Partnering for Better Care: Strategies for Shared Decision Making

Valarie Traynham

Valarie embarked on her myeloma journey back in 2015, and ever since she's been on a mission. As a resilient myeloma thriver, her passion lies in not just navigating her own path but also in illuminating the journey for others. With a steadfast commitment to understanding the intricacies of the disease, she champions education, shedding light on health inequities that often lurk in the shadows. Driven by a profound belief in fairness, Valarie tirelessly advocates for equitable access to top-tier healthcare, clinical trials, and tailored treatments. Her journey as a beacon of knowledge and support began when she assumed the role of a support group leader. Today, she continues to extend her hand as a myeloma coach, mentor angel, and the guiding force behind the Black Myeloma Health Community. Valarie's voice echoes far and wide as she fearlessly confronts the disparities faced by myeloma patients. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers, she strives to forge pathways to solutions, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve. Join Valarie on her journey of empowerment and advocacy as she lights the way toward a brighter, more equitable future in myeloma care.

Kim Burney

Kim Yvette Burney, BSN, RN, MSNed, OCN has been an oncology nurse for over 37 years. She obtained a Baccalaureate degree in nursing from Tuskegee University in 1988 and started her career in oncology in Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Atlanta in 1991 and continued to work in oncology at Crawford Long Hospital and worked there until the year 2000 when she began working in the outpatient setting for Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS). Kim worked there for 12 years and held several positions including infusion nurse, clinic manager and regional supervisor. In 2012, she accepted a position as manager of clinical oncology at Emory, Saint Joseph’s in Atlanta, GA. She has cared for patients with several types of malignancies throughout her career. Kim is currently employed by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine as an Oncology Clinical Educator focusing on Multiple Myeloma. Her years of experience in oncology has afforded her opportunities to speak in several different arenas including on radio stations, for churches, during lunch-n-learns at businesses, and during community events. She is the medical information director of KHRYSALIS Empowerment, Inc, a non-profit organization focusing on mental health, education, mentoring, support, and other services for the unhoused, domestic violence victims, at-risk youth, veterans, and other marginalized people in the community. Kim believes that the first and most important step in overcoming anything is education about the very thing that we are attempting to overcome. This is what drives her to provide education to the community as often as possible. “Our people perish for a lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6.