The Health Design Podcast Moyez Jiwa

Samira is a healthcare strategy and design leader who has incubated and operated numerous healthcare startups. She is the founder and CEO of Manta Cares Inc., a global community of caregivers and survivors dedicated to transforming the cancer experience, a company that emerged from her experiences as a cancer survivor. Manta Cares designs and develops tools and resources that enable cancer survivors to regain control and peace of mind. As part of the Manta mission, she hosts the podcast Patient from Hell, which Spotify ranks within the top 10% of all globally shared podcasts.

She is also a Venture Partner for Sozo Ventures, a global venture fund that invests in category-defining companies. Before holding those positions, she was VP of Product at Visby Medical, where she launched a multi-million dollar infectious disease test.

Samira started her career at McKinsey & Company and has degrees from MIT (Biological Engineering), Stanford University (Design), and Wellesley College (Art History). In her spare time, she can be found practicing martial arts, sketching, writing poetry, and playing with her two rescue dogs.

Shruti Mitkus is the Director of Genetic Education and Navigation at Global Genes, a leading rare disease patient advocacy organization. Shruti is a human molecular genetics scientist and genetics educator. She earned her doctorate in Human Genetics from University of Maryland Baltimore and completed her post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health, researching the genetic mechanisms of neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

After working in many different areas related to genetics, such as basic research, pharmacogenomics, genetic diagnostics, and variant interpretation, Shruti felt driven to engage more closely with patients and communities. She transitioned to patient advocacy and now directs programs that inform families about the molecular genetic causes of their illness, guide them through the diagnostic process and educate them about gene-based treatments, work that she describes as “genetic advocacy”.

While Shruti loves the science of genetics, she is most passionate about translating her knowledge of genetics in an approachable manner and addressing barriers to access genetic testing and cutting-edge treatments. She is an ardent believer in the power of education to empower and ultimately improve the lives of patients and families.

Shruti can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shruti-mitkus-rarediseasegenetics/

Estela was diagnosed with a progressive neuropathy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) at four years old, followed by her younger sister two years later.

In 2002, she graduated from FIT with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design. Today, her professional background in design, marketing, trend forecasting, and creative direction brings an unexpected approach to connecting the disability community to wellness, empowerment, and health.

After volunteering for eight years, Estela joined the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation full-time in 2018 as their Program Development Manager. Later in 2018, she testified in front of the FDA on the patient experience and the importance of funding CMT studies and potential therapies.

As moderator for the CMT-Connect webinar series, Estela enjoys sharing resources and expert information with the CMT community on various valuable topics. On the EmBrace It Podcast, she interviews community thought leaders and aims to empower women living with disabilities in all facets of life. Estela and co-host Lainie Isbia also provide original inclusion workshops focusing on improving advocacy & DEI through communication tools, starting with “How to Communicate with Anyone About Disability.” They’ve worked with many top brands, such as Levi Strauss, Pinterest, Lockheed Martin, The Abilities Expos, SUNY Farmingdale College, Health Union, and more.

In 2019, Estela gave her first TEDx talk titled “RePurpose Your Pain” on turning adversity into life’s most beautiful work. She co-teaches inclusive and adaptive design at the Fashion Institute of Technology for their Design for Social Impact program. Estela is represented by Gamut Management, an all-inclusive talent agency.

Dr. Sarah Parker Ward wants to help you think more affectionately about death so you can experience a healthier, more fulfilling life. Sarah holds a Ph.D. in Emerging Media Studies from Boston University where her research explored death cognition and related policy implications. She continues this thanatological work today both in practice and study as the co-founder of We Are Clio, a digital platform launching in 2024 to empower individuals on their deathcare journey through personalized education and community-building with non-clinical care providers such as death doulas, green burial crafters, and legacy artisans. In addition to death doula training, Sarah has also undergone instruction in mindfulness and psychedelic peer support. You can find this mom of three on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @skparkerward.

Neilanjan Nandi, MD, FACP is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Nandi's practice focuses on the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD, eg, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis) and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection via Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT). Dr. Nandi serves on the executive council of the Philadelphia Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCF), the medical advisory board of the United Ostomy Associates of America (UOAA), coordinates outreach on the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee and is a founding board member of the South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA). He also regularly peer reviews research publications and serves on the social media editorial board for the premier journals 'Inflammatory Bowel Diseases' and 'Crohn's & Colitis 360.'

His research has focused on studying conditions co-morbid to IBD quality of care such as characterizing the management and consequences of iron deficiency anemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in IBD patients. He has a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of refractory Clostridioides difficile infection and the application of fecal microbiota transplantation in C difficile. Dr. Nandi has helped conduct a number of clinical trials of stool derived microbiome therapies. He has also authored numerous book chapters on the diagnosis and management of various viral, parasitic, mycobacterial and bacterial infections of the GI tract.

Dr. Nandi’s fervor for clinical education has been recognized with multiple teaching awards including the 2023 Sidney Cohen Faculty Teacher of the Year for the Gastroenterology & Hepatology division of the University of Pennsylvania. He was honored as the 2019 Physician Hero by the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Crohn's and Colitis Foundation at their annual Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis event and wields digital & social media platforms to amplify education, outreach & advocacy in IBD to clinicians and patients. He was also awarded the Philadelphia CCF’s Chairman’s Citation in 2022. He is the regular host of an academic podcast : ‘GI Insights: IBD Crosstalk’ which features high yield, evidence based medicine discussions with guests from different interdisciplinary fields critical to providing comprehensive IBD care. Dr. Nandi’s passions include fitness, cooking, virtual reality gaming, reading and dancing. Follow him on social @fitwitmd.

Erin Moore is a visionary leader and innovator focused on transforming healthcare and building a more equitable economy for health and care. As the founder of Meanwhile Health, Erin leverages her strengths in systems thinking, strategic management, and leadership to drive meaningful change. Erin is an exceptionally skilled communicator, serving as an advisor to executives and delivering compelling talks on innovation and healthcare reform. She is also a gifted writer, using her platform to raise awareness of critical issues and share a bold vision for a better future of healthcare. Her unique blend of leadership, strategic insight, and communication expertise allows her to motivate teams, advance complex initiatives, and achieve transformational results.