Barbara Fleeman’s Story

Barbara Fleeman headshot

Barbara Fleeman

WomenHeart Champion; Support Group Facilitator

Barbara grew up in Atlanta and moved back 6 years ago after spending 40 years building a successful career in entertainment consumer marketing/promotion.  She was always very active in her personal and professional life.  In 2013 she was diagnosed with severe pericarditis.  Over the following 18 months. She continued to experience increasingly difficult episodes of shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and chest pressure.  She went to see several doctors and was told that there was nothing wrong with her heart, even though she told them “My heart hurts”.  She continued to become sicker.  After a long course of indecision by medical professionals, she found help and a correct diagnosis of INOCA and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction at the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In 2015 she was invited to attend the WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  After an intensive five-day event, she was trained to become a WomenHeart Champion.  Barbara continues to share her experience with women to help educate them to the unique signs & symptoms of women’s heart disease, as well as, provide patient advocate support to women who are living with or at risk of heart disease.

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August 6, 2026
From breakthrough therapeutics to next-generation medical technologies, tomorrow's innovators take the stage at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, the Startup Showcase will highlight eight of Georgia's most promising early-stage life sciences companies as they present their innovations during the Summit Luncheon on August 26. These emerging companies are tackling some of healthcare's biggest challenges across therapeutics, diagnostics, AI, and medical technology, while demonstrating the depth of innovation taking place throughout Georgia's life sciences ecosystem. Meet the 2026 Startup Showcase Companies: Abundance Biopharma Corporation Athna Biotech Atomistic Insights NovAb Nytricx Oridivus TremeBio YoungHeartValve Following the presentations, each company will participate in a live investor Q&A featuring an exceptional panel of venture leaders: Emily Dinu, Numinous Capital John Gutierrez, Ascenta Capital Dr. Emma Heckenberg, Solas BioVentures Patrick Jordan, NovaQuest Capital Management Tim Opler, Stifel Whether you're an investor looking for the next breakthrough, a corporate leader seeking innovative partners, or simply interested in the future of life sciences, the Startup Showcase offers a front-row seat to the companies poised to shape what's next. Join us August 25–26 at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit and discover the next generation of innovators driving Georgia's life sciences economy.
July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.
July 21, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences names Renee Martin, Ph.D., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.
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