Judy

Judy from Ohio has lived with osteoarthritis since age 17 and rheumatoid arthritis since age 25, nearly 46 years ago. After retiring 12 years ago, she became an active volunteer patient advocate through the 50-State Network, drawing on nearly five decades of experience navigating treatments, medications, surgeries, and insurance challenges.
Her advocacy has expanded to include multiple conditions she’s developed over time, including joint replacements, essential tremor, spinal stenosis, Sjögren’s, asthma, atrial fibrillation, lung cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords.
Judy’s advocacy achievements include playing a key role in Ohio’s step therapy reform in 2018 by sharing her story at a state capitol press conference. She regularly speaks with legislators at all levels, noting that “Legislators are always warm and welcoming when patients like us tell our stories.”

She currently serves on multiple advisory councils, including the Patient Inclusion Council, Penn State College of Medicine’s Arthritis Advisory Council, and Ohio State University’s Patient Advisory Council. Judy received the 50 State Network’s “Beacon of Better Health” award.

Why I Advocate:

Having lived with this disease for so many years, and learning so much about testing, treatments, medications, surgeries, insurance problems, and more, I realized that I needed to ‘pay it forward’ as a volunteer patient advocate. Each challenge I’ve had has deepened my understanding of what patients go through and strengthened my resolve to make the system better for those who come after me. For me, advocacy is about connection and hope. I believe strongly in my motto: “We are all in this together, and together we are stronger.” By sharing my story and working alongside others, I can help create a future where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered. That’s why I advocate.