Amplify: A Podcast Powered by Patient Voice Partners

What changes when a patient advocate becomes the mother of a critically ill child? Julie Croner joins Ursula Mann and co-host Anne-Marie Hayes to share her experiences with psoriatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and melanoma—and how her youngest daughter’s six-month hospitalization gave her a different understanding of caregiving. Julie reflects on the patient communities that helped her find a path forward, the emotional impact of illness on the whole family...

Who gets to define what matters to patients in clinical research? Martine Elias, CEO of Myeloma Canada, joins Ursula Mann and Anne-Marie Hayes to explore why meaningful patient involvement must go beyond asking doctors what patients want. From clinical trial design and treatment side effects to access barriers and research priorities, Martine shares how patient organizations connect people, challenge assumptions, and turn lived experience into action. Episode highlights 02:56 — From saving wh...

What does it take to turn lived experience into lasting change for patients? Gail Attara joins Ursula Mann and Anne-Marie Hayes to share how growing up with a mother living with Crohn’s disease shaped her commitment to advocacy. Together, they explore the impact of inflammatory bowel disease beyond the gut, the importance of medication coverage, and the work behind patient organizations. Gail also offers candid insights into funding, accountability, and what meaningful collaboration requires ...

Pregnancy complications can affect a woman’s health long after delivery—but those connections are not always recognized. In this episode of Amplify, Ursula Mann and Anne-Marie Hayes speak with Bonnie about her experience with HELLP syndrome, a rare and potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication involving the blood and liver. At 36 weeks pregnant, Bonnie developed high blood pressure, a severe headache, and vomiting, leading to an urgent induction and the early delivery of her first c...

Episode Summary When Kathleen “Kathy” Barnard noticed two small spots on her arm, she had no idea they would lead to a diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma—and a prognosis of just three to six months. In this episode of Amplify, Kathy shares the extraordinary story of how persistence, family advocacy, compassionate-access treatment, and emerging immuno-oncology gave her another chance at life. She also speaks candidly about the gaps she encountered throughout her journey, from an initia...