Jerry Cahill interviews Amy Purdy


Amy Purdy has been a social worker at Saint Vincent’s CF Center, in New York City, for over 8 years and “loves helping people�

• Amy grew up in Long Island, NY
• SUNY Albany undergraduate degree
• Adelphi University graduate degree in Social Work
• St. Vincent’s has over 170 cystic fibrosis patients where Amy works full time for the center.
• Amy has great relationships with her patients and knows “what there favorite flavor is in bubble gumâ€?
• Amy deals with various issues including; medical insurance, medication compliance, educating families on CF, transplant issues, and “just being thereâ€? for the patientsâ€?.
• Amy states: “Teen years are critical for medication/therapy compliance, as this sets the stage for your future healthâ€?.
• St. Vincent’s has a “phone a friendâ€? program for CF teens to speak to adults with CF
• Amy’s goal: “Take the burden off the young adults by becoming like a personal assistantâ€?
• Amy’s advice to families: “Use ALL the resources at your CF Centerâ€?

I just received my new T-shirt that says "CF Sucks" and it does...
I have been on iv antibiotics for over 4 weeks and still have a lot of congestion... I am at the point these medications don't work - WE NEED NEW DRUGS!!!