Volunteer Staff
Who
we are
Board
of Medical Consultants
Our
mission statement
Mailing
address
Contact us by Email
Confidentiality
Our advertising policy
Our Funding
Contact us
Our Logo
How PHCentral Began
Volunteer Staff
Officers
Cheryl Switzer, President
Mimi Bitner, Vice President
Edna Merrill, Treasurer
Board of Directors
Armond Aserinsky (board consultant)
Mimi Bitner
Kathryn Frix (limited voting rights)
Cheryl Switzer
Dennis Stenshorn
Email List Moderators
Mimi Bitner
Alex Flipse
Helen Forrest
Cindy Hammond
Sue Mace
Diane Ramirez
Lisa Smith
Dennis Stenshorn
Judy Vucci
Shirley Wissler
Annie Whitaker
Karen Jo Whittlesey
Margaret Wright
Other PHC Staff
Corey Frix – Newsroom Co-Editor
Alan Harder - Social Security expert
Sheri Johnson – Links Editor and PHFriends chat moderator
Jenn Lalonde –Polls Editor
Merle Reeseman - Action Central Editor
Who
we are:
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Armond Aserinsky, Ph.D.
Armond, currently a consultant to the board of directors, is the past president and co-founder of PHCentral, Inc. He is a Clinical Psychologist with a longstanding interest in the use of mass media for educational and therapeutic purposes. When his wife became ill with PAH, he harnessed his skills to create an electronic world-wide self-help community which evolved into PHCentral. He is an activist who sees his role as one of providing information, fostering connections, and directing political pressure to benefit the PAH community. |
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Mimi Bitner
Mimi, PHC’s vice-president and a member of the board of directors, began her volunteer work at PHCentral early in 2001. In addition to her staff duties, she serves as lead Moderator for the group of volunteers that monitor our WebBoard activity. Mimi is retired from a long career as a legal secretary and executive secretary to a Houston City Councilman. Mimi was diagnosed with ph in January 1999, secondary to sleep apnea; her sleep apnea being successfully treated resulted in some improvement in her PAH in 2001. As the mother of 5, grandmother of 11 and great-grandmother of 3, she understands the art of diplomacy. And as she puts it herself, she is uniquely qualified to serve the PAH community because in her lifetime, “I have made upwards of 71,822,564 decisions”.
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Alex Flipse
When
I was diagnosed two years ago with PPH, I went into depression,
as most people do when diagnosed with a 'terminal
illness'. It took
me a while to get out of that depression, when I did, I realized
that God doesn't do things on accident. He let me be sick, because
He knows I can do something good with what I have. I contacted
people wanting to help, but no one got back in touch with me.
It wasn't
until PHCentral came along that people started answering my plea.
I want to help!!! I want to help!!! PHCentral gave me the opportunity
to host a few chats a week and I have totally loved doing this.
The satisfaction that I got, knowing that I am helping someone
with
the chats , is awesome. When these chats expanded to weekend chats,
I felt like I was doing what I am supposed to be doing, helping.
I just love being a part of PHCentral. It is wonderful being a
part of a family that loves one another, as much as I love them
too!!!
Alex Flipse moderates the PHParents email list for PHCentral. |
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Helen Forrest
Helen is a PHFriends email list moderator at PHCentral. |
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Corey Frix
Corey is Co-editor of the Newsroom and
Manager of Media and Format Conversion. He is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of
most. He is conversant with
both the Chicago
Manual
of Style and Audel's Automotive Handbook . In his day job he
has risen from printer's devil to Devil's Printer but has yet
to fulfill
the ambition of all who work in his field: being able to shout
"Stop the Presses!!!" Someday he hopes that Perry
White will give him that chance. Corey became interested
in PH after being diagnosed with it. His sleep apnea is much
improved,
which is a great relief to his neighbors in Clombonia, OH. |
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Kathryn Frix
Kathryn is a board member of PHCentral. She is also PHC webmaster. She has been the webmaster
for many
years for
a liturgical
artist, David
J. Hetland. When David was diagnosed with PPH in the fall of 1997,
Kathryn turned to the web for information and support and has become an
active member
of the PH community. |
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Cindy Hammond
Cindy is a PHFriends email list moderator. |
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Alan Harder
I began working for the Social Security Administration in 1973. I worked in Social Security district offices as a Claims Representative, Supervisor, Technical Expert and Area Systems Coordinator. I spent the last two years of my career teaching SSA employees how to use their new Electronic Disability Claims process and installing the equipment they use to make it work.
