Administration and Operations Update
Welcoming Mike and Nyla to Team Alliance!
by Heidi Lane
Please join us in welcoming two fantastic new team members: Mike Popa, our new Payer Analyst who joined in April, and Nyla Page, our new Administrative Assistant, who joined Team Alliance in May.
Mike has a background in clinical quality improvement, operations, and strategic planning at the Ohio State University Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital. He also spent several years in public health working at the Ohio Department of Medicaid and later the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as their Budget Chief. Prior to joining the Alliance, Mike spent some time as a Senior Health Care Consultant for state Medicaid programs.
Nyla grew up in New Hampshire before relocating to Florida in search of warmer weather and new opportunities. She earned her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, blending her interest in organizational operations with a passion for mission‑driven work. Her background includes experience in healthcare as a vision therapist, as well as supporting administrative operations across multiple medical practices—roles that strengthened her organizational skills, adaptability, and patient‑centered approach. Nyla enjoys spending time outdoors, caring for her rescue dogs, and teaching dance.
We’re excited to welcome both Mike and Nyla to the team and look forward to the expertise and energy they bring to Team Alliance.
2026 Fall Members Meeting & Hill Day: Registration Now Open!
by Admin & Ops
Registration is now open for the 2026 Fall Members Meeting and Hill Day, taking place this September — just weeks before the midterm elections. With Congress in full election‑year mode, this is a crucial moment to reinforce our message with current Members and their staff. Even though no newly elected Members will be seated until January, offices are actively shaping priorities and responding to constituent concerns during this high‑attention period.
Why We’re Going to Capitol Hill
Election years bring shifting legislative priorities and staff transitions. That makes it especially important for us to meet with Congressional offices to:
- Re‑educate policymakers about bleeding disorders
- Highlight the essential role of Hemophilia Treatment Centers
- Emphasize the importance of the 340B Program in sustaining comprehensive care
Who Can Participate
We encourage all Alliance members to participate in Hill Day. Your expertise and experience are invaluable in helping Congressional offices understand the real‑world impact of federal policy decisions. We also invite each center to bring a patient advocate.
Patient Travel Support
The Hemophilia Alliance will cover airfare, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation in Washington, DC for participating patients. If you have a patient who is interested in attending, please have them contact Theresa Parker at theresa@hemoalliance.org.
Educating vs. Lobbying: What You Need to Know
As you prepare for your Hill meetings, it’s important to understand the distinction between education and lobbying:
- Educating means sharing information about HTCs, hemophilia basics, and the importance of the 340B Program.
- Lobbying means asking for a specific action, such as co‑sponsoring a bill or signing a letter.
HTCs may engage in lobbying — as long as grant funds or program income are not used to pay for the time spent lobbying.
Your Voice Matters — Especially Right Before Elections
Meeting with Congress just before the midterms gives our community a unique opportunity to ensure that policymakers hear directly from the clinicians, administrators, and patients who understand these issues best. By showing up together, we strengthen our collective voice and help protect the comprehensive care model that has served patients for decades.
Register for the Fall Member Meeting and Hill Day by logging into the member portal and navigate to the event page.
Nurses Report Strong Practice Impact and High Value from the 2026 Hemophilia Alliance CE Meeting
by Stephanie Sibrel, Nurse Navigator – Cascade Hemophilia Consortium and Heidi Lane
Hemophilia Alliance was pleased to welcome 51 member nurses from across the nation to the 3rd Annual Hemophilia Alliance Nurse CE Meeting, May 3-5, 2026, at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting provided continuing education on topics relevant to national grant goals, von Willebrand disease, multi-disciplinary collaboration, peri-partum and neonatal care in bleeding disorders, platelet disorders, movement, and managing overload.
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Team Alliance and the Planning Committee’s goals for the Nurses CE Conference were to support practice and education for nurses who care for bleeding disorder patients at member Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs), while not duplicating or replacing other nationally esteemed HTC nurse training programs. The hope is that attendees grow in their role, not only through the continuing education component, but also by having the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a network of equally enthusiastic HTC nursing colleagues who provide support, encouragement, and mentorship.
Results from the meeting evaluation survey suggest those goals were met, with respondents reporting a renewed sense of confidence and leadership. Nurses reported feeling better prepared to manage bleeding disorders, more aware of how HTC systems function, and more inspired to continue their professional development. The high‑quality speakers, relevant topics, and supportive environment for open discussion all contributed to a rich learning experience. Participants highlighted improvements in:
- Understanding clinical scenarios and treatment planning
- Awareness of newer therapies and product options
- Approaches to patient education and surgical preparation
- Strategies for navigating insurance complexities and 340B program considerations
Participants expressed deep gratitude to Genentech for co‑sponsoring the event, and to the planning committee, speakers, and Team Alliance for creating a successful program of professional development and networking.
Next year’s meeting will take place May 2-4, 2027, location TBD. Registration will open early in 2027 and is limited to Hemophilia Alliance Member HTC staff. For questions, please contact Theresa Parker at theresa@hemoalliance.org.
PTs Unite in Chicago for the 3rd Annual Hemophilia Alliance CE Conference
by Jennifer Newman, PT MSPT – UNC Hemophilia Treatment Center
Forty-eight physical therapists representing all regions traveled to Chicago, May 6–8, 2026, for the 3rd annual Hemophilia Alliance PT Continuing Education Meeting. This conference focuses on networking and fostering relationships across the PT community while providing education and CEUs.
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Educational topics included musculoskeletal triage, muscle bleeds and movement system syndromes, mentorship and mentee opportunities, professional development planning, 340B program overview, national resources, study design for clinical trials, and a hot topic discussion. Education was delivered through lectures, small group breakouts, and engaging discussions. Attendees, with backgrounds ranging from novice to expert, had the opportunity to ask questions, think critically, and consider opportunities for growth in their current roles. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and attendees left feeling motivated and ready to apply what they learned in their respective clinics.
We extend our sincere thanks to our meeting co-sponsor, Genentech, for supporting this opportunity for physical therapists to network and learn about the latest research findings. A big thank you, too, to the planning committee, session speakers, and the Hemophilia Alliance for creating a successful few days of professional development and networking.
Next year’s meeting will take place May 5–7, 2027, location TBD. Registration will open early in 2027 and is limited to Hemophilia Alliance Member HTC staff. For questions, please contact Theresa Parker at theresa@hemoalliance.org.
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Also In This Issue…
Jeff Weights In
Alliance Board Update
- Welcome New Board Member!
Advocacy and Legal Update
- CMS Releases Rule on Medicaid Work Requirements
- House Appropriations Bill Maintains Funding for Hemophilia Programs
- The Administration Proposes Sweeping Revisions to Rules on Federal Grant Administration
Member and Community Relations Update
- Working with Self-funded Plans: Opportunities and Challenges in 2026
Notes From The Community
- The Hemophilia Alliance Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners
- Impact Grants 2026: Empowering Change, Inspiring Solutions!
- 340B Grantee Spring Conference 2026