Mr. Wong, please introduce yourself.

I’m the president and CEO of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in the United States.

What is the purpose of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association?

The mission of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association is to improve the lives of those affected by Pulmonary Hypertension. We do this through support to patients both of new diagnosis and long term survivors, we do it through patient education, we do it through medical education as well as making investments in medical research to hopefully one day find a cure.

What is the World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension and how do you consider the interaction with the patient associations?

The Symposium is an important gathering of all the PH thought leaders around the world. It happens every five years and it helps set the direction for the next five years on the course of Pulmonary Hypertension, whether it’s research or clinical care. We’re delighted this past Symposium, the patients voice was added to the mix and so, participating in that task force during the most recent Symposium was an important element to make sure that the patients voice and concerns were incorporated into clinical care.

How important is it for associations like PHA to be involved in the World Symposia on Pulmonary Hypertension?

I think the best way for the Symposium to continue advancing patient care, for us, is to make sure that the patients voice is included in shared decision making and also in the design of clinical trials and clinical research. Patients are very eager to give back to the community and to help find a cure, if not for themselves, for patients in the future. So, by providing a platform for patient associations like the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and its proceedings, it helps ensure that the patients perspective and voice is included in the care they will receive in the years to come.