Meet the Panelists!
WASHAA 1st Annual Meeting | November 1, 2013
What the Growing Field of Health/Patient Advocacy Means for: Patients, Providers, Academic Institutions, and for Advocates Working in the Field
Beth Droppert, RN, BSN
Beth Droppert, RN, BSN
CEO, Allied Health Advocates
Beth has always been the nurse in the family, undertaking the role of health advocate for the past five decades. Her 40-year nursing career and her passion for patient-centered health experiences led her to co-found Allied Health Advocates in 2008. She currently serves on the Boards of the National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC), the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA), and the Providence Hospice Foundation. She is also part of a select group of national leaders who are working on credentialing for health advocates.
CEO, Allied Health Advocates
Beth has always been the nurse in the family, undertaking the role of health advocate for the past five decades. Her 40-year nursing career and her passion for patient-centered health experiences led her to co-found Allied Health Advocates in 2008. She currently serves on the Boards of the National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC), the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA), and the Providence Hospice Foundation. She is also part of a select group of national leaders who are working on credentialing for health advocates.
Sima Kahn, MD
Sima Kahn, MD
Founder, Healthcare Advocacy Partners
A Board certified physician, Sima Kahn founded healthcare Advocacy Partners after almost 25 years of Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. Sima's clinical experience gives her a deep understanding of the complexities of the medical system and the overwhelming confusion patients often feel when faced with significant health situations. Always a passionate advocate for her patients, Sima founded Healthcare Advocacy Partners in 2009 to fill a critical gap in the healthcare system.
Founder, Healthcare Advocacy Partners
A Board certified physician, Sima Kahn founded healthcare Advocacy Partners after almost 25 years of Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. Sima's clinical experience gives her a deep understanding of the complexities of the medical system and the overwhelming confusion patients often feel when faced with significant health situations. Always a passionate advocate for her patients, Sima founded Healthcare Advocacy Partners in 2009 to fill a critical gap in the healthcare system.
Kevin Kussman
Kevin Kussman
Associate Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education, Clark College
Kevin led the development of the Patient Health Advocate (PHA) program at Clark College. He joined Clark from Hewlett-Packard, where he was an executive managing learning, development and talent for a global organization. Kevin also serves as a board member on the Southwest Washington Regional Health Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to healthier populations, better patient outcomes and lower costs for all parties in Wahkiakum, Skamania, Cowlitz and Clark Counties.
Associate Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education, Clark College
Kevin led the development of the Patient Health Advocate (PHA) program at Clark College. He joined Clark from Hewlett-Packard, where he was an executive managing learning, development and talent for a global organization. Kevin also serves as a board member on the Southwest Washington Regional Health Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to healthier populations, better patient outcomes and lower costs for all parties in Wahkiakum, Skamania, Cowlitz and Clark Counties.
Andrea Mulrain
Andrea Mulrain
Patient
Andrea is a two-time cancer survivor who has been actively involved with patient advocacy for over fourteen years. She has attended many of the leading conferences including the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Training, Project LEAD and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Her story was featured on the Montel Williams Show, in Jane Magazine and in several WebMD articles. Andrea is a 2012 graduate of the University of Miami's Patient Advocacy Course and is currently building a consultancy to help guide newly diagnosed cancer patients navigate the health care system.
Patient
Andrea is a two-time cancer survivor who has been actively involved with patient advocacy for over fourteen years. She has attended many of the leading conferences including the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Training, Project LEAD and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Her story was featured on the Montel Williams Show, in Jane Magazine and in several WebMD articles. Andrea is a 2012 graduate of the University of Miami's Patient Advocacy Course and is currently building a consultancy to help guide newly diagnosed cancer patients navigate the health care system.
Dale Reisner, MD
Dale P. Reisner, MD
Associate Director, CQI for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pediatrix Medical Group/Mednax National Medical Group
Medical Director, Obstetrical Quality and Patient Safety, Swedish Medical Center
Medical Director, Gossman Center for Advanced Healthcare Simulation
During her career, Dale has seen family and friends be health advocates for their loved ones in a different way than the nurses or providers could be. This was particularly true for very ill patients. As we know more about potential harm related to medical care, it has become clearer to her that ideally all patients should have advocates when admitted to the hospital for both improved quality of care and safety. Her more personal interest in healthcare advocacy began in 1999 when she became her father’s medical advocate after a significant medical error – if only she could have known he needed an advocate earlier in his hospitalization.
Associate Director, CQI for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pediatrix Medical Group/Mednax National Medical Group
Medical Director, Obstetrical Quality and Patient Safety, Swedish Medical Center
Medical Director, Gossman Center for Advanced Healthcare Simulation
During her career, Dale has seen family and friends be health advocates for their loved ones in a different way than the nurses or providers could be. This was particularly true for very ill patients. As we know more about potential harm related to medical care, it has become clearer to her that ideally all patients should have advocates when admitted to the hospital for both improved quality of care and safety. Her more personal interest in healthcare advocacy began in 1999 when she became her father’s medical advocate after a significant medical error – if only she could have known he needed an advocate earlier in his hospitalization.