Skip to main content

2025 SCD Summit

September 17-20, 2025 | San Jose, CA

Welcome!

Mary Alcocer

Dorian Archie

Dorian Archie

Etta Carter was a member of the planning committee for the Cayenne Wellness Center Summit.

Etta Carter

Felica Calloway

Carley Cole-Cavins

Pat Corley, RN

Jody Johnson

ouise Bennett Marchbanks is a member of the planning committee for the Cayenne Wellness Center Summit.

Sheila Marchbanks

Amie Patel

Carolyn Rowley, PhD

Adrienne Shapiro is a member of the planning committee for the Cayenne Wellness Center Summit

Adrienne Shapiro

Brianna Smith

Wanda Williams

William A. Engelman, MD

William “Bill” Engelman, MD

Thank you for your interest in supporting the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit hosted by Cayenne Wellness Center (CWC). As this Summit has grown in scope, visibility, and significance within the SCD community, so have the demands associated with its successful execution.
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of all our past, present, and future sponsors whose support makes this vital event possible. Before selecting your level of sponsorship, please review our current policies below.

Important Sponsorship Policy Update:

To ensure that the Summit continues to reflect its values of equity, access, and community-centered care, we have updated our sponsorship structure:
  1. Industry Sponsorship Levels (including pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and healthcare corporations) are invited and eligible to sponsor only at the following levels:
    1. Silver;
    2. Gold;
    3. Platinum;
    4. Ruby; or
    5. Diamond.
  2. The Community Sponsorship Level is exclusively reserved for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), foundations, grassroots initiatives, and similar entities whose mission aligns with community empowerment and health equity.
These levels are designed to match the scope and scale of industry contributions and provide the appropriate visibility and engagement opportunities.
While we welcome and appreciate all forms of financial support, Cayenne Wellness Center (CWC) can no longer independently shoulder the full logistical and financial burden of the Summit. This event’s high quality, broad impact, and increasing complexity demand a collaborative approach to funding and resource sharing.
We thank you for understanding and for supporting our mission to advance care, education, and empowerment for individuals with sickle cell disease.

Please find the level of sponsorships and their benefits below:

Click here to download the 2025 Sponsorship Packet

Day 1 – Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Time Session
11:00 AM Registration Opens [San Jose Ballroom]
12:00 PM Lunch
12:30 PM Drummers and Dancers – Kuumba, LLC
12:50 PM Pain: Seen and Unseen (Video) & Scar Stories Montage
1:00 PM Thank You to Our Sponsors
1:05 PM Cassandra Trimnell – SC101
1:15 PM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness
1:30 PM Moderators – Victoria Coleman Cowger, PhD & William “Bill” Engelman, MD
1:45 PM FDA Approved Modifying Therapies – Presentations
1:50 PM Hydroxyurea – Ward Hagar, MD
2:00 PM L-Glutamine – Charles Stark, PharmD; Karen Gant, APRN FNP-BC; Kazon Neely; Steven Frankowitz
2:10 PM Red Blood Cell Exchange – Terumo – Melissa Anderson, MD
2:20 PM Community-Engaged Sickle Cell Research – Brianna Smith
2:35 PM Q & A
2:45 PM Emerging Therapies (Modifying)
2:45 PM Agios Pharmaceuticals
3:00 PM Fulcrum Therapeutics
3:15 PM Novo Nordisk
3:30 PM Q & A
3:45 PM Two FDA Approved Gene Therapies – Presentations
3:45 PM Vertex Patient Educators Overview – Jordan McDowell
4:00 PM bluebird bio Patient Educators Overview – Sheri Reed
4:15 PM Q & A
4:30 PM Emerging Curative Therapies – Presentations
4:30 PM Beam Therapeutics
4:40 PM Kamau Therapeutics
4:50 PM Q & A
5:15 PM Break
5:30 PM Dinner [San Jose Ballroom]
6:30 PM Private Screening of You Look Fine (documentary) by J Snow [San Jose Ballroom]
8:30 PM Adjourned

