Our origin story
Deborah Kan, Being Patient founder with her mother Alvera.
When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, journalist Deborah Kan found that there was no single place she could go, free of bias, to help her understand the research. She decided to leave her career as an executive producer at the Wall Street Journal and develop a game plan to reimagine reporting on brain health and dementia.
She launched Being Patient — a destination for trusted journalism on neurodegenerative diseases and brain health conditions, and a community platform where all the leading voices in the conversation about brain health could come together: neurologists and researchers, pharmaceutical and biotech innovators, caregiving experts, and the people who know the disease best of all: those living with it.
Today, Being Patient has become global media organization with millions of readers in more than 200 countries.
Meet the team
CEO, Founder and Executive Editor
Head of Legal and Partnerships
Editor
Deborah Kan
Founder & Executive Editor
Deborah Kan is an award-winning journalist and founder of Being Patient, a platform she launched after her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis to bridge the gap between patients and science. A former executive producer at The Wall Street Journal, she led multimedia expansion across Asia and broke major stories, including Google’s criticism of the NSA. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Deborah has interviewed global leaders and covered landmark events like the New York Philharmonic’s visit to North Korea. Outside of work, she’s a mom of three and an avid runner.
“When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I found a lot of answers through talking to people with a diagnosis. Their insights, as well as access to experts in science made me feel more in control of Alzheimer’s. As a journalist, I knew that creating a trusted source could change the ecosystem between patients and science. Hence, Being Patient was born.”
“When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I found a lot of answers through talking to people with a diagnosis. Their insights, as well as access to experts in science made me feel more in control of Alzheimer’s. As a journalist, I knew that creating a trusted source could change the ecosystem between patients and science. Hence, Being Patient was born.”
Julie Miller
Head of Legal and Partnerships
Julie is responsible for overseeing all legal, compliance, and governance matters for Being Patient. A seasoned corporate attorney with over 20 years of experience, she ensures the company’s legal strategy supports its mission, drawing on her extensive background from top-tier international law firms and in-house/consultancy roles, including work in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York. She holds both a J.D. and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Davis, providing a unique blend of legal expertise and strategic business acumen to ensure the platform’s integrity and stability as it scales its impact. Julie spends her time outside of work with her husband and two daughters, jogging, reading, and walking her dogs.
“Working at Being Patient has taught me how critical the foundation of trust is when navigating the complex realities of brain health. The legal framework isn’t just about rules; it’s the invisible structure that ensures our journalism is evidence-based, and our data is protected, and our community can rely completely on the resources we provide to make informed, life-changing decisions.”
“Working at Being Patient has taught me how critical the foundation of trust is when navigating the complex realities of brain health. The legal framework isn’t just about rules; it’s the invisible structure that ensures our journalism is evidence-based, and our data is protected, and our community can rely completely on the resources we provide to make informed, life-changing decisions.”
Dana Ward
Head of Audience, Insights, and Engagement
Dana is a strategic business leader with over 25 years of experience scaling technology companies and driving digital transformation in healthcare and patient advocacy. At Genentech, she led initiatives to improve patient experience and digital engagement, and as VP & GM Products at Food Allergy Research & Education, she spearheaded an innovative data commons combining clinical and patient-reported data. As General Manager at Zoomerang (now SurveyMonkey), she grew the SaaS market research startup to $25MM in annual revenue. Currently, as Head of Research and Analytics at Being Patient, she designs and conducts patient-focused market research and authors comprehensive reports that help inform healthcare decisions. When not working, Dana enjoys being active outside, traveling to new places and visiting her three children.
“Being Patient has given me greater insight into the nuances of brain health issues and neurodegenerative disease and how difficult it is for patients and caregivers to find answers to their questions. BP provides those answers with a thoughtful approach, providing a place for members to feel a sense of ease and community.”
“Being Patient has given me greater insight into the nuances of brain health issues and neurodegenerative disease and how difficult it is for patients and caregivers to find answers to their questions. BP provides those answers with a thoughtful approach, providing a place for members to feel a sense of ease and community.”
Hussain Shah
Marketing and Growth Strategy
For the past 20 years, Hussain has been innovating in hyper-competitive markets. During this time, he has successfully led marketing departments ranging from startups to global, publicly traded companies. His expertise encompasses strategy to tactical execution of marketing programs for product and service offerings.
