From Dr. Chopra: I am proud to introduce Stephanie Sutherland, BSN, RN. She volunteers at my office every so often. She has a very deep understanding of EDS, PoTS, MCAS, spinal issues in EDS. I have learnt a lot from her. She is a very good source of information about any of the complex conditions we face on a day-to-day basis. She is very compassionate and always tries her best to help.

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A little about me and why I’m here!

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Hi everyone! My name is Stephanie Sutherland, and I’m so honored to have the opportunity to share space here with Dr. Chopra as a blog contributor. I’m a registered nurse with a BSN, and I’ve had the privilege of working with patients with complex conditions since 2019 as part of the Center for Complex Conditions.

My passion for helping others with chronic illness is deeply personal; I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and several associated conditions. I’ve been through multiple neurosurgeries, and I understand what it’s like to live in daily pain, navigate a complex medical system, and juggle responsibilities while advocating for your own health. Because of this, I approach every interaction with compassion, empathy, and a trauma-informed mindset. I know how much medical burden many of us carry, and it’s my goal to make every patient feel heard, safe, and empowered.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to:

●      Teach classes and webinars through The EDS Society and The Mast Cell Disease Society

●      Collaborate with amazing support networks like the Coalition Against Pediatric Pain and the Dysautonomia Support Network

●      Co-author peer-reviewed journal articles on chronic and complex conditions, including a published piece on CRPS co-written with Dr. Pradeep Chopra through RSDSA

●      Engage in ADA and accessibility advocacy, including consulting for events like the Newport Folk Festival Foundation and Newport Jazz Festival

Currently, I also volunteer as a marine life first responder with Mystic Aquarium, assisting in rescues, strandings, conservation outreach, and research. In public health, I participate in infection prevention initiatives through the Rhode Island Department of Health, including Project Firstline and the CLABSI prevention program. I’m certified in central line care and prevention of bloodstream infections and contribute to state-wide grand rounds on disease monitoring and suicide prevention.

I believe education is power, especially when living with a rare or misunderstood condition. With so much misinformation around about EDS, POTS, MCAS, CRPS, and similar conditions, I promise to only share evidence-based information backed by reputable sources. My mission here is simple: to empower you with the knowledge you need to better understand your diagnoses, treatment options, and how to navigate care with confidence and hope.

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Chopra for the opportunity to contribute to this blog. I plan to share regular posts, resources, and insights from both a clinical and patient perspective.

On a more personal note, I live in a tiny beach cottage here in Rhode Island, with my wonderful husband, our cat, and our dog. I love painting, writing poetry, photography, cooking, gardening, being in nature, and attending live concerts. I’m currently learning Mandarin Chinese and always trying to grow in new ways. I’m proud to call Rhode Island home, and I’m especially proud of the strong and compassionate community of EDS and complex care providers we have here.

If you ever want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me anytime at:

NurseStephanieSutherland@gmail.com

Thank you for being here. I’m truly excited to grow, learn, and support each other on this journey.

Warmly,

Stephanie

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