Nohora Gutierrez is a single mother of a disabled veteran, a caregiver of an elderly father with AFib, triple bypass, orthopedic joint surgeries, and rheumatoid arthritis conditions, a patient managing the invisible symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and a retired Human Resources Analyst with a Masters of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology living in South Florida over 50 years.
As a lifelong learner, she attended MS live events and webinars, in-person and virtual interactive support groups, and joined MS networks to participate in diverse MS research studies. Her goal evolved from individual level involvement in MS research to group level recruitment for a wider multifaceted approach in MS research participation. She joined the iConquerMS research network, is a member of the RIDE (Research, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) Council, and the Next Steps Committee.
She is also an MS activist with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and AARP advocate for healthcare policy changes on the affordability and availability of specialty medicine for patients with chronic illnesses. Her belief in the power of patient-centered research to enhance overall quality of life is evident in her personal participation as a dedicated champion for diversity and inclusion in MS research.
Her vast experience in utilizing the healthcare systems for her father, daughter, and herself have extensively broadened her passion for active community engagement as both a consumer and family advocate. She strives to positively impact the healthcare service delivery through her participation in organizations actively engaged in partnerships between healthcare systems and people with lived experience (PWLE) in underrepresented communities. Based on her lived experience as a patient and caregiver, she is involved as a National Consumer Scholars with the Camden Coalition, Community Advisory Board with the Kessler Foundation, Patient Voice Panel with the Arthritis Foundation, Panel Member with the M3 Global Research, and Study Advisory Group-CARE IN MS Study with the Langone Health.