“Working with Being Patient has taught me that Alzheimer’s doesn’t affect just the individual—it ripples through entire communities, touching family members, friends, and colleagues alike. This shared experience is precisely why we must come together as a community to learn from one another, raise awareness, and unite in the search for a cure. When we understand that Alzheimer’s is a collective challenge, we can harness our collective strength to face it.”
“Working with Being Patient has taught me that Alzheimer’s doesn’t affect just the individual—it ripples through entire communities, touching family members, friends, and colleagues alike. This shared experience is precisely why we must come together as a community to learn from one another, raise awareness, and unite in the search for a cure. When we understand that Alzheimer’s is a collective challenge, we can harness our collective strength to face it.”
Lauren Fetten
Chief of Staff
Lauren works at the intersection of editorial and business operations at Being Patient. She leads strategic initiatives, ensures the execution of client projects, and helps to establish new community partnerships in addition to covering stories. She earned a B.S. in Economics from Scripps College in Claremont, California.
“Being Patient makes the latest health information accessible and understandable to wider audiences, empowering people to make decisions about their health by being informed. Working on the team has helped me see how to grow a platform ten-fold by keeping relationships with the Being Patient community at the center.”
“Being Patient makes the latest health information accessible and understandable to wider audiences, empowering people to make decisions about their health by being informed. Working on the team has helped me see how to grow a platform ten-fold by keeping relationships with the Being Patient community at the center.”
Joseph Lin
AI Specialist
Joseph is an instructional designer and EdTech specialist. He works with universities, schools, and companies to transfer the latest pedagogical insights from journals into classrooms. As an APOE4 carrier with a grandfather who passed with Alzheimer’s, he is dedicated to facilitating the spread of knowledge and insights about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and brain health.
“Being Patient helps me understand my brain.”
“Being Patient helps me understand my brain.”
Alexandra Marvar
Managing Editor
Alex is the managing editor at Being Patient, where she oversees all our coverage — and occasionally, contributes to it herself — of brain health research and the personal stories that bring science to life. A freelance journalist, her long-form, print features have appeared in The New York Times, WSJ Magazine, The Believer and elsewhere. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in anthropology and attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, bringing her background in storytelling to her reporting and editorial leadership. She co-founded the O+ Festival, an arts and health nonprofit that enables artists and musicians to exchange their work for medical and dental care from art-loving healthcare providers.
“Being Patient has introduced me to a new perspective on health guidance. Hype is pervasive. Journalists have the power—and the responsibility—to help the public cut through misinformation and noise.”
“Being Patient has introduced me to a new perspective on health guidance. Hype is pervasive. Journalists have the power—and the responsibility—to help the public cut through misinformation and noise.”
Michael Howerton
Editor
Michael Howerton is a writer and editor who has served as editorial director of The diaTribe Foundation, the editor in chief of the San Francisco Examiner and founding editor in chief of Granite Media. He has worked at the Wall Street Journal, The Daily, Forbes and other publications. He has a master’s in Journalism from Columbia University and a master’s in English Composition from San Francisco State. He has taught journalism and writing at UC Berkeley, The College of New Jersey and Florence University of the Arts. He is also a fiction writer and a novice potter.
“Being Patient weaves science, evidence-based journalism and human empathy into a resource that guides readers through the fascinating, and at times daunting, realities of brain health. I’m thrilled to part of a team that’s seeking to foster better understanding, connection and care through sharing personal stories, expert insights, and the latest research.”
“Being Patient weaves science, evidence-based journalism and human empathy into a resource that guides readers through the fascinating, and at times daunting, realities of brain health. I’m thrilled to part of a team that’s seeking to foster better understanding, connection and care through sharing personal stories, expert insights, and the latest research.”
Simon Spichak, MSc
Chief Scientific Reporter
Simon Spichak finished his MSc at University College Cork, where he studied the interactions between the microbes in the gut and the brain. He became interested in science communication during his studies and won a national competition called FameLab in 2020. Since then, he has been covering stories in science and tech. His writing has been published in Time Health, Futurism, The Debrief, Massive Science, Biospace, and elsewhere. He is the founder of a Canadian mental health company called Resolvve that proves therapy to students in high school and university.
