Novo Nordisk has not had any input into the development of the podcasts or the selection of speakers. Novo Nordisk is the sole sponsor of the activity.

Trina Baria, a renowned patient advocate, pivoted from studying languages at the University of Manchester to healthcare advocacy following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. This experience highlighted a lack of support, particularly within the South Asian community, leading her to establish a consultancy focused on patient engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Trina emphasises the importance of embedding patient engagement in medicine for better outcomes and advocates for equitable compensation for patient authors. Collaborating with pharma, academia, and medical communications, she works to foster inclusive strategies. Her personal experiences, including raising MS awareness on a special edition of "Strictly Come Dancing," have cemented her status as a recognised leader driving change in the community.

The latest episode of Pep Talks, a podcast series by the International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPE), features a conversation with Mark Duma, a veteran in patient engagement with over 30 years of experience.

Mark shares his journey from a pharmacist to a leader in patient engagement, highlighting his role in founding the Patient Information Forum (PIF) to improve patient information quality. He emphasises the importance of personalised information as a form of therapy and the need for better patient engagement practices.

Mark discusses the challenges of integrating patient perspectives into healthcare, advocating for a balance between medical and therapeutic models. He also highlights the societal impact of patient engagement and the need for a common definition and metrics to measure its effectiveness.

The episode concludes with a call to focus on the impact of patient engagement initiatives, emphasising the importance of societal benefits over mere compliance.

Amy Cohen made history as the first person with sickle cell disease to complete a marathon. Diagnosed at birth due to mandatory newborn screenings in New York, she led a relatively normal childhood. Her motivation to run a marathon was inspired by watching Oprah Winfrey and was later reignited by New York's running culture.

Amy's advocacy for the sickle cell community is driven by her personal experiences and the challenges faced by others with the disease. She highlights the importance of sharing information, as many patients are unaware of treatment advancements. Amy also started her own consultancy, The Patient Room, to focus on patient and community engagement, aiming to bridge the gap between patients and the pharmaceutical industry.

Her work emphasises the need for collaboration and trust building, advocating for better access to information and resources. Amy's dedication to her community and her efforts to improve sickle cell care through legislative advocacy in Massachusetts demonstrate her commitment to making a difference. She remains motivated by influential figures and the support of her community.