Introducing Dr. Kim Carroll, the new PAN Support Network Moderator
June 2013:
After 13 years as moderator of the PAN Support Network (PSN) Forum, Ed Becker is stepping down to refocus on other critical priorities for the organization in his continuing role as its executive director. His appointment to the VF Board of Directors and his busy work as a web content writer led to the decision. The new forum moderator is Dr. Kim Carroll.
“I’m currently involved in other aspects of the PSN,” said Becker. “I will be working on our partnership with the VF, helping to boost recruitment for clinical trials, and some other key projects. I’ll still be contributing to the forum discussions, but in a secondary role. I’m very pleased to have Dr. Kim Carroll take over as the new moderator.”
Both Becker and Carroll have a unique link for working with the Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) community. The passing of a parent due to vasculitis prompted each them to become involved.
In 1999, a year after his mother, Florence, passed away from PAN, Becker created the patient advocacy organization whose mission is to help educate/support PAN patients. The passing of Carroll’s father, Edward, in 2010 prompted her to change her original plans to study neurology and instead pursue a career in rheumatology. She had just started her residency in Internal Medicine/Neurology when her father was diagnosed with PAN.
“As soon as he was diagnosed, I remember going home and learning/relearning as much as possible that night,” Carroll recalls. “I had only a peripheral knowledge of vasculitis at that time since it wasn’t covered very deeply in medical school. Now I want to learn everything about vasculitis to better understand for myself and my family.”
Carroll earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. In October 2012, Carroll was accepted into the Rheumatology Fellowship in Milwaukee. She starts her general two-year rheumatology training in July.
At last year’s Vasculitis Symposium in Atlanta, Carroll was interviewed by Becker for the Extraordinary Stories video project. When he began looking for a new moderator, he remembered her story.
“I thought it was quite interesting that someone else who lost a parent to vasculitis would take over as the group’s forum moderator,” said Becker. “It will be a gradual transition for Dr. Kim, but I think it’s going to be a hugely rewarding experience for her. Interacting with the patients and researchers should complement her training as a rheumatologist.”
Carroll agrees. “I’m very honored and excited to have this opportunity to lead this forum. Having gone through the experience with my father I know how vasculitis affects the patient and caregivers. My hope is that I will gain a deeper insight and appreciation from the patient’s perspective from the PAN Network forum as I pursue my career in rheumatology.”
Click here to view Carroll’s online video.
