Blog – The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation

Why One-Size-Fits All Weight Loss Fails

There’s a moment when you’re sitting across from yet another health professional, watching them flip through your chart with that familiar look of confusion. Your weight hasn’t budged despite following their meticulously crafted meal plan. The high-protein, high-fiber recommendations sit heavy in your stomach, like literally. And once again, you hear those dreaded words: You just need to stick to the plan. But what happens when standard approaches simply don’t work? Living with Crohn’s Disease, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has taught me that weight management isn’t just about willpower or following the right program. It’s about navigating…

Navigating Maternal Health With IBD

Inﬂammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affects millions of Americans, with many being women of childbearing age who face unique challenges during pregnancy and beyond. Yet the intersection of maternal health and IBD remains largely unaddressed in healthcare conversations, particularly for Black women, who are disproportionately at risk for both maternal complications and IBD-related healthcare disparities. A Personal Journey Through IBD’s Barriers In 2017, after visiting six different doctors, I was ﬁnally diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. The journey to diagnosis was just the beginning. Managing my condition required frequent specialist visits, expensive medications, and infusion treatments that initially cost $1,000 out…

Empowered Patients Are the Missing Metric in Healthcare

I remember sitting in an exam room in 2017, knowing something was wrong with my body, but not having the words, the tools, or even the space to say it. The questions I should’ve asked? I didn’t know I could ask them. The information I needed was there, but buried in medical terms, rushed appointments, and the quiet assumption that I’d figure it out on my own. What I’ve come to understand, not just as a Crohn’s survivor, but as a Certified Patient Leader, is this: Outcomes in healthcare don’t just depend on new treatments. They depend on empowered patients.…

Shared Decision-Making in IBD Care: A Pathway to Better Outcomes

Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comes with a series of complex decisions from treatment options and medication plans to lifestyle changes and long-term care strategies. For many patients, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where Shared Decision-Making (SDM) comes in a compassionate and collaborative approach that brings patients and healthcare providers together to make informed decisions aligned with what truly matters to the patient. What is Shared Decision-Making? Shared decision-making is more than a medical conversation—it’s a partnership. In this process, both the patient and the healthcare provider contribute their knowledge and perspectives to arrive at the best path forward. It…

3rd Annual Let’s Talk IBD Health & Wellness Symposium

The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation proudly presents the 3rd Annual Let’s Talk IBD Health and Wellness Symposium, a powerful OPPORTUNITY to raise awareness about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) within the African American community. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of this chronic condition on underserved African Americans, our mission is to collaborate with healthcare organizations and community partners to uplift and support those living with IBD, enhancing their quality of life.

Crohn’s Disease – A Life Threatening Disease

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling and sores deep in the layers of tissue along your digestive tract (from your mouth to your anus). It is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Studies have shown that Crohn’s can affect both the lungs and the intestinal tract. The symptoms of such disease develop gradually. Some might experience: High temperature or fever Fatigue (Tiredness) Loss of Appetite Sudden weight loss Feeling as if your bowels aren’t free Frequent urgency to eliminate Note: It’s sometimes possible to mistake these symptoms for the symptoms of…

Crohn’s & Colitis Holiday Bowl -A-Thon

The Stephanie A. Wynn Annual Crohn’s & Colitis Holiday Bowl-A-Thon is a yearly bowl-a-thon where we partner with our local community volunteers to raise IBD awareness along with fundraising opportunities. Do you know that Up to 20 percent of people with Crohn’s Disease have a first-degree relative (parent, child, or sibling) with IBD? As many as 780,000 Americans live with Crohn’s disease and it impacts men and women equally. Crohn’s Disease can occur at any age, but often occurs between ages 15 to 35 years old. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. During our bowl-a-thon we have door prizes…

What You Should Know About Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Here’s what it’s like to live with this rare disorder and how to cope with it. For millions of people, constant bowel problems have become routine. Unending painful flareups cause you to miss workdays and limit social activities for weeks. Worse yet, you struggle with anxiety, embarrassment, and the constant frustration of why it happens and what to do about it. If this sounds all too familiar, you might be dealing with inflammatory bowel disease. It’s important to understand the cause and how you can get it treated. What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a…

Change Starts with Community Partnerships

According to a DATA USA (2018) report, Pinellas County, Florida has a population of approximately 975,280 people. Households have a median annual income of only $52,198 which is less than the median income of $61,937 across the United States. With the collaboration of community thought leaders, community volunteers and healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations and government agencies, The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation, Inc., are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of economically disenfranchised African Americans who are diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation aims to strengthen the network to bring patients, doctors, and community thought leaders…

Ulcerative Colitis- Understanding the Impact and Management

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic condition that forms part of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and primarily affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Characterized by inflammation and ulcers, UC is not just a gastrointestinal disorder; it significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life, manifesting through symptoms like persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and urgent bowel movements. The causes of Ulcerative Colitis remain not fully understood, but factors such as genetics, immune system malfunctions, and environmental triggers are believed to play critical roles. Unlike other forms of IBD, such as Crohn’s Disease, which can affect any part of the…

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