Shira was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in 2018 at age 14. She became involved in ImproveCareNow in 2020 as a member of the Patient Advisory Council, and is now serving as the Co-Chair of the PAC. In her role, she supports the development of resources for patients and families, and acts as a connection point for providers looking to collaborate with the PAC. She has presented at multiple ICN conferences about a range of topics, including patient-centered care and adolescent health in IBD, and is also passionate about discussing mental health and LGBTQ+ IBD patients.

The PAC has been an incredible source of community throughout her IBD journey, and she appreciates that ICN values her perspective as a patient. On a personal level, being in the PAC has also helped her become a stronger advocate for her own medical care and better navigate some of the challenges her IBD and other chronic health conditions create.

Shira is from Northern California and is currently a sophomore at Bates College. She is majoring in Neuroscience with plans to go to medical school, and hopes her experience as a patient and in ICN will make her a better doctor in the future. She loves dogs, and enjoys reading, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family.