Patient To Purpose

About Patient To Purpose

The phrase “From Patient to Purpose” or “Patient to Purpose” often describes a transformative journey where an individual’s experience with illness, injury, or a health crisis leads them to discover a new, meaningful mission or purpose in life. This concept is particularly relevant in healthcare and personal development, highlighting several key themes: Transformation through Adversity: A difficult or painful health experience becomes a catalyst for personal growth and a shift in life direction. Finding Meaning in Suffering: Individuals use their personal struggles to inform and drive a new mission, often focused on helping others facing similar challenges. Advocacy and Mission: The purpose frequently involves advocacy, research, coaching, or creating support systems for a specific patient population, effectively turning a personal crisis into a public mission. On from Patient to Purpose we will explore the idea is that a person’s health journey can be the source of their most impactful life work.

Publisher

Erica Bersin, BCPA & Stefan Walzer, Ph.D.

Category

business · business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Dec 2025

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Women's Health Isn't a Moment, It's a Movement

   Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and to submit ideas If you appreciate what you hear, please smash those like and follow buttons, subscribe to the show on your favorite listening app, and feel free to share. In this episode of Patient to Purpose Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) welcome Michaela Bedard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelabedard/), Global Head of Advocacy at Organon, for a conversation about women’s health, advocacy, innovation, and the power of culture change. The conversation tackles some of healthcare’s biggest challenges: ensuring women are represented in clinical research, addressing persistent health inequities, improving access to care, combating misinformation, and empowering the next generation to become advocates for themselves and others. Michaela reminds us that progress doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when we keep talking, keep pushing, and refuse to leave lived experience out of the conversation. Resources: Society for Women’s Health Research (https://swhr.org/) Women’s Health Advocates (https://womenshealthadvocates.org/) United Nations Population Fund (https://www.unfpa.org/) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (https://www.pcori.org/) Power To Decide (https://powertodecide.org/Access-Toolkit) #PatientToPurposePodcast #WomensHealth #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareInnovation #HealthEquity

2. 

   25 Sept 2026

   The Rise of Fascism: Is Healthcare Political?

   Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and to submit ideas If you appreciate what you hear, please smash those like and follow buttons, subscribe to the show on your favorite listening app, and feel free to share. What happens to healthcare when political shifts reshape how countries fund, deliver, and access care? In this episode of Patient to Purpose (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/), Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) discuss recent elections and political trends in Germany and consider what they could mean for healthcare. From workforce and immigration to hospital funding, access to care, and the potential expansion of privatization. We also compare and contracts with the U.S. and why healthcare policy is ultimately inseparable from the communities it serves. A conversation about elections, healthcare systems, and what happens when political change reaches the public. Resource: Voting in Germany (https://www.iamexpat.de/lifestyle/about-germany/german-elections-voting-rights-expats) #PatientToPurpose #Healthcare #HealthPolicy #HealthcareAccess #PatientAdvocacy #Vote

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   More That a Seat at the Table: Patients as Co-designers of Care

   Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and to submit ideas If you appreciate what you hear, please smash those like and follow buttons, subscribe to the show on your favorite listening app, and feel free to share. In this episode Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) welcome Jennifer Cain Birkmose (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cain-birkmose-ab05a6/), a global healthcare leader whose career spans patient advocacy, rare disease, pharmaceutical development, health systems design, and community-based care. Together, we explore what it truly means to put patients at the center of healthcare, and why simply saying “patient-centric” isn’t enough. Jennifer shares how ethnographic research and deep patient engagement can transform clinical trial design, improve access to medicines, and lead to better health outcomes. The conversation dives into the persistent challenges facing healthcare today: delayed diagnoses, barriers to access, siloed decision-making, and the disconnect between what patient’s need and what healthcare systems often deliver. The trio examines how incentives shape healthcare, why patient voices must be embedded at every critical decision point, and how emerging technologies like AI can either perpetuate existing biases or help create more equitable solutions. From rare disease innovation to women’s health, payer perspectives, and the enduring power of grassroots advocacy, this episode is a compelling reminder that meaningful change begins when patients are not merely consulted, but become true partners in designing the future of healthcare. #PatientToPurpose #PatientCenteredCare #HealthcareInnovation #PatientAdvocacy #RareDiseaseAdvocacy

4. 

