Patient Ambassador Program
The Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) Clinic Patient Ambassador Program launches in January 2025. This free program connects new FND Clinic patients with individuals who have completed the FND treatment program. Patient ambassadors may meet with you after your neurological assessment at the start of your treatment in the clinic, upon request. They are here to share their experiences, talk with you about your own experiences, and provide support/encouragement to help you continue your treatment journey with confidence.**
**Please note: Patient Ambassadors are meant to serve as a support to patients in the FND Clinic. They cannot and will not provide ANY medical advice. These ambassadors are for FND Clinic patients only and patients should only fill out the form below after their initial neurological assessment in the Clinic.
To be paired with a patient ambassador, please complete the following steps:
- Review the list of PAs below
- Fill out the interest form at the bottom of the page. Include your preferred patient ambassador’s name and a blurb about yourself and your journey.
- The FND Clinic will connect you with your paired ambassador via email.
- You will meet with your PA via zoom or phone call at a scheduled time.
Current Patient Ambassadors
Kristine Aubert
Kristine is diagnosed with C-PTSD and FND. She completed the UC Health NES/Functional Seizure Clinic in 2024. She has a bachelor’s degree in Drama and enjoys working in her garden, swimming, writing, and getting out to hike in nature.
Susan Branch
My name is Susan I have had Oral mandibular dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesia since 03/12/2008. Back then it was something unseen in my area, I was Diagnosed at the Scottsdale mayo clinic in Arizona after many weeks in the hospital and a lot of assumptions about my seizures and strange mouth movements, I was given the medications to at least lessen my symptoms. NES is a life changing event or was for me with all of the surgeries and adapting to the new me and other peoples perceptions and misunderstanding of the illness in general. NES can completely consume one’s life. My goal is to share experience, listen and continue to learn from your story that our futures are both improved by our connection.
Megan Ferenz
I was diagnosed with FND at 35 years old, my daughter was 10, my marriage 12 and my life in it’s prime. I had a medical history of CVST and COVID and originally imagined the isolating events leading me into the clinic were unparalleled to anything that could be related to within it. As my guard lowered and trust widened, what I found were peers with more similarities than differences. What this program, designed by Dr. Strom and her team, taught me was how to live a life with FND instead of living a life led by it. Because more important than a diagnosis, is what I’ve done with it.
