Healthcare Independence and Transition Challenges with Heather & John

On Beyond the Bleeds, John and Heather take a different approach today by becoming both the host and the guest, diving deep into life transitions in healthcare. Previously, they’ve discussed the Hemophilia Outreach Center’s support systems, but today, they broaden the scope to explore how transitions affect all aspects of life. These multifaceted and universal transitions are covered from childhood to adulthood, navigating work environments, or even preparing for retirement.

Heather Hansen and John Mazzariello both have three children and bring a personal touch to the healthcare transition discussion. They pull from their experiences as parents, candidly sharing their journey of guiding their children to independence and underscoring the challenges and rewards of letting go. Grounded in real-life scenarios that many parents can relate to, this conversation is informative and deeply humanizing.

Heather joined HOC as the Program/Communications Coordinator in July 2023 and recently transitioned into the role of Certified Social Worker. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from UW-Green Bay. She brings over 20 years of experience in social work, particularly in the HIV/AIDS community and foster care/adoption. Heather has extensive experience in case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, and connecting individuals with essential resources. She is also skilled in program development, community outreach, and patient education.

As part of her role at HOC, Heather cohosts Beyond the Bleeds, a podcast dedicated to helping individuals navigate life with bleeding disorders.

She lives near Lake Michigan with her children and her Boxer dog, Boston. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and kayaking.

John is a former International Certified Arborist and moved to Wisconsin in 2005 from the Pacific Northwest. He began his nursing career shortly thereafter and has been a lab technician and Research Coordinator with The Hemophilia Outreach Center since 2016.

John plays guitar with several local music groups outside the clinic and hosts a YouTube channel focused on sports cards and memorabilia collecting.

“Transition doesn’t just happen from childhood to adulthood—it happens in healthcareand in every aspect of life.” – John Mazzariello

Today on Beyond the Bleeds:

• Transition in life isn’t limited to healthcare; it encompasses various stages and challenges.
• Heather and John share personal parenting stories to illustrate letting go and teaching independence.
• Healthcare transitions are crucial, especially in preparing children and teens to take control of their health.
• John and Heather emphasize the role of advocacy—whether it’s dealing with teachers, doctors, or even car dealerships.
• Overcoming the initial fear of letting kids drive is a key parental challenge.
• Resources like mentors, nutritionists, and proper communication channels can significantly aid these transitions.
• Preparing adults with bleeding disorders for their retirement years is an emerging focus area, emphasizing the importance of planning.
• Educating adult children about their aging parents’ bleeding disorders is crucial for effective support.

Resources Mentioned:

NHPCC (National Hemophilia Program Coordinating Center): https://www.bleeding.org/

MyChart: https://www.mychart.com/

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