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8 Rock Stars of Patient Engagement
Eve wouldn’t be here today if her heart disease hadn’t been caught days after she was born As we count down to the Patient Voice Impact Award ceremony in Washington, DC December 2nd, here are some voices and ideas NOT submitted for award consideration, but too awesome not to share. (Hint: submit for next year’s…
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United in Safety: Patient Activist Ilene Corina
Patient Activist Ilene Corina Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by National Patient Safety Foundation. The theme for 2015 is United in Safety — that is, we are all united in the goal of keeping patients and those who care for them free from harm.…
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Michael Graves: My Worst Hospital Experience
The world has lost a great designer, champion for patients, and human being with the passing last week of architect and designer Michael Graves. In 2013, I had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with him while delivering copies of my new book, for which Michael had written the Foreword, designed the cover and shared…
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Jean Rexford’s Medical Awakening Story
In 2002, I was asked to organize and help individuals who had experienced negligence while getting healthcare. I had always worked on social justice issues, and began using those same organizing skills and passion to work on health justice and improving the inefficient health care delivery system. In 2005, we formed our own not-for-profit, The…
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If Air Travel Worked Like Healthcare
“Sir. Please. Calm down and be realistic. I’m sure the system can be frustrating, but consumers don’t understand flight plans and landing slots. Even if they did, there are thousands of separate providers involved in moving travelers around, and hundreds of airports, and millions of trips. Getting everyone to coordinate services and exchange information just…
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Amer Haider’s Story: Patients and Families as Partners
After his father was hospitalized, Amer felt frustrated and powerless when a charge nurse refused to give him his father’s treatment notes saying it was “against policy.” Worse, when he pointed out another nurse had given them to him previously, the charge nurse marched him right over to her and threatened to write her up…
