BioMatrix is proud to serve the bleeding disorder community. Our multidisciplinary team works together to help bleeding disorder patients gain and maintain access to prescribed therapy while providing support resources designed to make managing hemophilia or VWD a little easier.
Today we’re highlighting our education division. BioMatrix offers dynamic and interactive educational programming designed to assist patients and caregivers navigate the ups and downs of life with a bleeding disorder. Each program is intended to address key issues faced by bleeding disorders community members, providing a full spectrum of patient and caregiver support. We are pleased to offer these programs free of charge to organizations serving the bleeding disorders community.
Our programming is conducted by our phenomenal team of educators. As Bleeding Disorder Awareness Month continues, get to know our amazing education team!
Terry Rice | Director of Advocacy and Education
Terry has been a lifelong advocate within the bleeding disorder community. He’s served on the Board of Directors for local and national bleeding disorder advocacy organizations and was one of the original founders of the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) in 1994. Throughout the 1990s, Terry spent significant time educating members of Congress in Washington DC regarding legislative initiatives furthering the interests of persons with bleeding disorders. He served a two-year appointment as the community voting member on FDA’s Blood Products Advisory Committee. He has held various management and executive positions within the healthcare industry for 20 years. Terry is a person with a bleeding disorder, and his passion is to empower persons with chronic illness. Terry earned his bachelor’s in chemistry and has studied master’s level economics concentrating in health economics.
Kelly Gonzalez | Sr. Education Specialist and Regional Care Coordinator
Kelly Lynn Gonzalez is a patient, parent of patients, and spouse in the rare disease community. Having personal experience in bleeding disorders, autoimmune diseases, PIDD, epilepsy, and cancer—Kelly presents education drawn from nearly three decades of personal and professional experiences. Her educational presentation style shares her journey and educates and empowers the audience. She channels her past experience as a teacher and infuses her passion for persons with chronic illness into heartfelt and dynamic programs. Kelly holds an MBA and MA in Education.
Shelby Smoak | Education Specialist and Advocate
Shelby Smoak is a tireless advocate for patients with chronic health conditions. In the 90s, his experience living with a bleeding disorder and HIV led him to become actively involved in advocacy. He’s been saturated in the ever-changing dynamics of healthcare ever since. Shelby helps others understand complicated health policy and serves as a voice for patients with rare conditions across the nation. He’s been featured on TV and radio, including NPR. Shelby served on the board for the Hemophilia Association of the Capitol Area and currently serves on the Pfizer B2B board. A former literature professor, Shelby is also a writer and a musician. Awarded a Pen/American grant for writers living with HIV, Smoak holds a PhD in Literature and an MA in English. His book, “Bleeder: A Memoir” received praise from sources as diverse as The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Library Journal, and Glamour and has won several awards, including “Best of the Best” by the American Library Association.
John Martinez | Regional Care Coordinator
John has over 20 years of experience as an educator and understands the importance of education and advocacy for the bleeding disorders community. John has applied his skills as a teacher and job counselor to enhance outreach in both the English and Spanish speaking communities. Having two adult sons with severe hemophilia and a daughter with mild hemophilia, John has been an active volunteer in his community for over fifteen years. He has coordinated numerous educational programs and worked extensively with his local hemophilia foundation. John has a B.A. in Business Administration and a California Teaching Credential.
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