Episode 347: Professor Mom - an interview with Professor Holly Ahern

Professor Holly Ahern, is an award-winning professor of microbiology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Adirondack. Her personal experience with Lyme disease, specifically her daughter's diagnosis, led her to shift her research and advocacy toward Lyme disease awareness and patient care. In this Tick Boot Camp interview, co-hosted by Lyme disease advocate Tony Felice, you will learn about Professor Ahern's journey and her advocacy work. Professor Holly Ahern is a co-founder and vice-president of Lyme Action Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting policy changes that will help individuals with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. She was also a member of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, a federal advisory committee established by Congress to improve federal coordination of efforts related to tick-borne diseases. In addition, Professor Ahern is a LymeX Next Generation Diagnostics judge, which is a program that aims to accelerate the development of new diagnostic tests for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Finally, she serves on the board of Mothers Against Lyme Disease, a non-profit organization that provides support to families affected by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. In our interview, Professor Ahern shared her personal journey of her daughter's diagnosis with Lyme disease and how it shifted her research and mentorship concentration towards advocating for Lyme disease awareness and patient care. She also talked about her work with Lyme Action Network and other advocacy organizations, including her involvement in legislative initiatives to improve patient access to care. Professor Ahern emphasized the importance of education and prevention in the fight against Lyme disease. She explained that early diagnosis and treatment are critical in order to prevent long-term health problems associated with Lyme disease. She also stressed the need for increased research into tick-borne diseases and the development of more effective diagnostic tests. If you would like to learn more about how a mother, academic, and expert in microbiology has been able to bring a unique perspective to the fight against Lyme disease, then tune in now! PS Tony Felice special guest co-hosted this interview with Rich from Tick Boot Camp!