2021 Guest Speakers
August 26, 2021 Monthly Support Meeting - Evening
The Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City is pleased to announce our August 26 EVENING guest speaker, Deborah Hudman, MS. Deborah is the Senior Research Associate in the Microbiology & Immunology Department at ATSU, she is interested in conducting interdisciplinary research ranging from field and laboratory-based studies in eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases. Deborah has an MS degree in Wildlife Management with an emphasis on Wildlife Diseases from Humboldt State University. She began tick research in Missouri in 2014. Please join our August 26th Zoom Support Group Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Deborah will be talking to us about the Statewide Survey of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens. She will give you a chance to interact with Q&A. To find additional information about the study please visit the MDC website, and published story: https://bit.ly/3zYyPv0.
June 24, 2021 Monthly Support Meeting - Evening
The Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City is pleased to announce our June 24 EVENING guest speaker, Julie Parker, LPC, MHSP, Counseling Associates LLC. Julie owns her practice and is a counselor with over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families. Julie works with patients of all ages, is a Certified Anger Management Specialist (CAMS-II), and has had extensive training in helping those with chronic conditions and illnesses. Please join our June 24th Zoom Support Group Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Julie will be talking to us about mental health and Lyme Disease. She will give you a chance to interact with Q&A. Julie understands what you're going through. Not only is she Lyme Literate (trained to help those with Lyme and other chronic illnesses), but she and family members have Lyme disease and personally know the trials of diagnosis and treatment. She is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society ("ILADS"), and has had further training regarding Lyme, co-infections, PANDAS, and PANS. If you don't know what all that means or if you already know but want to learn more, her website provides links to information and groups you may find helpful (https://www.counselingassociatesllc.com/lyme-disease).
February 25, 2021 Monthly Support Meeting - Evening
The Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City is excited to announce that Pat Smith, President of the all-volunteer, national non-profit Lyme Disease Association (LDA) will be joining our February 25th Zoom Support Group Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Pat is a Lyme pioneer and has led the LDA for 23 years. Her bio is extensive, but here are some highlights of her distinguished career:
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She is a 2nd term public member of the HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group in Washington, DC, where she co-chairs the “Training & Education, Patient Access to Care” Subcommittee and is a member of the Inventory Subcommittee.
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During her LDA presidency, Ms. Smith has led the effort to raise funds for researchers nationally, with 119 research grants awarded ─ research acknowledged in 53 scientific journals.
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She has organized 20 continuing medical education (CME) accredited Lyme scientific conferences for doctors and researchers with international faculty, held in different areas of the US, most jointly sponsored by Columbia University, the 20th in Philadelphia in September 2019.
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She has spoken at many conferences on Lyme including those presented by the University of New Haven (CT), the California Lyme Disease Association (now LymeDisease.org), Midcoast Maine Lyme Education and Support, Colorado Tick-Borne Awareness Association, Lyme Connections, Lyme Society, Inc., and International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society, ILADS. She has been a speaker at hundreds of public, school, business, & government events.
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Ms. Smith led the LDA in its effort with a partner organization, to endow the Columbia Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center in New York, which opened in 2007.
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She developed the ABCs of Lyme Disease pamphlet for parents and educators (updated in 2019) and co-authored an article in it, and she also developed the LymeR Primer brochure now featuring 20 tick-borne diseases, the Tick Mark bookmark, and helped design LDA Tick Awareness cards. More than 2.5 million education items have been distributed.
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Ms. Smith has testified for and secured passage of state and federal bills for Lyme research and physician’s right to treat.
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She has been invited to state capitals in CT, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, to present oral testimony and education on Lyme and has provided written testimony in many others.
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In 2014, she helped develop language for a federal bill on Lyme and led the nationwide effort which successfully passed the bill through the House.
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In 2013, she testified before the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee on HR 610 to establish a federal Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.
Chosen Jackson NJ’s Chamber of Commerce 2008 Woman of the Year, she has also received commendation from the NJ legislature, a Special Congressional Recognition certificate from RI Cong. Langevin, and had a flag flown over the US Capitol by request of NJ Cong. Chris Smith in honor of her Lyme work.