April 14, 2025

Gene Therapy at HOC: Prepared, Professional, Personal

At Hemophilia Outreach Center, weโ€™re committed to more than just medicine โ€” weโ€™re committed to people. Gene therapy is a groundbreaking treatment, but what makes it truly meaningful are the people behind it โ€” the patients who face each day with courage, the care teams who prepare with precision, and the leaders who ensure every individual feels seen, heard, and supported.

In this video series, weโ€™re highlighting the voices of both patients and staff โ€” including Andrea, Clinical Director, APNP, and Rochelle, Lead Nurse Coordinator, RN โ€” who share how the HOC team approaches gene therapy with care, precision, and purpose to ensure every patient feels confident, supported, and safe from the very first step.

Introducing a treatment as innovative as gene therapy isnโ€™t something you do lightly. It requires more than just medical approval or access to the drug. It demands meticulous planning, unwavering precision, and a dedicated team aligned on one shared goal โ€” delivering the highest level of care possible with the safety and confidence patients deserve.

At HOC, that preparation has made all the difference.

โ€œPatients are coming in with the expectation we know what weโ€™re doing and weโ€™re going to make sure that it gets done correctly.โ€

โ€” Andrea, Clinical Director, APNP

Andrea, along with Lead Nurse Coordinator Rochelle, helped lead an intensive internal preparation process long before the first gene therapy patient arrived. They worked side by side with pharmacists, physicians, and clinical support staff to rehearse every detail โ€” from how the infusion would be administered to how emergency responses would be handled if needed. These โ€œdry runsโ€ werenโ€™t simply checklists โ€” they were simulations of the full experience, designed to ensure confidence at every step.

Every piece of the process had to be right. The drug itself is administered just once. There are no do-overs. And given the significant cost and the long-term implications of the treatment, the stakes couldnโ€™t be higher.

For Rochelle, gene therapy is more than a medical advancement โ€” itโ€™s a powerful opportunity to change the course of someoneโ€™s life. And that weight is felt by the entire care team. Each patient who walks through HOCโ€™s doors for gene therapy has placed a deep trust in us โ€” and we honor that by delivering care rooted in both clinical excellence and heartfelt compassion.

โ€œItโ€™s incredible to be able to be a part of something that is going to change somebodyโ€™s life for the better.โ€

โ€” Rochelle, Lead Nurse Coordinator, RN

A holistic mindset is what defines HOCโ€™s approach. Gene therapy isnโ€™t viewed in isolation โ€” itโ€™s woven into the larger picture of a patientโ€™s life. From emotional readiness and family involvement to post-treatment care and long-term health goals, the entire journey is shaped by one fundamental belief: you treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

Whether itโ€™s working through insurance barriers, planning follow-ups, or simply offering a listening ear on infusion day, the team at HOC is committed to ensuring patients feel informed, comfortable, and supported โ€” because this isnโ€™t just a procedure. Itโ€™s a milestone. And itโ€™s one weโ€™re honored to share with every person who chooses to take this step with us.


Looking Ahead Together

Gene therapy for hemophilia represents a new chapter in bleeding disorder care โ€” and HOC is proud to be part of that progress. But even more than that, weโ€™re proud to support our patients with the same level of commitment we always have: personalized, compassionate, full-spectrum care.

Our approach doesnโ€™t change with new treatments โ€” it evolves. We remain focused on education, partnership, and walking alongside each individual on their unique path.

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