fbpx
SIL-Logo_white-secondary
Search
Close this search box.

the podcast

150 – May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month with Eleni Tsigas

Erica Michelle

Did you know that Preeclampsia is a leading cause of Maternal Mortality and prematurity? 

Did you know that black birthing persons are 3x more likely to die from Preeclampsia?

Today’s episode is a special one because its our 150th episode!  Can you believe it?  We made it to 150!  In honor of our 150th episode I had the pleasure of interviewing the CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation Eleni Tsigas. A little background on Eleni, is the CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation and member of the Board of Directors for Preeclampsia Foundation Canada. As a preeclampsia survivor herself, Eleni is a relentless champion for the improvement of patient and provider education and practices, for the catalytic role that patients can have to advance the science and status of maternal-infant health, and for the progress that can be realized by building global partnerships to improve patient outcomes. In this episode Eleni shares her personal preeclampsia story, how we can support May which is Preeclampsia awareness month, and why taking your blood pressure at is critical for pregnant ladies/birthing persons in this COVID-19 climate.  We also share how we met, connected and how Sisters in Loss has partnered with Preeclampsia Foundation on maternal mortality and racial disparities.  This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced preeclampsia, want to know how to partner with the preeclampsia foundation, and why blood pressures are critical during pregnancy.

Eleni Tsigas’ Bio

Eleni Z. Tsigas is the CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation and member of the Board of Directors for Preeclampsia Foundation Canada. As a preeclampsia survivor herself, Eleni is a relentless champion for the improvement of patient and provider education and practices, for the catalytic role that patients can have to advance the science and status of maternal-infant health, and for the progress that can be realized by building global partnerships to improve patient outcomes.

She has served on the Guideline Development Group and as a technical advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and participated in the Hypertension in Pregnancy Task Force created by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to develop the national guidelines introduced in 2013, as well as a similar task force for the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). Eleni also serves on behalf of the Preeclampsia Foundation as a voting member of the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care, the Patient Advisory Board of IMPROvED (IMproved PRegnancy Outcomes via Early Detection), Ireland, and the Technical Advisory Group and Knowledge Translation Committee for PRE-EMPT (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Eleni is frequently engaged as an expert representing the consumer perspective on preeclampsia at national and international meetings, and has been honored to deliver keynote addresses for several professional healthcare providers’ societies.

Eleni has collaborated in numerous research studies, has authored invited chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals, and is the Principal Investigator for The Preeclampsia Registry.

A veteran of public relations, she has secured media coverage about preeclampsia in national consumer magazines, as well as newspapers, radio and online. Eleni previously spent 8 years executing and managing strategic communications and public relations for technology and biotech companies with Waggener Edstrom Worldwide and for 6 years prior in the television industry.

Prior to serving as CEO, she served in a variety of volunteer capacities for the organization, including six years on the Board of Directors, two as its chairman. Working with dedicated volunteers, board members and professional staff, Eleni has helped lead the Foundation to its current position as a sustainable, mission-driven, results-oriented organization.

She is married, and has two of her three pregnancies seriously impacted by preeclampsia.

Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Here

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here

Living Water Doula Services

Book Recommendations and Links Below

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community

Sisters in Loss Instagram

Sisters in Loss Facebook

Sisters in Loss Twitter

You can follow Erica on Social

Erica’s Website

Erica’s Instagram

Erica’s Facebook

Erica’s Twitter

Did you like this episode? Give us a Review!

Keep Listening

Join the sisters in
loss community

Dive deeper in discussions of the episodes, chat with episode guests, and ask questions around Grief, Loss, Marriage, Faith, and Self Care.

Follow us

Living Waters Doula Service

A Doula is a non-clinically trained support person who provides emotional, physical and informational assistance before, during, and after childbirth.

Free Download

Download this 7 day guide to speak over yourself as you grieve and heal.