   2 Sept 2026

   No Decisions for Us Without Us: Giving Patient Innovators a Seat at the Table

   Is this episode we chat with Carlota Santos (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlota-de-macedo-santos/) and Gemma Tria (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-tria-69116926a/) from Patient Innovation (https://patient-innovation.com/). In this chat we discuss a powerful shift in healthcare: seeing patients and care partners not just as recipients of care, but as innovators, problem solvers, and drivers of change. Carlota and Gemma share how Patient Innovation recognizes the unique expertise that comes from lived experience, and how patients around the world are creating solutions to improve quality of life, from practical tools to groundbreaking technologies. The conversation explores why healthcare systems must move beyond simply “including” patients and instead partner with them from the very beginning of the innovation process. From rare disease communities to digital health solutions like Be My Eyes (https://www.bemyeyes.com/), this episode highlights how patient-led ideas can reshape healthcare when the right support, collaboration, and opportunities exist. And if you haven’t already listened to episode 12 with Gal Hostnik, please do. Gal is a patient innovator who has participated in the Patient Innovation boot camp and he’s doing amazing things for people on dialysis. Resources: Patient Innovation platform (https://patient-innovation.com/) Unlocking Innovation in Healthcare: The Case of the Patient Innovation Platform (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00081256221101657?casa_token=Marul6wp4IsAAAAA%3ALHno0GxpoMnnc6EfbIEb3aMNYRQ7mWLc-BUc48j_DmSwGBoQnlSbtNoxCCiOb9qD2e5F2oijaVoeFl8) Patient innovation under rare diseases and chronic needs (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1750-1172-9-S1-O33) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientInnovation #PatientsAsPartners #LivedExperienceMatters #HealthcareInnovation #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

5. 

   19 Aug 2026

   From Dialysis to Disruption: The Power of Patient-Led Innovation

   What happens when a patient becomes an innovator? In this inspiring episode Erica and Stefan welcome Gal Hostnik (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gal-hostnik/), entrepreneur and dialysis patient advocate who turned a personal challenge into a life-changing medical device. Gal shares his journey from living with kidney disease to developing a personalized IV fistula protector, building a patient-led business, strengthening kidney patient organizations across Europe, and creating travel opportunities that empower people on dialysis to explore the world with confidence. This conversation highlights the power of lived experience, patient innovation, and community to improve healthcare. Resources: Fistula Project (https://www.fistulaprotect.com/) Institute for Patient Innovation (https://patient-innovation.lovable.app/) Dialysis Adventures https://www.dialysisadventures.com/ (https://www.dialysisadventures.com/) https://www.youtube.com/@dialysisadventures (https://www.youtube.com/@dialysisadventures) https://www.facebook.com/groups/dialysisadventures (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dialysisadventures) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #PatientInnovation #KidneyHealth #Dialysis #PatientAdvocacy

6. 

   5 Aug 2026

   From COVID to Hantavirus: Are We Ready for the Next Outbreak?

   In this episode Erica and Stefan chat about separating fact from fear, exploring what emerging viruses really mean for people, healthcare systems, and public health. We discuss why science evolves, how misinformation shapes public perception, the lasting impact of COVID, and why access to vaccines and healthcare remains critical. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on staying informed, not alarmed. in a rapidly changing health landscape. Resources: World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1) University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/) Johns Hopkins Schoolf of Public Health (https://publichealth.jhu.edu/) Gavi (https://www.gavi.org/) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #PublicHealth #Healthcare #Vaccines #HealthPodcast

7. 

   22 Jul 2026

   From Diagnosis to Purpose: On Advocacy, Access, & Being Heard

   In this episode of Patient to Purpose, we speak with Dee Burrell, a 19-year breast cancer survivor, mentor, and advocate, about turning diagnosis into purpose. Dee shares the emotional reality of hearing “you have cancer,” the importance of compassionate care teams, and why patients deserve to be heard, supported, and treated as more than a diagnosis. The conversation also explores healthcare access, financial toxicity, survivorship, and the power of storytelling in advocacy. Dee offers practical advice for patients and caregivers alike: bring support to appointments, ask questions, trust your instincts, and never underestimate the value of community. This is an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, empathy, and using lived experience to help others navigate their own healthcare journeys. Resources: NMQF Home | Data to Action to Advance Health Equity - National Minority Quality Forum (https://nmqf.org/) Brushes with Cancer (https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes-with-cancer) Cancer | Support Groups, Counseling, Education & Financial Assistance (https://www.cancercare.org/) Home | Families USA (https://familiesusa.org/) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #PatientAdvocacy #LivedExperience #BreastCancerAwareness #Survivorship

8. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Engage & Access: A Digital Health Conversation

   In this episode we talk to digital health strategist Craig DeLarge, MPH (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadelarge/) about AI, ethics, and mental health. Drawing on decades in the life sciences and mental health advocacy, Craig explores the promises of digital technologies, from AI companionship and mental health chatbots, to the urgent need for literacy, regulation, and guardrails. The episode connects individual well-being with community resilience, highlighting how local action, ethnical leadership, and human connection can help protect mental health in an increasingly digital, and uncertain, world. Resources: Center for Humane Tech AI Briefings (https://us14.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=3d7bd9c46b50614ffd2c11c51&id=a75e0de682) StressTech Insights Newsletter (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/stresstech-insights-7155608145388589056) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions

9. 

   17 Jun 2026

   From Checkbox to Change: Making Patient Voices Count

   Healthcare is the only place where the consumer is not in the middle of the decision-making. On the new episode of Patient to Purpose, we’re joined by Sabrina Hanna, b.sc (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-hanna-advocacy/) (@CancerCollab) to talk about the reality of navigating the healthcare system as a patient advocate. From the “checkbox” culture of medical meetings to the wait lists for drug listings. Coverage ≠ Access Patient experience IS data We need a 21st not 20th century lens Resources: The Cancer Collaborative (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cancercolab/?viewAsMember=true) Rethinking how we define value in healthcare (https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1XHfWByANkKofUX9ay22I3yoEbDPw2hGvexsbiQzRuRUN0dFOE1HTEdRR1RLOEY0MTFaN0ZVSjYzOS4u&route=shorturl) Rethinking Health Technology Assessments (https://www.cancercolab.ca/_files/ugd/24863f_040d285cc7444028bf9ae0f271e85d73.pdf) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #HTA #PatientAdvocacy #LivedExperience

10. 

    3 Jun 2026

    Science Hasn't Changed Politics Has: When Science Meets Emotion

    In this episode of Patient to Purpose, Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) dive into the vaccine debate, misinformation, and the tension between science, politics, and public opinion. From the history of immunization to the lessons of COVID-19, they unpack why public health works best when it’s trusted, and what happens when evidence gets drowned out by emotion, algorithms, and ideology. A candid conversation about prevention, access to care, and the collective responsibility behind better health outcomes. Resources: Smallpox vaccine U.S. (https://historyofvaccines.org/blog/washingtons-war-against-smallpox-revolutionary-inoculation-campaign/) History of mRNA (https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/the-long-history-of-mrna-vaccines) About the 1918 flu (https://www.paho.org/en/who-we-are/history-paho/purple-death-great-flu-1918) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #HealthPolicy #TrustScience #VaccinesWork #HealthcareForAll

11. 

    20 May 2026

    Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference

    In this episode we speak with Tim Cage (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-cage-abb00a9/) and John Capecci (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncapecci/) who have been partners for 20 years in Living Proof Advocacy. Tim & John unpack the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts involved in deciding to go public with a lived health experience, especially in the context of invisible illness and stigma. The discussion also highlights cultural differences in advocacy across countries, the importance of patient-centric approaches in healthcare and pharma, and how individual stories bring clinical data and outcomes to life. What’s your why? Six words to articulate why advocacy is for you. Resources: Living Proof Advocacy (https://www.livingproofadvocacy.com/online-course) (Patient to Purpose listeners receive 10% off use code P2P10) Writing to Change the World (https://marypipher.com/writing-to-change-the-world/) by Mary Pipher Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #LivingProofAdvocacy #PatientAdvocacy #LivedExperience #StoryTellingForChange

12. 

