NE Young Professionals' Committee

Overview

The Young Professionals’ (YP) Committee is a working committee of young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s who further the mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

The goal of the Young Professionals Committee is to increase awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis among young professionals and the IBD community overall, to raise funds to find a cure for these diseases, and to provide quality education and support services for patients.

What We Do

We have monthly social meet-ups, virtual monthly committee meetings, and planning our annual summer Young Professionals’ event. The Young Professionals’ (YP) Committee also participates in and volunteers for New England Chapter events.

The Crohn's & Colitis New England Chapter's YP Committee offers an opportunity to be an emerging leader in the mission to find a cure for those living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

As a community of New England-based young IBD patients and allies, we connect to support one another and spread IBD awareness through fundraising, education, and advocacy.

The Committee offers its members the opportunity to contribute in a way that is meaningful for them. We welcome your unique skill set to the committee to help raise funds, awareness, and learn about special event planning, fundraising, development, and social networking.  These are vital skills for the Chapter’s Board members and volunteer leaders.

How To Get Involved

Email Maryann Zschau at [email protected] to set up a phone call. This introductory call will give you an overview of the different ways to get involved with the New England Chapter and help you choose the best fit for you! 

After your phone call you will have the opportunity to officially join the YP Committee!

 

Steps To Join the YP Committee:

1. Contact Maryann to join so you are correctly added to our internal system

2. Set up a fundraising page connected to one of the New England Chapter events (YP event, Take Steps walk, etc.) 

3. Pay the $25/year dues (collected in the fall.)

Stay Connected

Join our Young Professionals' Facebook group here.

Meetings

Meetings take place over Zoom in order to accommodate everyone's time and make meetings as accessible as possible. Newcomers are always welcome! You are more than welcome to let Hannah know you're joining a meeting, but you absolutely do not have to, many people just show up! We always have introductions to kickoff our meetings because each call usually has multiple new members in attendance. We also hold monthly social meet-ups that everyone is welcome to attend!

 

Questions? Email, text, or call Maryann at [email protected] or 646-866-9603

 

Pay Your Dues

$25/year dues are required to become an listed member of the New England Young Professionals' Committee. 

 

A look into our past virtual events! 

 

 

2020 A Night in for the Cure

2021 Stories from the Gut

In 2021, Stories from the Gut was an in-home experience, full of entertainment and inspiration, put on by our Young Professionals' Committee! In the summer of 2021 guests were able to enjoy this one of a kind experience virtually, from the comfort of their homes.

Our revamped summer event brought together young professionals, friends, and family for an energetic, funny, and inspirational night of fun to support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. From hilarious SNL inspired skits to heartwarming stories of tenacity from the IBD community, the 2021 Stories from the Gut will take your breath away like never before.  


In 2023, we honored two amazing leaders in the IBD community, Dr. Bharati Kochar and Jamie Horrigan:

Dr. Bharati Kochar

2023 Rising Healthcare Leader
Nominated and chosen by our New England Chapter Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC)

Jamie Horrigan

2023 Rising Community Leader
Nominated and chosen by our New England Chapter volunteers
Bharati Kochar is a gastroenterologist and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Investigator at The Mongan Institute and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. After medical school at Brown University, she trained in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and did a GI fellowship as well as advanced fellowship in IBD at the University of North Carolina. She also obtained a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dr. Kochar is interested in advancing the care and quality of life for under-served and under-studied patients with IBD, including older adults. After the completion of training, she received a Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation career development award. Subsequently she obtained funding from the National Institute of Aging and currently leads a multi-site study to characterize geriatric syndromes in older adults with IBD funded by the CCF clinical research alliance. Dr. Kochar is a member of the CCF’s National Scientific Advisory Committee and is a co-chair of the CCF Clinical Research Investigator-Initiated Awards committee. Jamie Horrigan is a passionate Crohn's disease advocate who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in college, just before starting medical school. She has been involved with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation since the time of her diagnosis. Through her journey with Crohn's disease, Jamie discovered the powerful impact of nutrition and lifestyle on her wellbeing, which motivated her to start her Instagram @sweetenedbynature to both see what others were cooking and share what she was cooking. Her Instagram followers wanted more, which prompted her to start a blog, sweetenedbynatureblog.com, where she shares healthy recipes, lifestyle tips, and more to help those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) live their healthiest lives. Jamie spends much of her time at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center where she works as a 3rd year internal medicine resident. She works alongside the GI department, helping to further research in IBD with her mentors. She is about to start her chief resident year and will be applying to gastroenterology fellowship this summer. Jamie is excited to continue learning about nutrition, advocating for those with IBD, and working towards her goal of becoming an IBD specialist.