Meet Our A4P Team
Rachel (she/her)
Rachel Hellman graduated from George Washington University after completing her training there as a Doctoral-prepared Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. During her training, she developed a transformative POTS self-advocacy educational program, and looks forward to continuing to support the POTS and chronic illness community with their mental health while passionately advocating for what they deserve. She developed POTS in 2019 but was dismissed and misdiagnosed for almost 2 years. She knows how difficult living with a diagnosis like POTS is for many reasons, and she also battles other chronic and rare diseases often seen in those living with POTS; these conditions took many more years of painful dismissal and fierce self-advocacy for her to finally have diagnosed properly. She has poured her love into building this organization and our resources, and was inspired by Amelia Moore, the daughter of a close friend. She wants to ensure that future patients do not suffer as much as she did during her journey, and instead feel supported, understood, and heard by their medical teams. She wants you to have access to the care you deserve, and wants A4P to be a valuable resource and guide. Her hobbies include reading, spending time in bookstores, cooking, playing tennis, drawing/painting, spending time at the beach, and movie nights.
Shivangi (she/her)
Shivangi has lived with dysautonomia for over 20 years; in addition to hyperadrenergic POTS, her diagnoses include two GI motility disorders, gastroparesis and IBS. Shivangi first developed dysautonomia secondary to an infectious illness, which she contracted during a trip to India, at the age of sixteen. Unfortunately, Shivangi’s road to obtaining the right set of diagnoses and a true understanding of her medical condition took over nine years and was filled with medical trauma, doubting by medical professionals, and misdiagnoses; furthermore, it took her another thirteen years to find the right set of providers and medications to develop an effective treatment plan, that would finally provide her with the most symptom control/relief and improve her quality of life. Regardless, with the support of her family and friends, she persevered, continued, and eventually completed her undergraduate and graduate studies while battling through her symptoms daily. Shivangi’s medical journey drove her to want to pursue a career in medicine, in which she could not only both sympathize and empathize with her patients, but also advocate for them, and is now a Physician Associate/Assistant specializing in pediatrics. Along her dysautonomia journey, Shivangi has all too well learned the importance of a good support system, holistic healthcare, advocating for yourself, and the value of kindness, compassion, and grace, not only from others, but most importantly, towards yourself; and therefore, she strives to highlight and reiterate the value of these factors in both her career and through volunteerism. In the past, Shivangi has served as a volunteer for multiple Children’s hospitals, cancer groups/organizations, UNICEF, and as a first aid volunteer for the American Red Cross. Shivangi is very excited and enthusiastic about her current role as the support group developer and diirector for A4P, as she knows how hard navigating an illness such as POTS can be, and hopes that the support group platform will prove to be both valuable and a pillar of support for those in our community. In her spare time, Shivangi enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, meditating, practicing yoga, hiking, traveling, and the outdoors (as her symptoms allow, of course).
Natalie (she/her)
After my post-viral POTS diagnosis in May 2023, I began a journey shaped by perseverance, healing, and support. A moment that changed my life but also deepened my resilience. Discovering a rehabilitation program that met me where I was and understood my needs made all the difference. Finding a supportive rehabilitation program helped me reconnect with my body and rebuild confidence. As a nurse, I understand the importance of compassionate care, and as a patient, I live it daily. Through yoga, hiking, and workout classes, I continue moving forward with intention, gratitude, and hope—supported by a strong and understanding community. As a participant in POTS research, I’m committed to learning, growth, and contributing to greater understanding of this condition. I continue to find strength, balance, and joy. I’m grateful for a community that reminds me every day that progress looks different for everyone, uplifts and inspires—and that’s worth celebrating!
RJ (he/him)
RJ, a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), provides forensic, litigation and valuation services in a tax and business consulting services company and is excited to be a part of the A4P team. He earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Business Analytics at Drexel University. As a new volunteer member of the A4P team, he aims to leverage his skills in forensic, litigation and valuation advisory services to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. In his spare time, RJ enjoys spending time with his loved ones, listening to music, reading books, and rock climbing both indoors and outdoors.
