The Cost of Not Being Heard: Clinical Dismissal and the Push for Change

About this episode

Stephanie A. Wynn shares her journey through misdiagnosis and medical dismissal, advocating for IBD patients and discussing the importance of patient navigation.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, Dr. Mary O’Connor speaks with Stephanie A. Wynn—author, Crohn’s survivor, and founder of The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation. Stephanie shares her powerful journey through years of misdiagnosis, medical dismissal, pregnancy loss, and a near‑death experience that ultimately shaped her mission to support underserved IBD patients. She breaks down the barriers many patients face when navigating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and explains how her IBD Patient Navigator® Program helps individuals access specialists, understand their diagnosis, reduce ER visits, and overcome social determinants of health. You’ll hear insights on: • The impact of delayed diagnosis and clinical bias • The difference between IBS and IBD • Why community health workers are essential to IBD care • How journaling and documentation strengthen patient advocacy • Expanding navigator programs into rural and underserved communities This conversation is a must‑listen for anyone working in gastroenterology, community health, patient navigation, or health equity.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Mary O’Connor

Guest: Stephanie A. Wynn

Topics covered

• clinical dismissal
• IBD patient navigation
• health equity
• misdiagnosis
• community health

Keywords

• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• patient advocacy
• social determinants of health
• community health workers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation

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