My wife was diagnosed with PPH in October 2005. She continued to work for another 6 months as a high school English teacher, but was forced to stop because of her illness in April 2006. I retired at the end of 2006 to spend more time with her, and to pursue a 2nd career as a lay pastor. I currently serve as a part-time associate pastor in my church, working only 2 days a week instead of 5 or 6.
We have two adult children, both married, and a 20 month-old granddaughter. (Isn't it marvelous how EVERYONE's grandchild is the most beautiful in the world!)
I got a very good view "from the other side of the desk" as my wife's Social Security claim was processed. Social Security required her claim to be filed in a distant office where we were not known, and I was not permitted to represent her or intervene in her behalf as the claim was evaluated.
I want to share some observations on how to communicate effectively with Social Security as PHer's begin the process of filing for benefits. Some of my posts appeared last month on the PHAssociation bulletin board under the name "Social Security RETIRED." I will try to offer what insight I can into the critical process of filing for Social Security Disability Benefits through articles, and by responding to questions posted by PHers.
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Sheri Johnson
I am a mom & a wife. I have 3 kids and
a husband of 18 years. I was diagnosed with primary pulmonary
hypertension in December 2003.
I reside in Rockford, Minnesota.
I plan on trying to help anybody I can with this disease as others have helped
me.
I plan on being here when they find the miracle CURE for this disease.
Sheri is editor of the links section of PHCentral, and is the PHFriends Chat Moderator.. |
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Jenn Lalonde
My name is Jenn and I reside in Ontario, Canada. I live with my longtime
boyfriend Wes and our dog Charly. I was diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary
Hypertension in May 2003, but I know I've had it for about 2 years prior to
that. Right now I'm feeling really well, and I keep myself busy at home (since I haven't worked since getting sick) by reading, writing in my diary
at PHC, talking to friends, working out and playing with my dog. Ph has
changed my life dramatically, but I'm hanging in there.. :)
Jenn is the Polls Editor at PHCentral. |
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Sue Mace
I'm the mother of 2 teenage daughters and wife of 17 years. I've had PPH for 3 years. I'm strong in my Baptist faith and rely on God, my family and friends to see me thru this disease. I am a caretaker of others, so it is my goal to help the best that I can. That is why I have chosen to be a PHC Moderator... in order to help other when the need arises and to also receive the help from them in the process.
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Diane Ramirez |
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Merle Reeseman
I am a wife, mother and grandma to 7 (oh my). I would say we had a typical family life raising children and at times wanting to pull my hair out during their teenage years but we survived. Now we have grandchildren and they are the sunshine in my life. They bring such joy and wisdom to what has become a challenge in my life. My husband is a great support and comfort to me along with the rest of my family. I was diagnosed with PPH toward the end of 2002 and put on Flolan in early January of 2003. As with most of us I had no clue as to what PH is and became very active in research of this disease. I am concerned that the majority of medical professionals, specialist included, don't know what PH is and I am grateful that my PCP has learned how to deal with me and is willing to talk with my PH specialist when needed. I feel it is very important that we become advocates for ourselves and there is a major need for our politicians to become aware of this disease. There are bills out there for research and awareness on PH and we need to write to our Representatives in Congress and our Federal Senators to ask for their support and sponsorship. If you are willing to help with this battle, write to me direct with your zip code plus the 4 digits and I will e-mail you a letter to make copies of; you can have your family, friends and any one at all sign them and then mail to your respective politician(s). I am honored to be part of this PH Central Team and I will do my best to keep us aware of what is going on in the political world of PH.
