Building The Noise with Bridget Dandaraw-Seritt: EPISODE 016

For four years, doctors told Bridget Dandaraw-Seritt that she was fine. When someone finally listened, they discovered a surgical screw embedded in her cerebellum and another working its way in.In this episode of Building the Noise, Bridget joins Matt Toresco for a powerful conversation about medical dismissal, chronic illness, patient advocacy, prescription drug access, and the importance of trusting your own body.Living with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, a rare form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, and related complications inspired Bridget to become a determined healthcare policy advocate. Today, she helps patients understand legislation, share their stories, communicate with lawmakers, and fight for policies that protect their access to care.Bridget also explains how pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, formularies, prescription drug affordability boards, and state healthcare policies can influence whether patients receive the medications and support they need.In this episode, you’ll learn:What happened after Bridget’s concerns were dismissed for four yearsHow to advocate for yourself when a doctor does not listenWhy patients should not be afraid to seek another medical opinionHow PBMs and rebates can influence medication accessWhy some drug-pricing policies may create unintended consequencesHow patients and caregivers can influence healthcare policyWhy community is essential for people living with chronic illnessHow healthcare organizations can amplify patient voices without speaking over themPatients are the reason the healthcare system exists, yet their perspectives are often missing from decisions about treatment, coverage, medication access, and public policy. Bridget’s story is a powerful reminder to trust yourself, stay persistent, find community, and use your voice.Subscribe to Building the Noise for more conversations about patient advocacy and healthcare change. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that their voice matters, and leave a rating or review to help more listeners discover the show.What should patients do when they know something is wrong but their concerns keep being dismissed?#PatientAdvocacy #PatientVoice #ChronicIllness #HealthcarePolicy #MedicalDismissalSupport the showBuilding the Noise with Matt Toresco