Adam (he/him)
Adam is a leader in data analytics and business intelligence. He became an advocate for the POTS community when his wife developed a form of dysautonomia early in their relationship. After seeing the toll it took on her health, daily functioning, and their way of life, he hoped to improve her quality of life as well as that of countless others. His experience as an accountant and analytics expert allows him to support the organization in many ways, especially given his profession. He hopes the awareness spread through this organization can help promote patient advocacy efforts around the world and that effective treatments can be made available soon to improve quality of life and daily functioning.
Natalie (she/her)
Natalie has lived with dysautonomia for almost 2 years. Shortly after a COVID-19 infection, she began presenting symptoms that was later diagnosed as orthostatic hypotension and hyperadrenergic POTS. Getting the correct diagnosis took dozens of tests, hours of driving to appointments, a few misdiagnoses, many moments of doubt, and an immense amount of support from the people around her. Only recently has she been able to find the right medical providers that are helping her find the right diagnosis and treatment plan. By day, she works as a cybersecurity analyst, and in her free time enjoys baking, cooking, running, hiking, and taking naps. She knows how frustrating the process of getting the correct diagnosis and treatment is, and how important it is to have support from loved ones. During her time with A4P, Natalie hopes to be a light to others, spread encouragement, and foster a sense of community amongst people with dysautonomia.
Roxy (she/her)
Roxy is a former Montessori teacher who is very excited to be a part of the A4P team. She experienced many terrifying and debilitating symptoms beginning in 2020 but was told by medical professionals that she was only experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. She continued to advocate for herself for many years, and after seeing over 20 providers, she was finally given a tilt table test when a cardiologist believed her about what she was experiencing. Her tilt table test showed that she has both POTS and neurocardiogenic syncope. Her symptoms are so severe that she had to stop teaching and is now on permanent disability. She is looking forward to helping support the POTS community while spreading awareness about dysautonomia. She knows how life changing POTS can be, and she hopes to make many connections with other POTsies. She enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reading, practicing mindfulness, playing video games, playing board games, listening to music, drawing, writing, doing puzzles, and spoiling her two cats.
Katie (she/her)
Katie is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about helping people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and other chronic illnesses feel better by managing their nutrition-related symptoms. She earned her undergraduate degree in Clinical Nutrition at the University of California, Davis, and completed her dietetic internship at Dominican University. As a fellow patient, Katie has experienced firsthand how nutrition can drastically improve symptoms that impact quality of life. This inspired her to open her part-time virtual private practice, EDS Nutrition, where she provides nutrition counseling and digital resources for people with EDS and POTS. She also supports patients through her website and blog which can be found by clicking here. In addition to enjoying working with fellow patients, Katie is also passionate about advocating for accessible nutrition solutions for people with chronic conditions. During the day, she works at the world's leading provider of medically tailored meals that delivers over 1 million meals per week to people with chronic conditions and physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
Hannah (she/her)
Hannah has been a Mental Health Counselor for over 20 years, working in community mental health and currently in private practice. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and a bachelor’s degree, with dual majors in psychology and English. Hannah began experiencing POTS symptoms shortly after graduating high school and suffered worsening symptoms through college and graduate school. It took over a decade for her to finally be diagnosed with POTS, after being dismissed by numerous medical providers. Hannah began meditating daily as a part of her treatment plan alongside other helpful interventions recommended by her medical team. Her own health struggles helped her understand the importance of using mindfulness and meditation to find a balance in her daily life. Her daily meditation was so beneficial that she began using meditations to assist clients. She tries to make the idea of meditation less intimidating by creating short, beginner meditations to help build consistency. You can find her meditations on the Aura Health meditation app, and you can find her comforting podcast by clicking here. Hannah is passionate about helping those in the POTS community manage their emotional and physical health. Her hobbies include reading, hiking (when symptoms allow), cooking, practicing latte art and hanging out with her family, including her two dalmatians.
Katie B (she/her)
I am excited to be a research article analyzer for A4P, utilizing my expertise as a clinical pharmacist to provide digestible information to the POTS community. I graduated in 2023 with my PharmD from Binghamton University and became a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) following the completion of a postgraduate residency program. As a fellow POTsie, I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate and understand all the studies, research and medical jargon related to POTS. This drives my commitment to providing the POTS community with concise, evidence-based information in a way that is a little less daunting. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring local coffee shops and reading.