Stanford Adult Cystic Fibrosis Advisory Council
Name: Kate Yablonsky, LCSW
Role: CF PFAC Staff Advisory
Background: Kate joined the Stanford Adult CF Team in 2018. She is also the social worker for Stanford's Interstitial Lung Disease program. Prior to that, she spent the first decade+ of her career in social work at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital working with the pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant teams. She did her undergraduate degree at New York University and got her masters in social work from UC Berkeley with a concentration in health. Kate is married to a 5th grade teacher and has a daughter and a son. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA.
CF Involvement: In addition to her day-to-day work as a CF social worker, Kate facilitates support groups for CFRI for adults with CF, pediatric CF caregivers, and adult CF caregivers and spouses. She has also facilitated groups at CFRI conferences and presented posters at NACFC. The first person with CF she ever met was the younger brother of a close childhood friend; he was her first window into this special community and is still a huge reason she is so inspired to come to work every day. He is well into adulthood and doing great!
Name: Theresa Kinney, RN
Role: CF Nurse Coordinator
Background: Theresa is from Phoenix, Arizona. She received her nursing degree in 2010. Her professional experience includes inpatient and outpatient rehab, as well as teaching nursing assistant students. Most recently she has been working as a traveling nurse, helping hospitals around the country. This includes work in a vast variety of acute care settings.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and many outdoor activities.
CF Involvement: Theresa joined the Stanford Adult CF Team as one of the nurse coordinators in 2019. She is very excited to be a part of the Cystic Fibrosis team at Stanford and has enjoyed becoming a part of the CF family.
Name: David "Shawn" Taylor
Role: Advisory Council Member since 2015
Background/Occupation: I have a degree in business management. I own my own landscape construction company and have been in the landscape field for over 30 years. I am going on my 15th year coaching shot put and discus for the Washington High School track team. I love playing the ukulele. My ukulele comes with me to the hospital at all times. I enjoy traveling and playing golf with my wife when my health allows me. I am currently working with the Latin community in Fremont and Newark in helping them develop a better relationship with God and family.
Involvement: I was diagnosed at age 50, before that they just thought I had severe asthma but could not understand why I was always sick. Our dog Luna helped to get the doctors attention and check to see if I had CF. I have represented the Stanford CF Advisory Board on a couple of national PFAC boards.
Objective: To help educate and to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. To represent Stanford CF PFAC the best that I can.
Name: Will Harvey
Role: CF PFAC Council Member
Background: I'm a mechatronics engineer who also has CF. Good CF care means that I can keep eating rye bread and ice cream without hesitation!
CF Involvement: This is my first time serving on a PFAC
Name: Anna P.
Role: CF PFAC Council Member
Background: Anna was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis shortly after birth. Her Stanford CF experience began at age 7 at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Since then, Stanford has been her medical home for all but 5 years. Along the way, she has diversified her CF Experience by developing sinusitis, CF-related Diabetes, and other complementary conditions. Now in her 30's, Anna resides with her partner in the San Francisco area and works full time as a researcher on social safety net programs. She holds both a bachelor's and master's degree. Anna enjoys traveling around California, singing in a local band, and taking her Trikafta religiously.
CF Involvement: This is Anna's first time serving on a CF PFAC
Name: Angela Nida
Role: CF PFAC member
Background: I am 40 years old and was diagnosed when I was 28 years old and every year since, I have been learning and adapting to life with Cystic Fibrosis. I am proud to identify as part of the LGBTQ community & my partner of 10 years has been an integral part of my journey with CF. I am a chef and most recently received my degree in accounting. I have a dog called Hazel. She's a Chihuahua/terrier mix. I love dogs, drawing/art, birding, reading, cooking and movies.
Name: Kate P. (she/her)
Role: CF PFAC member
Background: Mid 30s year old, SF Bay area native. College and MBA graduate, working full time and married with one child.
CF Involvement: CF Patient diagnosed in infancy. Current patient of Stanford Adult CF Clinic; former patient of Stanford Children's CF Clinic. Sibling to another CFer. Passionate about supporting CF patients of all ages and caregivers to dream big about what an incredible, fulfilling life can be for them.
Name: Jacob Parrish
Role: CF PFAC Council Member
Background: Jacob is a 26 year old male that was diagnosed with CF 4 months after birth, and has been living with CF as a part of his life ever since. He is currently working as a pet caretaker, going from house to house taking care of people's pets while they are away on vacation or even at work. Jacob has also been a part of many different CF studies and trials ever since he was 4 years old, as well as being a part of many CF walkathons in his younger years, supporting the CF Foundation every step of the way. Jacob is mainly passionate about his CF and the video games he plays, whether they be on the computer or console.
Apply to be a member:
"If interested in learning more about the PFAC or applying to join, contact Kate Yablonsky, LCSW at kyablonsky@stanfordhealthcare.org or (650)444-6512."
Council Meetings:
CF PFAC meetings are held the 4th Thursday of every month from 5:00-6:30 via Zoom
Council Projects:
The CF PFAC is currently working on the following:
- Mentoring pediatric transition patients
- Partnering with CF Team on quality improvement around advance care planning
- Town Halls/CF Education Day
- Improving utilization of home spirometers
- Increasing the social media presence/engagement with wider SHC CF Community