After a Stroke, Dana Rivera Had to Relearn to Walk; She Now Leads Recovery Groups
June 22, 2020
Dana Rivera, Co-Founder of ABI Peer Mentor Group to Speak at WOASN Event
November 9, 2021
Dana recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI).
Serving as one of four patient representatives, Dana joined over a dozen top-flight physicians and medical researchers in a critical information gathering session to help develop public policy for Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure treatment protocols.
Of course, this is an issue near and dear to Dana’s heart — literally! — As she suffered a stroke resulting from an undiagnosed hole in her heart. Dana’s contribution to this panel was the culmination of a paid position with SCAI, in which Dana has lent her firsthand experience as a stroke survivor and former PFO closure patient to help develop clinical guidelines for future PFO treatment plans.
Patients are the most important stakeholders in the development of PFO closure guidelines. And as a former PFO closure patient herself, Dana’s perspective (along with those of her fellow survivors) ranks among the essential contributions to this process.
Dana is beyond proud of her work with SCAI and extremely hopeful the collective efforts of all involved will benefit future PFO closure patients.
