Event Details

The Lupus Foundation of America’s Lupus & You: Pittsburgh Empowerment Conference is an in-person event that celebrates, inspires, supports, and uplifts lupus warriors, care partners, family, and friends. The event is designed to empower attendees through expert-led sessions that will help them better navigate a life with lupus and make meaningful connections with other attendees that will last far beyond the day’s event. The focus of this program is “Lupus: Treating the Whole Person.” 

There is no fee associated with attending the event.

Additional Speakers and Panelists

Cassandra Dolecki, Pharm.D., MBA, BCACP, TTS 

Cassandra Dolecki holds the position of Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Autoimmunity within rheumatology at AHN. Additionally, she serves as a member of the LFA’s Medical-Scientific Advisory Council.

Chelsea Rourke RD, LDN

Chelsea Rourke, serving as a Clinical Dietitian and Registered Dietitian at the Autoimmunity Institute, has dedicated the past five years to supporting this community. Focused on nutrition, her aim is to educate patients on the importance of whole foods and adopting healthy dietary habits to promote healing and find joy in their diet.

Brian Gildea, BSN, RN-BC

Brian Gildea, a CCST Nurse Navigator, brings 19 years of nursing experience to his role, with the past three years dedicated to serving at the Autoimmune Institute. Employing a team-based methodology, he endeavors to diminish obstacles to comprehensive care, address social determinants of health (SDOH) concerns, foster personal connections to instill patient confidence in their care, and empower them to effectively manage their condition.

Nick Christy, NCC, LPC, CAADC

Nick Christy, Supervisor of Behavioral Health Consultants, has been with Allegheny Health Network since 2021. Initially starting as a Lead BHC in Primary Care, he later transitioned to the Medicine Institute in March 2023 to collaborate with the Chronic Care Specialty Team. This team presently comprises four Behavioral Health Consultants and Social Services Case Workers.

Betsy Blazek-O'Neill, MD

Betsy Blazek-O'Neill is a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has worked extensively int he fields of Employee Health/Wellness and Integrative Medicine. Her primary emphasis during her career has been on promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellness through healthy lifestyle behaviors. She retired from her clinical practice in 2023.

Agenda

• 9:30 -  Check-in, Breakfast & Networking
• 10:00 - Opening Remarks: What’s New with the Lupus Foundation of America
  • Shawn Triggs, Regional Director, Pennsylvania Delaware Valley
  • Mary Crimmings, Interim CEO
• 10:15 - Lupus: The Hope for Our Future
  • Susan Manzi, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Lupus Foundation of America
• 11:00 - Lupus Panel Discussion: Treating the Whole Person
  • Cassandra Dolecki, Pharm.D., MBA, BCACP, TTS
  • Chelsea Rourke RD, LDN
  • Brian Gildea, BSN, RN-BC
  • Nick Christy, NCC, LPC, CAADC
• 11:45 - Lunch, Networking and Exhibits
• 12:30 - How Lifestyle Choices Affect Your Lupus
  • Betsy Blazek-O’Neill, MD
• 1:00 - Breakout Sessions
  • Newly Diagnosed
  • Men with Lupus
  • Caring for Someone with Lupus
  • Warrior Roundtable
• 1:45 - Closing Remarks
  

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We're so grateful to our amazing Corporate Partners! 

If you're interested in learning how your company can contribute to the Lupus & You Empowerment Conference and support the Lupus Foundation of America, reach out to us today. There are plenty of ways to join in and make a difference!

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