Day 2 – Thursday, September 18, 2025

Time Session
7:30 AM Breakfast and Registration [San Jose Ballroom]
8:30 AM Prayer – Rev. Eugene Williams III
8:35 AM Welcome – Cayenne Wellness Center – Carolyn Rowley, PhD
8:40 AM Welcome – Axis Advocates – Adrienne Shapiro
8:45 AM Mayor of San Jose
8:50 AM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness
9:00 AM Session: Community Efforts and Pain (Moderators – DeMitrious Wyant & Nivia Charles)
9:15 AM Music Therapy – Samuel Rodgers Melnicktak, MT-BC
9:45 AM The Presence Study – Kadeem Gayle, DMH, MFA
10:15 AM Advocacy Programs – Axis Advocates (Adrienne Shapiro), Sickle Cell Medical Advocacy Inc. (Simone Uwan, MD), Advancing Sickle Cell Advocacy Project (Kemba Gosier)
10:45 AM Acupuncture – Shiu-Lin Tsai, MD, FAAP [Guadalupe]
11:20 AM Cell (Breakout) Rooms
[Willow Glen 1]: Music Therapy – Samuel Rodgers Melnick, MT-BC
[Willow Glen 2]: The Presence Study – Kadeem Gayle, DMH, MFA
[Willow Glen 3]: Advocacy Programs – Axis Advocates; Sickle Cell Medical Advocacy; Advancing Sickle Cell Advocacy Project
[Guadalupe]: Acupuncture – Shiu-Lin Tsai, MD
11:55 AM Main Room [San Jose Ballroom]
12:15 PM [Salon 5 & 6] Sponsored Lunch & Learn: Vertex Gene Therapy Overview for Sickle Cell Disease – Taylor Francis
1:45 PM Session: Shift in The Management of Pain 360
1:45 PM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness [San Jose Ballroom]
2:00 PM Moderators – Adrienne Shapiro & Derek Robertson
2:15 PM Pharmacist Discussion: Moving away from what warriors know works – David Dadiomov, PharmD, BCPP
2:45 PM Q & A
3:00 PM Political & Cultural Lens on Drug Use; Non-opioid Alternatives for Acute Pain – Julie Kanter, MD
3:30 PM Q & A
3:45 PM Discussion: What if the meds don’t work and physicians’ hands are tied?
Speakers: Ayana Johnson & Stephannie Starr; Noah James & Cory Lewis; Amyre Carter & Scott Craddolph; Max Jordan Nguemeni, MD & Artangela Henry, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C, LSSYB
4:15 PM Q & A
4:30 PM Community Discussion: What have we learned? What are the takeaways?
4:45 PM Wrap Up – Pat Corley, RN
5:00 PM Celebration of Life – Sheila Marchbanks, MBA, MBA & Felicia Hunt, PsyD
6:00 PM HCP Only Dinner & Session (Doctor to Doctor: What It’s Like to Live With and Treat SCD)
6:30 PM Game Night, Danny’s Photo Booth, and Finger Food hosted by Axis Advocates [Salon 5 & 6]

Day 2 – HCP Track (Evening, Oakland)

Time Session
6:00 PM Doctor to Doctor: What It’s Like to Live With and Treat Sickle Cell?
Moderators: Amie Patel, DO & Ward Hagar, MD
6:00 PM Agios Sponsored Dinner [Scott’s, 2 Broadway, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA 94607]
6:30 PM Sickle Cell Disease Acute and Chronic Pain Management – Amie Patel, DO; Ward Hagar, MD (Moderators)
7:00 PM Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease – Titilope Fasipe, MD; Simone Uwan, MD; Donnell Ivy, MD; Tandua Washington, MD, FAAP, DABOM; Marjorie Dejoie Brewer, MD; Musonda Mwilwa, MD; Halimat Shadia-Owolobi Olaniyan, MD
8:00 PM Sickle Cell Pledge
8:10 PM Networking
8:30 PM Adjourned

Day 3 – Friday, September 19, 2025 (Daytime)

