Isabel Yuriko Stenzel Byrnes, MSW, MPH

Isabel Yuriko Stenzel Byrnes is an author, social worker, health educator, patient advocate, and public speaker. Working for more than a decade with organizations such as the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, Isabel has supported patients of all ages and their families. She has lectured widely to diverse constituencies at hospitals, medical schools, and conferences about cystic fibrosis, organ donation and transplantation, and various other physical and mental health topics.

As a recognized leader in the cystic fibrosis community, Isabel chairs Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc.’s annual Education Conference, co-chairs the Heroes of Hope Living with Cystic Fibrosis patient recognition program, and writes a regular column in the United States Association of Cystic Fibrosis Adults newsletter Roundtable. She serves as a director for the nonprofit Breathing Room and is on the Patient Advisory Committee for United Network for Organ Sharing, which administers the nation’s only organ procurement and transplantation network. Isabel was selected to ride the Donate Life Rose Parade float in 2008.

Isabel received her bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University. She also earned two graduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley: a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology and biostatistics and a master’s degree in social welfare with a health specialization. Isabel lives with her husband Andrew in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she enjoys hiking, swimming, jogging, playing the bagpipes, and spending time with friends.

Anabel Mariko Stenzel, MS, CGC

Anabel Mariko Stenzel is a genetic counselor at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. Anabel is a Board member of Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc., and a volunteer for numerous non-profit organizations that work to increase awareness about organ donation and lung disease. She also co-chairs the Heroes of Hope Living with Cystic Fibrosis patient recognition program and is Fundraising Chair for Team Northern California of the US Transplant Games.

In 2008, Anabel received the Making Life Better Award at the National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Anabel, along with her twin sister Isabel, received the 2008 Breath of Life Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for their service to the CF community.

Anabel received her bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University in 1994, and her master’s in science degree in genetic counseling from the University of California, Berkeley in 1997. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner Trent. Her hobbies include swimming, hiking, camping, and spending cherished time with family, friends and her dog.

Lectures & Workshops

Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel are medical professionals, authors, speakers, and workshop leaders who skillfully use their remarkable personal stories to facilitate meaningful and revelatory discussions among individuals and groups.  

Isabel and Anabel have spoken at dozens of hospitals, medical schools, universities and professional conferences.  They are available for motivational and inspirational lectures and workshops on a variety of topics, including  the following: 

• “A Reluctant Student: Wisdom That Illness Teaches”
• “How Illness Inspires the Heroine’s Journey”
• “The Psychosocial Aspects of Living Well with Cystic Fibrosis”
• “Across the Lifespan: Living Well with Cystic Fibrosis Through Each Developmental Stage”
• “Family Coping with Cystic Fibrosis and Transplant”
• “The Genetics of Cystic Fibrosis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Reproductive Issues” (Anabel)

Contact us to learn more about booking Ana and Isa for appearances, lectures, workshops and other events.