Care provider with rare bleeding disorder uses her personal experience to help fellow patients

Physician’s Assistant Skye Peltier, MPH, PA-C has what she calls “the most common rare bleeding disorder.”

Diagnosed with Factor VII deficiency as a child, Peltier has dealt with excessive and prolonged bleeding her entire life. Factor VII is a protein that plays an important in helping your blood clot. People with Factor VII deficiency may experience nosebleeds, easy bruising, bleeding gums, excessive bleeding after injury or surgery, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding in women, and other complications.

Peltier knows first-hand the wide-reaching impacts of her bleeding disorder and similar medical conditions. Now, she uses that experience to connect patients at the M Health Fairview Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders to provide holistic support within and beyond clinic walls.

For other girls and women living with rare conditions, this means helping them educate and advocate for themselves. As a young patient, taking charge of her own reproductive health was one of Peltier’s biggest challenges at a time when bleeding disorder treatment was far less advanced.

“Care has improved dramatically. There’s better gynecological care, and a better understanding that a hysterectomy isn’t the only answer when it comes to reproductive health,” said Peltier, who was advised to consider the procedure as a teenager because of her bleeding disorder.

Managing her diagnosis from a young age ultimately motivated Peltier to go into healthcare. After graduating from Augsburg University, a hematologist she knew as a patient inspired her to work at the Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders.

Now, she introduces patients to menstrual tracking apps, which can help them log data to share with their providers. Using a strong interdisciplinary approach, the Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders connects women to gynecological and maternity care – helping patients manage disorders during pregnancy and evaluating those with heavy periods for undiagnosed conditions.

“Because bleeding disorders are often misunderstood in girls, I tell them, ‘You’re going to have to explain it. You’re going to have to advocate for yourself,’” Peltier said. “I spend extra time with them practicing an elevator speech related to their bleeding disorder so they can feel prepared when the situation arises.” 

Additionally, Peltier is able to share her own story with patients and connect them to the broader bleeding disorders community through her work with the Hemophilia Foundation of Minnesota and the Dakotas. 

“There are community events, there are scholarships,” said Peltier. “I’m always thinking beyond the clinical aspect, about how I can access those resources for patients.”