In this episode of Amplify: Elevating Patient Voices, hosts Ursula Mann and Barry Liden are joined by Barry Stein, President and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about colorectal cancer, early screening, and why patient voices matter in shaping healthcare systems.

Barry Stein shares his remarkable journey—from a late-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis in the mid-1990s, through multiple surgeries and innovative treatments, to becoming one of Canada’s most influential patient advocates. His story highlights how determination, shared decision-making, and advocacy can drive meaningful change at both the individual and system level.

Together, the hosts explore why colorectal cancer screening is so critical, how screening programs have evolved across Canada, and the real-world barriers patients face when it comes to testing and access to care. The conversation also dives into the importance of patient engagement in research, clinical trials, and health technology decision-making—reminding us that data alone is never enough without lived experience.

This episode is a compelling reminder that patients are not just stakeholders in healthcare—they are essential partners.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Barry Stein’s personal experience with stage IV colorectal cancer and what it taught him about advocacy
• Why early detection and screening save lives
• The role of FIT testing and colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening
• How patient voices influence policy, access, and innovation in healthcare
• Why patient preference and lived experience matter in research and decision-making
• The long-term impact of advocacy—for individuals, families, and health systems

How is patient engagement evolving in one of the world’s fastest-changing healthcare regions?
In this episode, Ursula Mann and Christine Pisapia sit down with Mostafa Najib, a pharmaceutical leader with more than 20 years of experience across the Middle East.

Together, they explore how patient expectations are shifting, how technology and policy are reshaping access to innovation, and why meaningful patient insight is still one of healthcare’s biggest challenges—globally.

Why You Should Listen

• To gain a global perspective on how patient voices are being integrated into healthcare decision-making
• To understand what’s changing in the Middle East—and what remains surprisingly similar worldwide
• To hear real-world reflections from inside the pharmaceutical industry
• To explore how patient insight can shape better strategy, access, and outcomes
• To consider what the future of patient-centered healthcare could look like across systems

Episode Highlights

00:03:32 — Entering the pharmaceutical world
How Mostafa found his path into pharma and why the commercial side captured his interest.

00:05:03 — The rise of patient engagement in the Middle East
A look at how patient expectations and behaviors have shifted over the last two decades.

00:06:00 — The limits of traditional patient programs
Why awareness and access initiatives still fall short of capturing what patients truly value.

00:07:26 — When assumptions miss the mark
How physician perceptions sometimes diverge from what patients actually want or fear.

00:08:42 — Shared global patterns
Christine reflects on similar trends in North America—from “Dr. Google” to increasing patient advocacy.

00:09:05 — The evolving role of patient groups
Why patient associations are more established in Europe and North America than in the Middle East.

00:11:04 — Faster access to innovation
How regulatory modernization is closing the gap between U.S. approvals and local availability.

00:12:23 — Digital transformation (and no more faxing)
A lighthearted look at how digital health infrastructure has rapidly advanced in the region.

00:14:35 — What’s missing from patient insight
The everyday realities, symptoms, and priorities that often never reach the healthcare system.

00:17:09 — Shrinking visit time
How shorter appointments impact patient–physician communication and understanding.

00:20:20 — Designing a connected ecosystem
Mostafa imagines a future where patients, providers, payers, and pharma collaborate more seamlessly.

00:21:43 — When patient feedback redirects strategy
A real-world example of how one insight changed the course of a major investment.

00:25:30 — Surfing, seasons, and perspective
A glimpse into Mostafa’s life outside of work—and the waves he’s chasing next.

Want to Share Your Voice?

If you’re a patient or caregiver, you can join Patient Voice Connect to share your experiences and help shape healthcare here.

Join our email list to get new episode updates here.

Together, we can bring more voices to the table and shape the future of healthcare.

Share this episode, leave a review, and follow Patient Voice Partners on LinkedIn to help amplify more voices.

Welcome to the launch episode of Amplify, the podcast powered by Patient Voice Partners, where real stories spark bold conversations. In this episode, host Ursula Mann is joined by her co-hosts Brent Korte, Barry Liden, Anne Marie Hayes, and Christine Pisapia as they explore what patient engagement really means - and why it’s personal, not just professional.

Together, they share stories of caregiving, lived experiences, and the ways patient voices can influence decisions across healthcare - from policy and regulation to research and clinical care. Learn why listening to patients, caregivers, and healthcare changemakers matters, how insights from lived experiences translate into action, and the impact of truly inclusive patient engagement.

This episode also introduces Amplify’s mission: to provide a platform that elevates patient voices, fosters understanding, and inspires listeners to think differently, listen differently, and take action in their own healthcare ecosystems.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why patient engagement is personal for every member of the healthcare ecosystem
• How patient perspectives can influence business, regulatory, and clinical decisions
• The challenges and opportunities in translating patient experiences into meaningful outcomes
• Ways listeners—patients, caregivers, clinicians, and innovators—can contribute to change

Want to Share Your Voice?

If you’re a patient or caregiver, you can join Patient Voice Connect to share your experiences and help shape healthcare here.

Join our email list to get new episode updates here.

Together, we can bring more voices to the table and shape the future of healthcare.

Share this episode, leave a review, and follow Patient Voice Partners on LinkedIn to help amplify more voices.