Learn More About the Patient & Community Advisory Group Members

ANGELLA BECKFORD
Founding Patient Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Angella is a blood clot survivor and patient advocate who works to strengthen communication and partnership between patients and healthcare providers. In 2019, after initially being misdiagnosed with a groin strain, Angella was later diagnosed with a blood clot in her leg and multiple blood clots in her lungs.

Her experience led to months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, during which she began speaking about the importance of patient voices within healthcare systems and found her purpose in being a voice for the voiceless. Since then, Angella has participated in healthcare symposia, inter-professional education sessions, and patient advisory initiatives focused on improving the patient experience.

Angella is particularly passionate about encouraging individuals to become informed advocates for their health. Through her participation in PCAG, she hopes to continue promoting patient empowerment, education, and stronger partnerships between patients and healthcare providers.

Read more about Angella’s blood clot experience here.

ALYSON LAYSER
Founding Patient Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Alyson Layser is a blood clot survivor whose experience with pulmonary embolism at age 21 led to a diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). After months of unexplained symptoms and extensive testing, Alyson underwent a highly specialized pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery at the University of California, San Diego, in 2020. This life-saving procedure removed the clots from her lungs.

Today, Alyson is fully recovered and committed to raising awareness about blood clots, particularly the risks associated with hormonal contraception. She frequently shares her experience to help others recognize symptoms earlier and advocate for their health. Alyson also has hosted the podcast Her Everyday, where she discussed health, wellness, and personal growth.

Through her participation in the Rowan Foundation’s Patient & Community Advisory Group, Alyson hopes to help expand awareness and ensure that patient experiences remain central to conversations about women’s health and blood clot risk.

Read more about Alyson’s blood clot experience here.

MARICATHERINE CARSON MULLANEY
Founding Patient Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Maricatherine Carson Mullaney is a blood clot survivor and long-time advocate within the clotting community. She was diagnosed with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2009 after experiencing symptoms including dizziness, shortness of breath, and a rapid pulse.

Since that time, Maricatherine has dedicated herself to raising awareness about blood clots and sharing educational information through social media and community outreach. She actively promotes resources and initiatives across the clotting community and has consistently supported the work of organizations focused on blood clot education and prevention.

Maricatherine is widely recognized for her compassion and unwavering encouragement of others facing similar health challenges. As a member of PCAG, she hopes to continue helping expand awareness and strengthen support for individuals affected by blood clots.

Read more about Maricatherine’s blood clot experience here.

AYNSLEE ROBERTS
Founding Patient Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Aynslee experienced multiple pulmonary embolisms in 2023 after taking hormonal birth control. Her diagnosis followed an emergency hospitalization for a perforated stomach ulcer, when doctors discovered blood clots in her lungs.

After more than a week in the hospital and several months of recovery on anticoagulants, Aynslee emerged from the experience committed to raising awareness about the risks of blood clots, particularly among young women. She now shares her story to encourage others to ask questions, understand potential medication risks, and advocate for their health.

Through her participation in the Rowan Foundation’s Patient & Community Advisory Group, Aynslee hopes to help ensure that young women better understand the potential risks associated with hormonal contraception and feel empowered to make informed healthcare decisions.

Read more about Aynslee’s blood clot experience here.

SARA WYEN
Founding Patient Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Sara Wyen is the founder of the Blood Clot Recovery Network (BCRN), an online resource dedicated to helping people navigate the lifestyle and recovery challenges that often follow a blood clot diagnosis. Sara survived a life-threatening pulmonary embolism at age 29 and spent ten days in intensive care before beginning her recovery.

Following that experience, Sara became a leading voice in the clotting community. Through BCRN, she provides education, resources, and support to thousands of individuals living with the long-term effects of blood clots. Her blog, social media platforms, and online support group connect a growing community of people seeking guidance after diagnosis.

Sara has long supported the Rowan Foundation’s work and shares its mission of strengthening education and awareness about blood clots. As a member of PCAG, she hopes to continue amplifying patient voices and helping others navigate the often complex journey of recovery.

Read more about Sara’s blood clot experience here.

DAVID ROWAN
Founder, Rowan Foundation
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

David Rowan is the founder of the Rowan Foundation, established in memory of his daughter, Alexandra, who passed away suddenly in 2013 at the age of 23 after experiencing a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in her lung, linked to combined hormonal contraception. This tragic loss became the catalyst for the Rowan Foundation’s long-standing commitment to raising awareness about blood clot risks, particularly as they relate to women’s health.

Since its founding, the Rowan Foundation has developed educational resources and initiatives to improve awareness, support informed decision-making, and advance conversations at the intersection of women’s health and clotting. The Foundation has also launched a national scholarship program supporting women in creative writing, including a first-of-its-kind scholarship for undergraduate women whose academic and creative journeys have been shaped by a blood clot or clotting disorder.

