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Advocacy Work

I have taken part in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, moderated social media patient experience discussions, and written extensively about my experiences with Crohn’s Disease.

I’m available for public speaking events, panel discussions, conferences and other experiences where an IBD patient’s voice is a critical part of the discussion.

Connect with me!

About IBD

I was a guest on the About IBD podcast, hosted by Amber Tresca, in September of 2025. We recorded Episode 186: How Patient Stories Change Perspectives and Influence Lawmakers.

Summary: Every person living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can help change public policy by sharing their story and participating in advocacy events, such as visiting legislators in Washington, D.C. Amber talks to Kelly E. Dwyer, who teaches us how to prepare an elevator speech and gives us practical tips for Hill Day logistics, working within teams, staying emotionally resilient, and following up with staffers. Advocacy is for everyone, and persistence and collaboration can lead to real policy changes to benefit the IBD and chronic illness communities. By the end of the episode, you’ll have the real resources you can use to do this work as a patient advocate both locally and nationally.

American Gastroenterological Association

I was invited by the AGA to participate in their Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in 2024 and 2025. This day-long event paired physicians with patient advocates to speak with our legislative representatives on Capitol Hill and share our stories. We advocated for funding for NIH research, and the support for passing bills that will eliminate step therapy, put regulatory guardrails on prior authorizations, reform pharmacy benefit managers, and ensure physician reimbursement. #agaadvocacy

Girls with Guts

I’m delighted to be part of the Girls with Guts blogging team. Here are several of my blog posts:

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

October 19, 2024, I was invited to participate in a MyIBDLearning day-long information session in Tysons Corner, VA, hosted by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. I participated in and moderated a panel on “It Takes a Village: Partnering with Your Healthcare Team.”

Monday Night IBD

In October of 2023, I was invited to moderate a Patient Experience Twitter/X discussion for @MondayNightIBD (I participated as @DeviousDwyer). Dr. Aline Charabaty runs the CME program on social media that connects medical providers with patients throughout the year to discuss concerns relevant in the field of IBD research. The discussion I moderated explored the important topic of side effects of steroids in IBD patients.

https://twitter.com/MondayNightIBD/status/1714635113907032117

Digestive Disease National Coalition

In March 2024, I took part in the DDNC two day Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. This included remarks and speeches from industry and government leaders as well as advocacy training. I accompanied Health and Medicine Counsel legislative advocates on a day-long tour of Capitol Hill, meeting with many members of the House and Senate to share my story as a Crohn’s patient, and to advocate for their support of bills and research funding that could save my life. I wrote about my experiences here: Advocating at The Digestive Diseases National Coalition Public Policy Forum.