Time Session
7:30 AM Breakfast and Registration [San Jose Ballroom]
8:30 AM Prayer – Christopher Archie
8:30 AM Welcome – Marissa Dunn
8:45 AM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness
9:00 AM Stephanie Mulkey Keynote: Science of Pain – Rebecca Deans, MD (Moderator)
9:15 AM The Pathophysiology of Pain – Saranya Veluswamy
9:45 AM What is Pain? History – Madhav Vissa, MD
10:15 AM Difference between Acute, Chronic, and Neuropathic Pain (includes live poll: “Which one are you?”) – Jackie Carter, MSN, RN, CNS; Amie Patel, DO; and Sickle Cell Warriors (J Snow, Trinesha White, Herbert Carter, Angel Woods)
11:15 AM Wrap Up – Rebecca Deans, MD; Jackie Carter, MSN, RN, CNS; Amie Patel, DO
12:00 PM Lunch & Networking and Men’s Group Lunch [Willow Glen 1]
12:00 PM Fireside Chat with Community Lunch (Sponsored by Agios) [Salon 5 & 6]
1:45 PM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness [San Jose Ballroom]
2:00 PM Ten Redefined? by Hertz Nazaire. Moderator: Titilope Fasipe, MD
2:15 PM How do you report pain and express pain? – Jodian Lyn, PhD
2:45 PM Q & A
3:00 PM HCPs and their thoughts and journey with pain management and SCD – Wally Smith, MD & Osbourne Blake, MD
3:30 PM Q & A
3:45 PM What the community wants medical professionals to know about their pain and experience
(Films – 4 to 10: Before the ED and What We Want You To Know About Pain videos presented by Axis Advocates)
4:15 PM Q & A
4:30 PM Wrap Up
5:00 PM Adjourned

Day 3 – Friday, September 19, 2025 (Evening, Benefit Concert)

Time Session
6:00 PM Award Ceremony, Dinner, and Benefit Concert featuring Dee Dee Simon [Salon D] – Emcees: Ramon Reed & J Snow
6:10 PM 70+ Warriors to enter
6:15 PM Dance Performance – Ayana Johnson
6:20 PM Opening Prayer – Reverend Bonita Kitt
6:25 PM Dinner
6:35 PM Honoring 70+ SC Warriors – The Golden Experience
6:50 PM SC Warrior Artist 2025
6:55 PM SC Warrior Poet Laureate 2025
7:00 PM Stephanie Mulkey Sickle Cell Warrior Award 2025
7:05 PM Pat Corley, RN, Sickle Cell Ambassador Award 2025
7:10 PM Cage S. Johnson, MD, Sickle Cell Disease Physician Award 2025
7:15 PM Emcees (Ramon Reed & J Snow)
7:30 PM Dee Dee Simon
8:15 PM Emcees (Ramon Reed & J Snow)
8:30 PM Dee Dee Simon
9:15 PM Adjourn

Day 4 – Saturday, September 20, 2025

Time Session
8:00 AM Breakfast and Registration [San Jose Ballroom]
8:30 AM Prayer – Angel Woods
8:35 AM Summary – Brianna Smith
8:45 AM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness
9:00 AM Pat Corley Keynote: Exploring Pain Management – Kalpna Gupta, PhD (Moderator)
9:15 AM What is Pain Management? – Madhav Vissa, MD
9:45 AM Alternative & Complementary Therapies – Wanda Williams, Tayo Togba & DeMitrious Wyant
10:15 AM Success stories and spoken word – Sharl Azar, MD & DeMitrious Wyant; J Snow; Tristian Lee; Nivia Charles; Sarafina Bukirwa; Jody Johnson; Calvanay Nunley
11:15 AM Pain Management Focus Group Recruitment – Brianna Smith
11:25 AM Wrap Up
12:00 PM Sponsored Lunch & Learn by Terumo [Salon 5 & 6]
1:45 PM Sickle Cellness (Team Building) with Brain Power Wellness [San Jose Ballroom]
2:00 PM Duality of Pain – Steve Soliz & Scott Soliz (Moderators)
2:15 PM What is a Pain Plan? / Elements of an Effective Pain Plan (IPP) – Pat Corley, RN
2:45 PM The Pain Really Is That BAD!!! – J Snow; Dorian Archie; Ramon Reed; Calvanay Nunley; Nivia Charles; Renesha Curry
3:15 PM Q & A
3:30 PM Duality of Pain (maumivu) – Featuring Drumming by Kuumba, LLC
4:00 PM Down Home Fireside Chat – Supporting Families, Caregivers, and Community in Recognizing and Responding to Warrior Pain – Pat Corley, RN & Sheila Marchbanks, MBA; Felica Calloway; Carley Cole-Cavins; Christopher Archie; Ron Shapiro
4:45 PM Q & A
5:00 PM Sickle Cell Pledge
5:15 PM Adjourned

Day 5 – Sunday, September 21, 2025

Time Session
9:00 AM Breakfast with the Panthers
10:00 AM Outing
1:00 PM Return

As we continue to prepare for the upcoming event, we are working hard to identify your questions and provide answers. Check here often for new FAQs, and if you need additional assistance, email our Event Team at Events(at)CayenneWellness.org.