Through the establishment of the Patient & Community Advisory Group, David supports the Foundation’s continued efforts to ensure that patient and family voices help inform this work, with the goal of improving understanding, communication, and outcomes for women.

ALEX KANGELARIS
Founding Family Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Alex joins the Rowan Foundation’s Patient & Community Advisory Group (PCAG) in memory of his daughter, Christina, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 28 after experiencing a deep vein thrombosis or blood clot in her calf that traveled to her lungs and became a pulmonary embolism.

Inspired by the message to “encourage one another and build each other up,” Christina lived her life with generosity and kindness. In honoring her memory, Alex is committed to helping raise greater awareness about blood clots so that more people understand the risks, recognize symptoms, and seek care when something feels wrong.

Through his participation in PCAG, Alex hopes to help raise awareness and educate others so that other families may be spared similar loss.

MEGAN VON HOPFFGARTEN
Founding Family Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Megan joins the Rowan Foundation’s Patient & Community Advisory Group in memory of her daughter, Amara, who passed away at the age of 14 from a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in her lung, linked to hormonal birth control and an undiagnosed genetic clotting disorder, heterozygous factor V Leiden.

What began as a routine effort to treat adolescent acne became a tragic reminder of the potential risks associated with estrogen-containing medications in individuals with underlying clotting conditions. In the months following Amara’s passing, Megan sought answers through research and reflection, gaining a deeper understanding of blood clot risks and the importance of informed medical decision-making.

Through her participation in PCAG, Megan is committed to raising awareness about blood clots, encouraging open and informed conversations between families and healthcare providers, and empowering both parents and young people to advocate for safe, individualized care.

Read more about Amara’s story as shared by her mother, Megan, here and here.

DRU WEST
Founding Family Member,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Dru West joins the Rowan Foundation’s Patient & Community Advisory Group in memory of her daughter, Julia, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 29 after experiencing a pulmonary embolism or blood clot in her lung linked to hormonal contraception. Julia’s sudden loss profoundly shaped Dru’s commitment to raising awareness about blood clot risks, particularly as they relate to women’s health.

Following her daughter’s passing, Dru became a dedicated advocate focused on educating others about the risks associated with combined hormonal contraception and the importance of recognizing blood clot symptoms. She brings this expertise to her role as Board President of the USA Patient Network, where she works to advance patient safety.

A longtime supporter of the Rowan Foundation, Dru has shared her time, insight, and voice to help expand awareness and connect others to critical educational resources. Through her participation in PCAG, she hopes to continue raising awareness and helping to prevent similar losses for other families.

Read more about Julia’s story, as shared by her mother Dru, here.

VIAN NGUYEN, MD, F.A.C.O.G.
Rowan Foundation and PCAG Medical Advisor,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Dr. Vian Nguyen is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, healthcare leader, and Medical Advisor to the Rowan Foundation. She brings more than a decade of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, women’s health, healthcare leadership, and digital health innovation to the foundation’s education and awareness initiatives.

Dr. Nguyen currently serves as a physician at the University of Houston and consults for multiple health tech companies. Her previous roles include serving as Chief of Clinical Services at Legacy Community Health in Houston and holding medical directorships in women’s healthcare. She also is co-founder of Taboos, a health education platform designed to provide teens with medically accurate, judgment-free information about sexual and emotional health.

Through her role with PCAG, Dr. Nguyen provides clinical perspective and medical guidance to support patient-centered education, stronger communication between patients and healthcare providers, and more informed conversations about women’s health, contraception, blood clot risk, and clotting awareness.

LISA FULLAM
Rowan Foundation and PCAG Communications and Public Health Education Advisor,
Rowan Foundation Patient & Community Advisory Group

Lisa Fullam is a healthcare communications and medical marketing strategist with extensive experience in public health, nonprofit communications, medical education, and integrated awareness campaigns. She has developed concept-to-execution communications strategies for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Through her work with the Rowan Foundation, Lisa supports the organization’s education, awareness, and patient-centered communications initiatives focused on women’s health, blood clot risk, and clotting awareness. Her role in PCAG focuses on helping translate patient, family, and community insights into accessible educational content and communications that better reflect the real-world experiences of women and families affected by blood clots.

Lisa’s background includes leadership roles in healthcare communications, public health marketing, and VTE education, including prior work directing national blood clot awareness and education initiatives, developing patient and provider resources, and building communications programs designed to improve understanding and care. Through her participation in PCAG, she hopes to help strengthen the connection between personal experience, public education, and more informed conversations between patients and healthcare providers.