The Bridge: Your Health Your Voice

The Vision and Impact of the PATIENTS Professors Academy

We’re excited to celebrate Year Five of the PATIENTS Professors Academy! In this episode of The Bridge, host ParisBarnes sits down with Joe Howarth, Lead Training Specialist and architect of the PATIENTS Professors Academy, to discuss the evolution of the program and the impact it continues to make. The conversation also features Melinda Aldridge, a PATIENTS Professors Academy Class of 2025 graduate and incoming 2026 Seminar Leader. Melissa shares how PPA has shaped her journey in health research and prepared her to step into leadership and partnershiproles within patient‑centered research. ·  Learn more about the PATIENTS Professors Academy by visiting: https://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/programs/the-patients-program/patients-academy/ ·  Connect with Melissa Aldridge on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-aldridge-126019b/ Spotify currently does not support transcript uploads for this podcast; to view an ADA‑compliant version of this episode and access the full transcript, please visit our YouTube channel via the link in the description. https://youtu.be/4PEaZv8zxQI   Visithttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated onboth past and upcoming episodes. To watch this episode and more, visit our YouTube channel ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_] Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel [https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel] https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram [https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram]

Building Learning Spaces Where Students Thrive

In this episode of The Bridge, host Paris Barnes is joined by John Medeiros, his mother, and advocate Michelle Medeiros, and Steve Buettner of the Baltimore Lab School for a powerfulconversation about inclusive excellence, disability justice, and belonging in education. This episode is a moving reminder that inclusive excellence is not one‑size‑fits‑all, and that when students are truly seen, supported, and respected, they thrive. Visithttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated on both past and upcoming episodes. To watch this episode and more, visit ourYouTube channel ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_] Subscribe to ourYouTube Channel https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel [https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel] https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram [https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram] Spotify currently does not support transcript uploads for this podcast; to view an ADA‑compliant version of this episode and access the full transcript, please visit our YouTube channel via the link in the description. https://youtu.be/81_fZMwESnU

From Survival to Advocacy

In this episode of The Bridge, host Paris Barnestalks with patient advocate Jeff Wells about resilience, recovery, and the power of lived experience. After surviving a life‑altering stroke, Jeff found purpose in advocacy—using his voice to improve accessibility, health literacy, and inclusion in research and care. From influencing NIH consent practices tocreating meaningful moments for patients through simple accommodations, Jeff reminds us that advocacy isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being better. Spotify currently does not support transcript uploads for ths podcast; to view an ADA‑compliant version of this episode and access the full transcript, please visit our YouTube channel via the link in thedescription. https://youtu.be/SKNbcnz0sLY [https://youtu.be/SKNbcnz0sLY]   Visithttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated on both past and upcoming episodes. To watch this episode and more, visit ourYouTube channel ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_] Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel [https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel] https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram [https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram]

Nothing About Us Without Us

In this episode of The Bridge, host Paris Barnes sits down with Bernard and Denise Coley—patient advocates, community builders, and leaders in health equity—for a powerful conversation on advocacy, storytelling, and justice inhealthcare. Together, they unpack what it means to be under‑engaged, why patient‑led solutions matter, and howbuilding culturally responsive community spaces can transform outcomes for Black communities affected by Parkinson’s disease. Insightful, personal, and inspiring, this episode centers on the voices that must be heard to create real change. Visit https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated on both past and upcoming episodes. To watch this episode and more, visit ourYouTube channel ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_] Subscribe to ourYouTube Channel https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel [https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel] https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram Read the full transcript here: https://bit.ly/4bAlP35

The Evolution of Patrick Gee: Patient Advocate, Leader, Change-maker

In this episode of The Bridge Podcast, host Paris Barnessits down with Patrick Gee—a graduate and contributor to the PATIENTS Professors Academy, a passionate advocate within the PATIENTS Program, and a dedicated member of the program’s steering committee. Patrick shares his inspiringjourney of personal growth, justice-driven advocacy, and the deep community engagement that continues to shape his work and impact. Visithttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated on both past and upcoming episodes. To watch this episode and more, visit ourYouTube channel ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5TFMW2PWhKdIEaP2F9xN213vrkTrv9_] Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel [https://bit.ly/SubscribetoourYouTubeChannel] https://linktr.ee/thepatientsprogram Transcript https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/60ivo1or4o9u5cmp6fbmf/The-Evolution-of-Patrick-Gee.txt?rlkey=xj180rs0wxbv6fpx2nqzkpu8l&st=8fkjxlc7&dl=0