Jill Heidi Osborne MA, is the founder and president of the
Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN), one of the first and longest-running patient education and support organizations dedicated to interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), chronic pelvic pain, and related urologic conditions.
As both a patient and healthcare educator, Jill brings more than 30 years of firsthand and professional experience to the field of bladder and pelvic pain. Diagnosed with interstitial cystitis at age 32 after experiencing symptoms since childhood, she transformed her personal health journey into a lifelong mission to improve education, support, research, and treatment options for patients worldwide.
Since founding the ICN, Jill has helped educate and support tens of thousands of patients in more than 90 countries. She has authored hundreds of educational articles, patient guides, research summaries, and consumer health resources focused on interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, menopause, and related conditions.
Her work has been featured on television, radio, online media, and patient advocacy initiatives, and she has lectured for international medical organizations, including the International Continence Society.
Jill is the creator of the IC101 Master Class, IC101 Diet Guide, IC101 Flare Guide, IC101 Pain Guide, and the IC101 Food App, evidence-based educational resources that help patients identify symptom triggers, understand treatment options, and develop individualized self-care strategies.
A strong advocate for patient-centered research, Jill has collaborated on and co-authored studies examining treatment effectiveness, medication safety, sexuality, menopause, healthcare costs, quality of life, and chronic pain management. Her recent survey of more than 2,500 patients documented a high prevalence of retinal disease among individuals exposed to pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®), contributing to ongoing efforts to improve patient safety and awareness of medication-related risks. She is also actively advocating for greater awareness of emerging research examining potential gastrointestinal complications associated with long-term pentosan exposure.
The Interstitial Cystitis Network has been independently evaluated in peer-reviewed academic research and identified as one of the highest-quality online resources for interstitial cystitis patient education. Studies conducted by researchers affiliated with Harvard Medical School and the University of London recognized the ICN for the quality, credibility, accuracy, and educational value of its content, establishing the organization as a trusted source of information for patients, clinicians, and researchers.
For many years, Jill served on review panels for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), working alongside physicians, scientists, and military representatives to evaluate research proposals seeking federal funding for interstitial cystitis and chronic pelvic pain research.
Jill holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacology and a Master's Degree in Psychology and was awarded a Presidential Fellowship during graduate school. Through the Interstitial Cystitis Network, she continues to advocate for evidence-based patient care, medication safety, research advancement, and improved quality of life for individuals living with bladder and pelvic pain disorders. Her work combines lived experience, scientific research, patient advocacy, and more than three decades of direct engagement with the IC community.
Research & Recognition
- Founder and President, Interstitial Cystitis Network
- More than 30 years serving IC/BPS patients
- Lecturer - International Continence Society Pelvic Pain Series
- Educator - IC101 Master Class
- Reviewer for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
- Collaborator on patient-centered IC/BPS research studies
- ICN is recognized in peer-reviewed studies conducted by researchers affiliated with Harvard Medical School
- ICN is recognized in peer-reviewed studies conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of London
