About Us

Quick Fact

Bronchiectasis is more common in women than in men.
Source: American Lung Association

What We Do

Valueable Information

bronchiectasisinfo.org is a web site to provide information and support for patients with bronchiectasis. This site was developed by NTM Info & Research, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by and on behalf of patients with the comorbid conditions of bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.

We serve patients, healthcare providers and researchers dealing with bronchiectasis and NTM. We do so by advocating a broad agenda to promote early diagnosis, improved treatments, and research. We bring a voice to the concerns of all our constituents with government officials and agencies that guide, research, and regulate therapies developed to treat these diseases.

We have online and local support groups willing to support and inform patients. You can learn more about these groups here.

Research

NTM Info & Research recognizes the need for advancement in education and treatment of bronchiectasis. Because the majority of NTM patients also have bronchiectasis, treating both is essential. We also recognize that there are many patients who have bronchiectasis who do not have NTM infection. Many of them are susceptible to NTM and other infections.

Who We Are

TRISHA KEMP

Community Engagement Director

Patricia started at NTMir as the office administrator before moving into the role of Community Engagement Director. She came on board after many years at the corporate executive office of a Miami-based international travel and leisure company, bringing more than 35 years of experience as a manager and legal assistant with a proven record of success in providing clear communication and customer service skills, and the empathy and compassion to interact with diverse populations.

Patricia moved to South Florida from Virginia in the mid-70s when her father was stationed at Homestead Airforce Base, and currently resides in Pinecrest with her two rescue dogs, Miso and Sweetpea.

Vanessa Hevia

Office Administrator

Vanessa previously worked at a well-established Miami law firm where she handled their billing, budgeting, case load and front-facing customer service. While in school, she worked at a global company specializing in packaging and container solutions. She is also a certified medical assistant. Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her three sons and her daughter. She was born and raised in Miami, FL and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

HELGA ROSADO

Operations Director

Helga joins the team with over 20 years of non-profit public relations and event development experience. She has developed and led many successful fundraising strategies for a major rare disease organization. She has been awarded the Excel Award for Public Relations Professionals of Puerto Rico for Best Public Relations Program. She has learned about strength and perseverance by working with people with challenges due to a rare disease. With NTM Info & Research, she hopes to be able to continue to provide support and hope for patients with NTM lung disease and bronchiectasis.

PHILIP LEITMAN

Founder

Philip Leitman likes to tell people that the most important job he ever had was caring for his late wife, Fern, who was ill for nearly two decades with a complex resistant Mycobacterium Abscessus pulmonary infection.

AMY LEITMAN

President

Amy Leitman is the Director of Policy & Research. The daughter of a patient with NTM lung disease, she has spent the last decade championing the voice of the patient.

KATELYN ROZENBROEK

Development Coordinator

Katelyn joins the teams with years of non-profit development and programmatic experience. Prior to entering the non-profit world, Katelyn was an educator with the Miami-Dade County Public School system. Katelyn has earned a Master’s in Applied Sociology, and a Master’s in Education and Social Change. When not dedicated to work, Katelyn enjoys reading and spending time with her senior dachshund.