I’m attending the event virtually. How do I access the event?

To join the virtual event, you can either join via your web browser on a laptop/computer or mobile device, or download the event app and join sessions from within the app.

To view on computer click the link below:

Computer Link

To view on the mobile app click the link below:

Mobile App

I’m attending in-person. Can I also view sessions virtually?

Yes, you can! As long as you’re registered for the event, you can download the event app, or access the event website to view any session, from the comfort of your hotel room, or from anywhere else as long as there’s an internet connection.

To view on computer click the link below:

Computer Link

To view on the mobile app click the link below:

Mobile App

Will I need to leave a credit card?

Yes.

PLEASE READ ABOUT *INCIDENTAL HOTEL HOLD*

  • If Cayenne Wellness Center covers your rooms, the hotel will require a soft incidental hold. Don’t be alarmed. This hold will temporarily remove the money from your account but will be replaced within a few days. Please bring a credit card that can hold the fees temporarily. The fees may be as much as $100/day or more.

I am a Warrior or Caregiver. How do I book a hotel room?

If you are a Warrior or Caregiver and you’re attending the event in-person hotel is included in your in-person fee (not commuter), and you should select the in-person registration.

I need a plane or other ticket to get to the event. How do I request that?

Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of the attendee. Please contact the Cayenne staff with additional questions regarding transportation.

How do I register for the event?

You can register for the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Seminar via the Cayenne website (see the registration images above) or via the email you may have received as an invitation to register.

I made a mistake on my registration, how do I change it?

To change your registration, locate the confirmation email you received. Once located, find your confirmation number, highlight it, and click ‘control-c’. At the bottom of your email, you’ll see a “View or Modify your registration” link. Click that link, and enter your confirmation number to modify your registration:

How much does the event cost?

The price of the event depends on a number of factors, including your attendee category.

I want to register for the virtual event. How do I do that?

Registering for the virtual event is fast and easy – simply click the virtual event image shown on the page above to get started.

I want to attend in person. How do I register?

Registering for the in-person event is fast and easy – simply click the in-person event image shown on the page above to get started.

How do I cancel my registration?

To cancel your registration, locate your confirmation email, copy your confirmation number, and click the ‘View or modify your registration’ link at the bottom of the email. Once you’ve pasted your confirmation number and logged in, scroll to the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a ‘Cancel Registration’ button – click that button and follow the instructions to process your cancellation. Note that Cvent will automatically refund any fees paid directly to the form of payment you used during registration.

San Jose Marriott will be the location of the 17th Annual SCD Educational SummitThe 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit will be held at the San José Marriott.

The address is: 301 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA.

For Sickle Cell Warriors and Caregivers:

Your fee of $300.00 includes your hotel stay, meals, and registration. Please note that you will have to room with another Warrior. The Program Manager will contact you shortly after registration.

For Others:

Your registration fee does not include lodging. We ask that you contact the hotel at 408-280-1300 and book your room under the Cayenne Wellness Center block for discount pricing.

Use the link below to book your group rate for the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit!

Click Here To Access The Group Rate for the 17th Annual SCD Educational Summit

For more information, feel free to contact the Events Team. Thank you.

Celebration of Life

For questions, please get in touch with Planning Committee Member  Sheila Marchbanks.

Vertex Logo

Vertex, a global biotechnology company, is focused on developing transformative medicines for people with serious diseases by fostering meaningful relationships. Patients are at our core, and Vertex is honored to support the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit. We know that being committed to you goes beyond our science. It’s about showing up and partnering with the community to work together toward meaningful change. Through active engagement and dialogue with the Warrior community, Vertex is committed to supporting and standing with our communities as we continue to investigate and advance approaches to treating sickle cell disease.

Novo Nordisk Logo

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company committed to discovering and developing innovative medicines to help people with serious chronic conditions and rare diseases lead longer, healthier lives. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure life-threatening diseases.

Agios Logo

Agios is a biopharmaceutical company that is fueled by connections—with patient communities, healthcare professionals, partners and each other.

A special thank you to our 2025 sponsors whose support makes the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit possible.