Bari Vapnek,  Columnist—

Bari Gordon Vapnek was born in New York and relocated to Florida in 1995 after graduating from the University of Delaware with a BS in Business Administration. Hired as Director of New Business Development, she married in 1997 and, a year later, was diagnosed with the rare disease, hypoparathyroidism. Unaware the implications of diagnosis, she persevered through challenging days, relying on a daily intake of calcium, her lifeline. Having to leave her career, she became a mom, managing hypoparathyroidism, and feeling isolated. In 2019, she discovered the Hypopara Association She became actively involved with the Association and assumed a position as a Board Member, pivotal support for her as she went through divorce. Bari has written and spoken publicly about her journey. She is excited to join BioNews as a columnist on hypoparathyroidism, believing her “Wings of Residence: Bari’s Brave Path with Hypoparathyroidism” can help those who feel isolated in their diagnosis.