years of health care experience, an MBA in Health Care Management, and academic leadership to her role.

Jean's primary mission revolves around enhancing the accessibility of science education to a diverse range of learners. At Mercy University, Dr. Walsh actively contributes to various committees and initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence
 

For over a decade, Kerry has been active in the arthritis, sarcoidosis, and rare disease communities, sharing her experience and insight to advocate, educate, and support others. She writes a column at Sarcoidosis News, and amplifies other patient voices through her Kaleidoscope anthology series. Her goal is to help patients feel seen, validated, and empowered.

Victor teaches economics, finance, and international business, with research focused on asset pricing, ESG risk management, and impact investing. He brings experience from Delta, Houlihan Lokey, and BlackRock, and holds degrees from Wharton, the Lauder Institute, and Université du Maine.

Nannette has been a faculty member since 1997 and formerly directed the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has held multiple leadership roles at Mercy and currently serves nationally on the Leadership Development Oversight Committee for the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy’s Leadership Academy.

Jaclyn Rizzo has over a decade of experience in Emergency Medicine and now teaches at Mercy University. She is pursuing functional medicine training to help address chronic illness and is known for her warm, patient-centered approach.