OxiWear attends the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) International Conference 2022

August 10, 2022

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) International Conference hosted in Atlanta brought together a community of more than 1,000 attendees, including those living with PH and members of their care teams, from June 9-12, 2022. The conference featured personal patient and caregiver insights, latest treatment therapies, and updates on new innovative medical research advancements. In line with PHA’s mission to empower those living with PH and to continue to search for a cure, this year’s conference theme was “PHacing the Future Together.”

Conference overview and highlights

The event launched with a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Marcie McGregor who discussed her initial misdiagnosis and PH journey as well as her advocacy and support work for the PH community.

Todd Bull, M.D. and Stephen Mathai, M.D., M.H.S. led the medical update component of the event and presented their research on “Redefining Pulmonary Hypertension through Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics.” This study was centered on identifying biomarkers to advance the diagnosis and treatment of PH.

The next day of the conference included the “Journeys Lunch,” which involved sharing stories in breakout sessions with medical professionals, patients, and caregivers. Discussions centered around “new therapies, exercise and pulmonary rehab, CTEPH, self-care, intimacy, getting involved in PHA and finding your voice.”

Exemplifying the advocacy work in the PH community, the annual awards dinner highlighted specific efforts by exceptional pulmonary hypertension supporters through the Outstanding Member Awards presentation. To read more about the seven award honorees this year, visit PHA Award Winners.

As the event drew to a close, there was a Saturday Night Party and Fashion Show. The fashion show demonstrated how PH patients expertly and fashionably manage and personalize their oxygen cannulas, mobility devices and medication pumps.

On June 12, there was a closing brunch with a performance by Stephen Carter-Hicks, a former Broadway actor who was in the touring production of Cats. He sang “You’ll Never Be Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers and “Keep Hope Alive,” an original song composed for him to perform at the PHA 2020 conference but was canceled due to the pandemic. Between the two songs, Carter-Hicks discussed his career on Broadway and how he copes with his PH diagnosis.

The final events involved passing the gavel to the new PHA Board of Trustee Chair, Tony Lahnston, and announcing the next conference dates and location – – June 27-30, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN.

In Shavi’s words, the event “is more than a conference, it’s an annual family reunion.” At OxiWear, we are proud to support and advocate for the PH community.