Ostomy Academy
Education for Every Ostomate
All Are Welcome To Join Us
Our Next Presentation:
Special Edition Ostomy Academy: Cultural Influences on Ostomy Life – Celebrating World Ostomy Day 2025
UOAA is broadcasting this special edition of Ostomy Academy for World Ostomy Awareness Day 2025 with our community partners: SAIA, Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses and Cheeky Charity.
Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 12:00 Noon Eastern Time (11:00 am CT, 10:00 am MT, 9:00 am PT)
As we come together to celebrate World Ostomy Day on Saturday, October 4th, UOAA’s Ostomy Academy will spotlight stories of cultural influences on ostomy life to promote better understanding and awareness.
Ostomy surgery and conditions like IBD can come with stigma. In this conversation, we’ll address the unique challenges people may face within their communities—based on their ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or gender—and explore the support systems that can help. Join us to share, learn, and connect.
Our panelists will include Dr. Neilanjan Nandi, MD, FACP; Tina Aswani-Omprakash, MPH, Daniel Garza, Ashley Turner and D’andre Hardy.
Ostomy Academy is a free online educational seminar to bring trusted and comprehensive ostomy information to all members of the ostomy community. Top experts, medical professionals, and experienced ostomates will focus on a new series of quality of life topics in each presentation.
Register Today for the Next Ostomy Academy Presentation
Our Speakers
Tina Aswani-Omprakash
MPH
Tina Aswani-Omprakash, MPH is a multi award-winning women’s health advocate based out of New York City. Tina pivoted from Wall Street to a path of impactful change in healthcare after her own inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis and life-saving ostomy surgery. Due to the stigmas and disparities she faced in her own journey with multiple digestive diseases and autoimmune conditions, she started a blog and social media advocacy platform called Own Your Crohn’s, which brought to light cultural determinants related to GI care and access and went viral across patient communities. Her pathbreaking advocacy brought together multiple patient advocates and clinicians, eventually leading to the formation of South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA), a patient-clinician led non-profit organization where she serves as CEO working to improve education and awareness in the growing South Asian IBD community.
Neilanjan Nandi
MD, FACP
Dr. Nandi is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania where he focuses on the management of complex Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Dr. Nandi is a founding non-profit board member and Chair of the South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA) which elevates culturally competent care in South Asian IBD. He also serves on the medical advisory board of the United Ostomy Associates of America (UOAA), and coordinates outreach on the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Patient Care Committee.
Dr. Nandi’s passions include fitness, cooking, virtual reality gaming, reading and dancing.
D’andre Hardy
Founder of The Seen Society
D’andre Hardy is a 25-year Crohn’s Disease, Ostomate, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa thriver dedicated to health advocacy and inclusive practices for people with invisible illnesses. As founder of The Seen Society, she equips individuals with career and business tools to maximize employability through an asset-based lens while partnering with organizations to create intentional, inclusive environments. She offers career coaching, keynote talks, and organizational workshops that empower individuals and workplaces to thrive.
Daniel G. Garza
Founder of LilMesican Productions Inc.
Daniel G. Garza is an advocate, entertainer, and founder of LilMesican Productions Inc., a social enterprise uplifting Latinx, LGBTQIA2S, and health-challenged communities through storytelling, coaching, and humor. As a Reiki Master and certified Life Coach, Daniel blends spiritual insight with playful empowerment. He is the Director of Advocacy for Cheeky Charity, raising awareness around anal and colorectal cancer, using his voice to educate, destigmatize, and inspire.
Ashley Turner
IT Professional & Speaker
Ashley Turner is an IT professional and speaker in Atlanta, Georgia, known as the "IT girl." She turned her struggles with chronic digestive issues into inspiration for others.
After 14 years of health challenges, including a total colectomy and ostomy, she was diagnosed with Crohn‘s disease in 2022. As an advocate for the ostomy and mental health communities, Ashley understands the impact of illness on individuals and their pets, especially as a fur mom to a dog with Crohn’s.
She believes illness doesn‘t define us and encourages others to embrace life fully. Ashley’s journey exemplifies perseverance and hope, with a future focused on making a positive impact.
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Video Recordings of Past Ostomy Academy Installments
October 3, 2025: Cultural Influences on Ostomy Life
May 21, 2025: Aging with an Ostomy or Continent Diversion – How to be Prepared
January 15, 2025: Reflections in the Mirror- Body Image
November 19, 2024: Mental Health for Ostomates- Adjusting to Life with an Ostomy
September 17, 2024: Sexuality, Intimacy and Reproductive Health for Ostomates
May 15, 2024: Bridging the Gap in Ostomy Nutrition
March 12, 2024: Parastomal Hernia
October 24, 2023: Medical Insurance & Supplies Coverage
June 21, 2023: Summer Travel Tips and the Ultimate Guide to UOAA’s National Conference.
March 28, 2023: Foundations for Recovering from Ostomy Surgery
April 26, 2022: Leaks, Tweaks, and Peeks
January 12, 2022: New Year, New Mindset: Mental Health, Ostomy and Chronic Illness
Sept 14, 2021: Navigating Life with an Ostomy
June 9, 2021: Total Body Ostomy Health
Register Today for Future Installments
Upcoming Webinars
Click below to visit the event page and add them to your calendar.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