Merle is the Action Central Editor. |
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Lisa Smith
I am honored to be a PHFriends moderator. I was born with two congenital heart defects - an ASD and VSD - which have been surgically repaired. I was "officially" diagnosed with SPH in 1990, although my medical records have reflected this condition since my first catheterization in 1967. I am a Finance Administrator with a Lutheran Church in Denver. I currently use oxygen 24/7 and take warfarin. I have wonderful husband, a lovely daughter in her 20's, and have been blessed to recently adopt a daughter from China. |
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Nancy Stearns
Nancy, a secondary Language Arts teacher for 33 years,
was diagnosed with secondary PH in 2003. Her secondary
PAH is believed to have been caused by sleep apnea.
Nancy fills her good days with crafting (knitting,
rug-making, quilting/sewing) and volunteering at a
local hospital. She enjoys writing, researching, and
visiting with others. She lives in central Wyoming. |
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Dennis Stenshorn
Dennis is a PHCentral board member, and he is an e-mail list
moderator. Diagnosed in 1998 with PH and ASD, Dennis retired from work
2001. |
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Cheryl Switzer
Cheryl is our volunteer president and chairmen of the board of directors at PHCentral. She started as a diarist, became Feature Editor and Diary section editor in early 2001. Cheryl is a former project manager for a software developer in San Francisco. She retired from her work in 2000 when she was diagnosed with PAH secondary to restrictive lung disease caused by a chest wall deformity. She lives with her husband, one cat and one dog within walking distance of Golden Gate Park in her City by the Bay. |
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Michael A. Szczepkowski
Michael is the past vice president and a co-founder of PHCentral.
He designed and implemented the first pulmonary hypertension
website
in
1997.
He is a past
President and Vice President of Education of the Pulmonary
Hypertension Association (PHA). He was a caregiver for his
wife, Kathy, who
had PH, secondarily to Scleroderma. Michael is a Senior Cognitive
Engineer and Product Manager at CHI
Systems, Inc. where he specializes in knowledge engineering
and user-interface design. He earned a B.S. in Industrial
Engineering
from Lehigh University and a M.S. in Industrial Engineering
with an emphasis in Human Factors Engineering from S.U.N.Y.
at Buffalo. |
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Judy Vucci
Judy is a PHFriends email list moderator. She was diagnosed
about 10 years ago with PH secondary to a genetic disorder
called
Gaucher
Disease. Being on Flolan for
the last
5 years has helped her tremendously. Before retiring early
due to PH, Judy was a paralegal, specializing in Probate, and
taught
Probate Procedure in the paralegal program at two universities.
Judy lives in northern California near San Francisco. Her husband
is deceased, but she has 5 wonderful adult children and 8-1/2
grandchildren (#9 is on the way!) to keep her happy and busy.
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Shirley Wissler
I was diagnosed with PPH 11 years ago and joined PHCentral over 2 years ago. Until that time, I was being monitored by a cardiologist but was not in treatment. After joining PH central, I started treatment with a PH specialist in 2002 and am now doing well. I'm married with two great dogs. I work part-time in Social Work. I love walking my dogs and swimming. I have a BA degree in Psychology and have worked in Social Services for over 15 years. I just love being a part of this group and hope I can help someone else with PH the way that this group has helped me.
Shirley is an email list moderator.
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Karen Jo Whittlesey
Karen Jo is a PHFriends
email list moderator. She lives in Fort Worth Texas, has PH and
has
been
on Flolan
for
about 4 years. Karen Jo is a self-proclaimed "zookeeper",
sharing her home with Ollie,
her eleven-year-old chow/germ. shep mix, and Mattie,
her African Grey parrot who talks. Karen Jo's words of wisdom: Ya'll
need to know this. I learned the hard way.
