Understanding the Patient Perspective featuring Natalie Hayden
This episode of the DNS Podcast features healthcare consumer and patient advocate Natalie Hayden. Formerly a news anchor and reporter, Natalie (Sparacio) Hayden was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in July 2005, two months after graduating with a journalism degree from Marquette University. She didn't allow her disease to rob her of all she had worked towards, so she began her career three months after diagnosis, and ventured 8 hours away from all family and friends to work at an ABC affiliate in Minnesota, while on 22 pills a day. When Natalie left the news desk in 2014 after working at television stations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, she decided it was time to share her patient journey publicly in order to be the voice she desperately needed to hear upon diagnosis, through her career, finding love, and starting a family. Through her award-winning blog, Lights, Camera, Crohn's, she shares stories and experiences about everything from overcoming struggles to celebrating small victories. Since the blog's launch in July 2016, she's shared nearly 400 articles on her site alone. As an IBD mom of three, she's passionate about helping women with IBD navigate everything from the family planning process, to pregnancy, and motherhood. This episode is hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC and was recorded on 5/13/2023.