Patient Advocacy Group
Mission & Purpose
Mission:
FACTMS’ mission is to raise awareness and educate about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, while expanding access worldwide to this life-saving treatment.
Purpose of the Patient Advocacy Group:
To elevate and organize patient stories and voices in support of that mission.
● Raise public awareness of TMS
● Share lived experiences responsibly and meaningfully
● Educate individuals, families, and communities
● Support advocacy efforts that increase access
We believe that when patient stories and voices are visible, stigma decreases and access expands.
Meet the Patient Advocacy Group (PAG)
The Patient Advocacy Group is the founding leadership tier of the FACTMS patient advocacy community.
♥ Composed of approximately 15 members, PAG serves as the active and visible advocacy group for patient voice within
FACTMS.
♥ Members help shape advocacy priorities, elevate lived experience, and support the growth of the broader Patient
Advisory Council and Champions community.
♥ Each member aligns deeply with the FACTMS mission and brings lived experience, insight, and commitment to
expanding education, awareness, and access to TMS.
Cindy Elkins, MBA
Mountain View, CA
Biotech and High Tech Leader
FACTMS Board of Directors (Treasurer); Patient Advocacy Group Chair; Featured Patient Story: “TMS Gave Me My Daughter Back!”
Amy Cook
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Founder of AMC Publics Relations
Non-Voting Advisor
Carlene MacMillan M.D., DFAACAP, FCTMSS
New York City, NY
Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder at Radial
Psychiatric MedTech Leader
FACTMS Board of Directors (Member)
Christina Hughes
FACTMS Board of Directors (Member)
Dyan Ferraris Kandel Ph.D. | San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Social Scientist & Founder of Ahava Clinic
CTMSS Member; Featured Patient Story: “TMS treatment changed my life following the birth of my children.”
Heather Valine
Digital Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Leader
Featured Patient Story: “A London Love Story, Interrupted”
Ibrahim Alsherief D.O.
Former Chief Resident of Neuromodulation at Harvard Medical School/ Attending Psychiatrist
Committee Members
Kim Cress M.D.
Regional Medical Director at Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers
Kristin Sharmila Raj M.D.
Chief of Stanford Interventional Psychiatry I Chief of Stanford Bipolar Clinic
Diana Daniele
Journalist and Literary Publicist
Featured Patient Story: “I Had Crippling Depression—Until I Tried a New Treatment”
Randy Pardell M.D., DLFAPA, FCTMSS
Chief Medical Officer at Clearwave Mental Health
Chase Elkins
Featured Patient Story: “Patient Advocate: A New Lease on Life”
Kim Cress M.D.
Regional Medical Director at Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers
Community Structure
Patient Advocacy Group (PAG)
~15 Visible & Active Members
Leadership Group
Advisory Council
30–50 Engaged Ambassadors
Provide feedback, participate in initiatives
Champions Community
Hundreds of Supporters
Amplify awareness and share resources
How to Get Involved
Why Get Involved?
- Your TMS story can spark hope for someone still searching
- Help reduce stigma and expand awareness
- Support families navigating difficult decisions
- Contribute to increasing access to life-changing care
How to Get Involved
1. Complete the Interest Form
2. Share your experience and preferred level of engagement
3. Join at the level that feels right:
○ Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) – active & visible leaders and advocates
○ Advisory Council – engaged ambassadors
○ Champions Community – broader supporters
No pressure. Just purpose. Complete the Interest Form to get started.
Considerations & Alignment Needed
1. Site Placement & Navigation
● Where should the Patient Advocacy page live within the existing FACTMS structure?
● How do we integrate with current “Patient Stories”, “Share Your Story”, etc. pages without duplicating content?
2. Terminology & Acronym Clarity
● Confirm alignment on FACTMS vs. FCTMSS usage
● Standardize naming and definition across:
○ Patient Advocacy Group (PAG)
○ Advisory Council
○ Champions Community
3. Phased Rollout
● Approve & complete Phase 1 (PAG member collection form)
● Align on timeline for Phase 2 (expanded bios, public links, storytelling)