“Being Patient has taught me the importance of empowering patients, caregivers, and the general public with accurate information.”
“Being Patient has taught me the importance of empowering patients, caregivers, and the general public with accurate information.”
Antonia Gallagher
Business Development Associate and Live Talks Producer
Antonia Gallagher is a Production Assistant and Business Development Associate. She co-produces all Live Talks and supports a range of business development initiatives that help grow the platform’s impact. Antonia earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from Santa Clara University. She was drawn to Being Patient’s mission after her grandmother’s diagnosis with dementia and is passionate about contributing to work that supports patients and caregivers.
“Working at Being Patient has taught me just how powerful community can be. Its impact on patients and caregivers is truly transformative.”
“Working at Being Patient has taught me just how powerful community can be. Its impact on patients and caregivers is truly transformative.”
Tori Donnelly
Social Media Manager
Tori is the driving force behind Being Patient’s social presence. With her storytelling skills and content creation expertise, Tori manages the company’s social media channels, ensuring that Being Patient’s message resonates with the audience.
Tori has gained extensive experience in the social media realm, having worked for a variety of companies, including Creative Housing Solutions, KP Acoustics, WorkClub and Upflex.
Beyond her professional work, Tori is a mother of three littles, and an explorer of the world.
“Throughout my time at Being Patient, I’ve seen how human-centered storytelling can truly shift perspectives. The voices of our community don’t just inform — they empower others and help shape how we work.”
“Throughout my time at Being Patient, I’ve seen how human-centered storytelling can truly shift perspectives. The voices of our community don’t just inform — they empower others and help shape how we work.”
Mark Niu
Writer and Video Producer
Mark Niu is a reporter and video producer for Being Patient, with over 30 years of experience covering global events. He’s reported on major summits and historic moments, including the 1997 Hong Kong handover and President Clinton’s visit to Vietnam. Mark has worked with networks like National Geographic, PBS, FOX, and NBC, and received a Human Rights Press Award from Amnesty International for his investigative reporting.
Previously a news anchor in Hong Kong and Wisconsin, Mark is also a playwright and filmmaker. His play Juche Rules was staged in Los Angeles and his films have won awards at international festivals.
“As a caregiver, I found it incredibly lonely searching through confusing information on Alzheimer’s. At Being Patient, I’m glad to be working with a team that simplifies the latest research and seeks out voices from the community to learn, grow, and inspire.”
“As a caregiver, I found it incredibly lonely searching through confusing information on Alzheimer’s. At Being Patient, I’m glad to be working with a team that simplifies the latest research and seeks out voices from the community to learn, grow, and inspire.”
Ashley Chan
Marketing and Graphics Manager
Ashley Chan is a Hong Kong-based digital marketing freelancer who oversees Being Patient’s social media, graphic design and video editing. A graduate from Lancaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Ashley is grateful to be part of an online community like Being Patient in helping people living with dementia, like her grandmother, and their families navigate the illness.
“Working here has deepened my understanding of my grandma’s journey with Alzheimer’s, allowing me to honor her memory and appreciate her strength even on the toughest days.”
“Working here has deepened my understanding of my grandma’s journey with Alzheimer’s, allowing me to honor her memory and appreciate her strength even on the toughest days.”
Adiya Ualiyeva
Learning Platform Producer & Graphic Designer
Adiya is a Biomedical Sciences graduate from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a freelance contributor to Being Patient, she creates interactive Alzheimer’s and dementia guides and develops visually engaging graphics.
Her background in medical writing and design helps bridge the gap between complex science and clear, accessible information. Through her work, she aims to support patients and their families by making brain health science more understandable and enjoyable.
“The most important insight I’ve gained is that Alzheimer’s or dementia is never just an individual journey — it’s a family experience. What surprised me most is how much caregivers need care and guidance, too. Truly supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia means supporting entire families, not just the individuals diagnosed.”
“The most important insight I’ve gained is that Alzheimer’s or dementia is never just an individual journey — it’s a family experience. What surprised me most is how much caregivers need care and guidance, too. Truly supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia means supporting entire families, not just the individuals diagnosed.”
