In our last episode of Season 6 of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Cat Eustace, a dedicated burn care professional and current Outpatient Burn Clinic Supervisor. We start our conversation by learning how Cat got involved in burn care and how her love for our community has developed over the years. 🏥❤️

Together, and thanks to today's podcast sponsor, Mölnlycke Health Care, we delve into the art and science of burn wound dressing changes, exploring best practices and innovations that make a difference in healing. 🩺 Cat also offers invaluable advice for preventing burnout in burn care, emphasizing the importance of self-care and support networks.

Whether you're a survivor, caregiver, or burn care professional, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring stories to empower and uplift. 🫶 Tune in to learn how Cat's expertise transforms the lives of those in the burn community!

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Catherine Eustace first worked in the music industry at a major record label. When her now husband was hit by a car and required surgery and full-time care during his recovery, she quit the music industry to take care of him. That resulted in changing careers to become a nurse.

After getting her BSN from the University of Miami, Catherine worked for years in the ER, then transitioned to Burn care 7 years ago. The Burn ICU was not in the plan, but after starting, she didn’t want to work anywhere else!

Over the last few years, she took over the Outpatient Burn Clinic and has enjoyed the transition. Getting to educate patients, working with burn patients of all ages, and doing community outreach as well.

She is married with two small children and lives in the Los Angeles suburbs with her family and 13-year-old terrier, Marshall.

• Learn more about Mölnlycke Health Care and their power of gentle campaign.
• Download our 2023 State of the Survivor report, which highlights pain and anxiety burn survivors face daily.
• Watch “Advocating for the Burn Survivor Patient” with Joey Lavallee on YouTube.
• Listen to “Advocating for the Burn Survivor Patient” with Joey Lavallee on Apple Podcasts.

Today’s podcast is powered by Mölnlycke Health Care! Mölnlycke is a world-leading MedTech company that specializes in innovative solutions for wound care and surgical procedures. Mölnlycke products and solutions are used daily by hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients in over 100 countries around the world.

Mölnlycke Health Care’s advanced wound care dressings are enabled by Safetac® technology, a gentle silicone adhesive that reduces pain and minimizes skin trauma of burn survivors at dressing change. For more information about burn care solutions, you can visit their website at https://www.molnlycke.us/solutions/burns/.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we’re honored to sit down with Dr. Tam Pham, the Program Director at the University of Washington Medicine Regional Burn Center. Dr. Pham opens up about his personal journey when he sustained a burn as a young child. Rachel and Dr. Pham discuss the topic of imposter syndrome among some burn survivors and caregivers, highlighting that while we may not all have physical scars, we do all carry emotional ones.

Dr. Pham also shares the critical role of aftercare and support services in helping survivors reclaim their lives and thrive beyond their injuries. He also reflects on his connection with Grace Athena Flott, a local artist, fellow survivor, and former patient, whose powerful artwork he proudly displays in their burn clinic.

This episode is a moving tribute to the resilience of the burn community, the power of support, and the art of turning pain into purpose. Don’t miss this inspiring and heartfelt conversation!

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Dr. Tam Pham is a highly accomplished surgeon specializing in burn and trauma care, with extensive academic and clinical experience. Currently, he is a professor and director of the University of Washington Medicine Regional Burn Center at Harborview Medical Center.

A graduate of the University of California, Dr. Pham pursued rigorous postgraduate training, including a General Surgery residency, and fellowships in burn care and surgical critical care at the University of Washington. His academic contributions are significant, with numerous published research papers, including studies on critical care and telemedicine applications in burn care.

Dr. Pham has also been honored with numerous awards and is dedicated to advancing burn care. He has volunteered internationally as well as holds board certifications and is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Burn Association.

• Watch Dr. Rob Cartotto’s Girls with Grafts podcast episode on YouTube.
• Watch Grace Athena Flott’s Girls with Grafts podcast episode on YouTube.
• Learn more about Grace’s recent selection to create Governor Jay Inslee's official portrait.
• Learn more about Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery).

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Sprinkler Association! NFSA aims to protect lives and property through the advancement of fire sprinklers. Learn more about fire sprinklers, fire advocacy, and how to get involved by visiting nfsa.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In today's episode of Girls with Graft, we’re honored to feature Alexi Pyles—a burn survivor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Alexi's journey began halfway around the world when she was just six months old, and her experiences have fueled a lifelong passion for helping others.

Join us as we dive into Alexi's career as a therapist, her invaluable advice for fellow survivors considering therapy, and her reflections on what it truly means to be "healed." We also explore her love for stunts and gymnastics, her expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and how creativity plays a vital role in the healing process.

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Alexi Pyles is a child burn survivor. She was burned at six months old with second and third degree scald burns on her neck and chest. Alexi was abandoned by her parents shortly after the incident. She stayed in an orphanage until the age of two when she was adopted by a single parent mother who brought her back to the states. Alexi doesn't have any memories of her burns, other than what was told. She received extensive burn care from the ages of three to her teens. Due to the lack of immediate care, Alexi did not have the typical burn treatment like skin grafts, expanders, or spending time in a hyperbaric chamber. She had steroidal injections, pressure garments, stitching, and lasers.

Today, Alexi is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) with a speciality in DBT therapy modality and trauma informed care. She has worked in many mental health settings including residential, IOP/PHP, hospital, and low acuity outpatient. She currently works for Kaiser Permanente as a psychiatric social worker focusing on their high acuity cases by connecting them to higher levels of care. During her free time, Alexi likes to do stunts and acting, gymnastics, going on hikes especially the beaches and anything creative.

• Learn more about DBT therapy.
• Sign up for Phoenix Society’s virtual support group.
• Explore all of Phoenix Society’s support offerings.
• Read “Painting Through the Darkness,” Painting Through the Darkness.
• Read “Controlling the Internal Flames,” written by Alexi Pyles.
• Read “Tackling Self-Sabotage,” written by Alexi Pyles.

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Protection Association! NFPA is a nonprofit that seeks to save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, & passion. Learn more about fire safety and explore their educational resources by visiting www.nfpa.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.