Exploring the Patient Experience

A dedicated patient advocate since her lupus diagnosis in 2004, Shanelle has become a powerful voice for awareness and change. She has delivered keynotes alongside the former Director of the National Institute of Health, spoken at the Congressional Briefing on Lupus Research, and highlighted in Women's Health magazine. Shanelle was featured on the cover of USA Today as well as in a campaign sponsored by the FDA to increase clinical trial participation.

A past clinical trial participant and advocate, Shanelle currently serves on the Lupus Voices Council for the Lupus Accelerating Breakthroughs Consortium with the FDA & NIH, sitting on multiple working groups to advance lupus therapy development. She is the host and producer of the Better Together: Sharing Our Lupus Stories web series which seeks to help patients live their best lives with lupus and reached a million views. Shanelle regularly lectures at hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies on communication strategy to engage diverse populations, improving healthcare access, and impactful changes to increase patient engagement in clinical trials.

Past Offerings
Shanelle offers patient-centered performances, conversations, and panels informed by lived experience, cultural considerations, and community perspectives to strengthen understanding, trust, and engagement including:

  • Patient journey & educational keynotes at countless conferences, company town halls, and events

  • Chairing/ Hosting health conferences and panels on Clinical Trials

  • Performing spoken word on her journey to diagnosis

  • Consulting on CT recruitment planning, programming, material development, and patient advisory boards

“Shanelle makes art feel truly accessible by seamlessly weaving her gorgeous poetry into her presentation.

As you watch her, you realize that poetry isn't something separate from us—it can be an intentional part of everyday life, painting beautiful pictures, capturing raw emotion, and uniting people through shared human experience.”

Meg Harrison—Patient Advocacy Relations, Genentech

Get In Touch

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