NEVER, NEVER HUG YOUR PARROT IF YOU'RE WEARING EARRINGS! |
Board of Medical Consultants
- Nancy D. Bridges, M.D., Medical Director, Pulmonary Hypertension
and Heart/Lung and Co-director, Lung Transplantation Program at
The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Sean P. Gaine, M.D., Director, of the Pulmonary Hypertension
Center at the Division
of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical
Institutions
- Traci Housten-Harris R.N., M.S., Clinical Nurse/Program
Manager at the Pulmonary Hypertension Center, Division
of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical
Institutions
- Alice Kahle, Ph.D. is a pediatric psychologist at Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia where she is a member of the interdisciplinary
team that provides clinical services to infants, children, and
young adults followed by the Thoracic Organ Transplant and Pulmonary
Hypertension Program.
- Ronald J. Oudiz, M.D., Director, Liu
Center for Pulmonary Hypertension at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Harold I. Palevsky, M.D., Director of Pulmonary Vascular Disease at the University of Pennsylvania
- Lewis J. Rubin, M.D., Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care at University of California
- San Diego
- Robert Schilz, D.O., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of medicine,
Case Western Reserve University
Medical Director of Lung Transplantation, Pulmonary & Critical
Care
University Hospitals of Cleveland
- Kingman P. Strohl, M.D., University Hospitals of Cleveland,
Deptartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
- Norbert F. Voelkel, M.D., Director, Pulmonary
Hypertension Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences
Center
Our
mission statement:
The
PHCentral Mission:
To be the definitive internet resource for PH-related information
For Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Professionals
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Guiding
newly-diagnosed patients to answers
and support |
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Presenting
PH news from the popular media |
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Offering
a forum for an array of opinions on
PH topics |
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Reviewing
and presenting the most recent medical
articles |
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Connecting
patients, caregivers, physicians, researchers,
and other health professionals through a set of topic-specific
discussion systems |
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Gathering,
critiquing, and linking to potentially
useful internet resources |
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Defining
the roles of organizations within the
international PH Resource Community: groups which offer support,
education, advocacy, treatment development, or research toward
a cure |
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Listening
to Your comments, getting You involved,
responding to Your needs |
Mailing
address:
PHCentral
1309 12th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94122
Contact
us by Email:
Confidentiality:
PHCentral respects your privacy. Below is our written privacy
policy.
PHCentral DOES NOT:
- Harvest your email address from your IP address (for sale
or promotion).
- Store any personal and private information on any user without
clear and obvious permision of that user.
- Use a cookie for targeting promotion or advertising.
- Use a cookie to track new users.
- Sell email addresses of registered users.
- Use email addresses of registered users for promotion or
advertising.
- Share user information with an advertiser or a partner web
site.
- Track keywords you have searched on.
PHCentral DOES:
- Use a cookie as default server operation.
- Occasionally use a cookie to store user preferences (with
permission of the user and without storing any other personal
information).
- Use aggregated user demographic information gathered through
server statistics to attract possible advertisers and partner
web sites. This is necessary for PHCentral to remain a free
and public service.
- Keep track of user IP addresses in collecting User Polls
with the purpose of eliminating duplicate votes. IP data is
never used for any other purpose and it is not shown in aggregate
poll results.
If you have any concerns, or require additional information,
please email info@PHCentral.org
PHCentral advertising policy:
To further our mission of advocating for PAH patients by providing
them with up-to-date medical and treatment information as well
as a forum for the exchange of information and support, we accept
advertising and sponsorship under strict guidelines. We reserve
the right to refuse advertisements for any product or service
that we believe to be incompatible with our mission. The presence
of
an advertisement in the form of a logo or product details on
our site does not imply endorsement of the company or the product
or
service advertised. We ask that our advertisers and sponsors
not make unsubstantiated health claims or suggest that PHCentral
has
endorsed a product or service. Only products and services relating
to the care of PAH patients will be accepted. Advertisement appearing
on PHCentral is not targeted to individual users but may be placed
on the site adjacent to content related to advertiser or sponsor
interest.
Funding
We have gratefully accepted contributions from the community.
PHCentral.org has been developed and maintained through the talents,
skills, contributions and long hours of dedicated service of volunteers.
Click here for a page listing our contributors, including corporate funding.
 ABOUT OUR LOGO AND ITS CREATOR
Michelle Smith, a graphic artist and web designer by training, is the creator of our fabulous logo. Learn more about Michelle Smith
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