    6 May 2026

    In the U.S. Health Insurance Is A Privilege

    In this episode Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) break down the “mind-boggling” complexities of the U.S. health insurance system, where employer-sponsored plans often “handcuff” people to their jobs. We explore the frustrations of navigating “in-network” providers, the hurdles of prior authorization, and the common misconceptions regarding Medicare premiums and income. Drawing from her own experiences after 30 years of working in healthcare, 17 of those living with multiple sclerosis, and being a board-certified patient advocate, Erica emphasizes the importance of staying informed and using grassroots involvement to demand a system that works with patients, rather than just for them. Resources: Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/) American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoqxX4GYMQ3wXCp7ys8uIoI2JIigDVFMI7T5mMlpZrxJMSn85fWk) American Medical Association (https://www.ama-assn.org/) Dr. Jessica Knurick (https://www.jessicaknurick.com/) Dr. Paul Offit (https://www.paul-offit.com/) Defend Public Health (https://www.defendpublichealth.org/) Your (or a nearby) state / city department of health and / or healthcare provider Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions #MultipleSclerosis #MS #HealthInsurance #Patients

13. 

    22 Apr 2026

    Trust, Access & The Future of Patient Advocacy

    In this episode Erica & Stefan talk to Lauren Walrath (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-walrath-extlaffairs/) about the Japanese concept of Wa (和) in patient access and care. Wa focuses on group harmony over individual expression, maintaining smooth relationships, consensus-based decision-making, emphasis on social order, and mutual obligation. Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions

14. 

    8 Apr 2026

    Herd Immunity and the Collective: Why Your Choice Matters

    In this episode of Patient to Purpose, Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) tackle the alarming resurgence of measles and the declining vaccination rates threatening public health in the U.S., UK, and beyond. We explore how healthcare is inherently political and why wealthy nations are beginning to lose our long-held “measles elimination” status. Beyond the political debate, we discuss the severe, life-altering impacts of the disease, from deafness to blindness, and why collective herd immunity remains our strongest defense. Post production edit: California, New York, and other states have joined the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network (GOARN) Resources: American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org/en/) Pan American Health Organization (https://www.paho.org/en) American Medical Association (https://www.ama-assn.org/) World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/) European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/search-all-eu-institutions-and-bodies/european-centre-disease-prevention-and-control-ecdc_en) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientToPurpose #PublicHealth #Measles #VaccinesCauseAdults #HealthPolicy #VaccineAwareness #GlobalHealth

15. 

    18 Mar 2026

    Access, Equity, & Engagement: Designing Care Around Patients

    On this episode Erica (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) & Stefan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) hear from access and engagement expert Keri McDonough, MA (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerimcdonough/) to unpack what “access” really means beyond cost. Drawing on powerful patient stories and more than 20 years of experience, Keri explores the hidden barriers to clinical trials, the importance of peer connection, and why embedding patient insights across the healthcare lifecycle is essential. The conversation highlights how sustained relationships, better communication, and truly patient-centered design can transform healthcare from the inside out. Resources: Equitable Access to Clinical Trials Project (https://www.eactproject.org/) National Health Council: Capturing & Including the Patient Voice (https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/issue/patient-engagement/) Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center Health Literacy in Clinical Research Glossary (https://mrctcenter.org/glossary/) Patient Focused Medicines Development (https://patientfocusedmedicine.org/) Society for Public Health Information-Health Literacy (https://www.sophe.org/focus-areas/health-literacy/) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and to submit ideas #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions

16. 

    22 Dec 2025

    The Quest for Treatment: Facing the Guard Dogs of MS Care

    In our premiere episode, hosts Stefan Walzer, Ph.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanwalzer/) and Erica Bersin, BCPA (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabersin/) dive into the frustrating, confusing, and often invisible barriers patients face when trying to access the treatments they need. Erica shares her personal journey with multiple sclerosis, from being diagnosed in Switzerland to managing care in the U.S. system, and reveals how drastically access can differ depending on where you live. National MS Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/newly-diagnosed?utm_source=sc&utm_medium=semg&utm_campaign=drefy26_ce_nd_pmax&referrer=sc-drefy26-ce-nd-pmax-semg&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22811113189&gbraid=0AAAABAcJGHSkmc2Do2A0lF6jWYqmq89UZ&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiebIBhDmARIsAE8PGNKUpq3gOb8TNy6t2ZpG6MLffrAtrNEMSOq_lEGqR9iUqRC8Z6mOwf0aAsYvEALw_wcB) (U.S.) MS Views & News (https://msviewsandnews.org/) (U.S.) European Multiple Sclerosis Program (https://emsp.org/) (Europe) Learn more about our show (https://erohealthcommunications.com/patient-to-purpose/) and submit ideas #PatientEngagement #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalAdvocacy #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareDecisions

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Contact Patient To Purpose

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.