The Gunnar Esiason Story and the Human Side of Medical Breakthroughs

Gunnar Esiason was two years old when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. He spent lots of time in hospitals, and by the time he was in his 20s, he was really sick. His medical team was running out of options. 

But then, when Gunnar was 27, he participated in a clinical trial that would change his life. The drug he received as a research participant made all of his cystic fibrosis symptoms disappear in a matter of days. And today, Gunnar is doing great. His Instagram bio actually reads, "Saved by science."

How did this happen? What forces came together to allow this particular clinical trial to happen when it did, and to allow Gunnar to be a part of it? 

Welcome to Hippo Education Presents: The Monthly Rounds—an open door to the expert-led learning behind Hippo's podcasts. This month, we're bringing you a live conversation that was held at the 2025 annual Gold Humanism Summit. We'll hear from both Gunnar Esiason as well as Dr. Kathy Reeves, a pediatric hospitalist and the CEO and President of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, about Gunnar's experiences with CF before and after treatment; the story behind the medicine that saved his life; what it's like to be a human research participant; and how clinicians can support and advocate for our patients to access medical breakthroughs.

For more, visit us at hippoed.com/podcasts.