The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “Understanding Co-Pay Accumulator Programs: What You Need to Know” – a topic that affects access to vital medications for many people, including those living with MS. Hosted by Emily Ottaggio of MSAA, we are joined by two experts in their respective fields who share their insights into how these programs work and the real-world implications for access to medications and care. Our guests are Stephanie Spence, PharmD, CSP; and Barry Hendin, MD, whose discussions we hope will provide a better understanding of these complex programs. Dr. Spence is a Certified Specialty Pharmacist who has worked with both pharmacies and doctors for more than two decades. Dr. Hendin, MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer, is an MS specialist, neurologist, and Director of the Arizona Integrated Neurology MS Center, among other credentials.

Please know that these conversations are for educational and informational purposes only. This program was made possible through the generous support of Pfizer.

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “Motherhood and MS” as part of our Family Planning with MS series. Hosted by Kate Durack, Director of MSIN Communication and Patient Focus at MSAA, this episode touches on what it is really like to navigate motherhood while living with MS. Our guests are Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, FAAFP, DipABLM; and Alyx Rossi, FNP-B. Lisa is a family and lifestyle medicine physician, author, and mother of two daughters who has been living with MS since 2009. Alyx is a neurology nurse practitioner and MS and neuro-immunology specialist with a special interest in women’s health and who is also a mother of four. During this episode, our host and guests talk about postpartum challenges, ongoing fatigue, and what exactly is “mom guilt” – all while also touching on the joy in motherhood and redefining motherhood in a way that is both healthy and realistic.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:


• MSAA Helpline – Phone: (800) 532-7667, extension 154, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Eastern.
• My MSAA Community – MSAA’s free online forum
• Previous videos on Family Planning with MS – see ”Lifestyles and Meeting the Challenges” section at MSi Online Videos

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “If I Knew Then: Reflecting on an MS Diagnosis – PART 3” as the third and final in a three-part series. Hosted by Kate Durack, Director of Communication and Patient Focus with MSAA, this program is part of MSAA’s 2025 MS Awareness Month theme – Empowered from the Start with MSAA. Our guests once again are Claude, Anita, and Lizette – a group of people living with multiple sclerosis who share their personal experiences of when they were diagnosed with MS. In this final episode in the series, you will hear the conclusion of the discussion with this panel of guests as they share more about how they have navigated their own MS journey since their diagnosis, including the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of an MS diagnosis.

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

To listen to Part 1 in this series, click here. To listen to Part 2, click here.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “If I Knew Then: Reflecting on an MS Diagnosis – PART 2” as the second in a three-part series. Hosted by Kate Durack, Director of Communication and Patient Focus with MSAA, this program is part of MSAA’s 2025 MS Awareness Month theme – Empowered from the Start with MSAA. Our guests are a group of people living with multiple sclerosis who share their personal experiences of when they were diagnosed with MS: Claude, Anita, and Lizette. In this episode, you’ll hear the first part of a roundtable discussion where our panel shares the lessons they’ve learned, the challenges they’ve faced, and what they wish they had known when they were first diagnosed.

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

To listen to Part 1 in this series, click here. To listen to Part 3, click here.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “If I Knew Then: Reflecting on an MS Diagnosis – PART 1” as the first in a three-part series. Hosted by Kate Durack, Director of Communication and Patient Focus with MSAA, this program is part of MSAA’s 2025 MS Awareness Month theme – Empowered from the Start with MSAA. Our guest, MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer Barry Hendin, MD, is a neurologist and Director of the Arizona Integrated Neurology MS Center, among other credentials. In this episode, Dr. Hendin discusses important areas to focus on for individuals who are newly diagnosed with MS, how to communicate with one’s healthcare team, and the importance of emotional well-being.

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

To listen to Part 2 in this series, click here. To listen to Part 3, click here.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “Social Interactions and Connections” as the third and final one in a three-part series entitled “Finding Joy in the Process: Managing Mental Health in the MS Journey.” This program is part of MSAA’s 2024 MS Awareness Month theme – Improving Lives Through Supportive Connections. Our guest, Amy B. Sullivan, PsyD, ABPP, is a behavioral medicine specialist and an Associate Professor of Medicine along with being the Director of Behavioral Medicine & Research at the Mellen Center for MS. In this episode, Dr. Sullivan discusses how MS impacts daily routines, relationships, and social life and the benefit of social interactions and connections when someone is managing mental health and MS.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

To listen to Part 1, click here. To listen to Part 2, click here.

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “The Power of Positive Thinking” as the second in a three-part series entitled “Finding Joy in the Process: Managing Mental Health in the MS Journey.” This program is part of MSAA’s 2024 MS Awareness Month theme – Improving Lives Through Supportive Connections. Our guest, Amy B. Sullivan, PsyD, ABPP, is a behavioral medicine specialist and an Associate Professor of Medicine along with being the Director of Behavioral Medicine & Research at the Mellen Center for MS. In this episode, Dr. Sullivan speaks about coming to terms with living with MS and how using positivity as a coping strategy could improve one’s quality of life.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

To listen to Part 1, click here. To listen to Part 3, click here.

For a transcript of this program, please click here
Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to present our podcast episode “Mental Health and MS” as the first in a three-part series entitled “Finding Joy in the Process: Managing Mental Health in the MS Journey.” This program is part of MSAA’s 2024 MS Awareness Month theme – Improving Lives Through Supportive Connections. Our guest, Amy B. Sullivan, PsyD, ABPP, is a behavioral medicine specialist and an Associate Professor of Medicine along with being the Director of Behavioral Medicine & Research at the Mellen Center for MS. In this episode, Dr. Sullivan discusses such issues as common symptoms that impact mental health, advice for someone that might be experiencing a mental health challenge, and strategies that could help to cope with mental health in one’s MS journey.

This episode was produced and recorded at Gradwell House Recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. Music provided by The New Anxiety (Tim Recuber and John Masino III).

For a transcript of this program, please click here.

Para obtener una transcripción de este programa en español, haga clic aquí.

To listen to Part 2, click here. To listen to Part 3, click here.

MSAA strives to provide useful, up-to-date information, on matters of concern to MS patients and their families. This material is intended for general informational purposes only, and it does not constitute medical advice. You should not use the information presented as a means of diagnosis or for determining treatment. For diagnosis and treatment options, you are urged to consult your physician.