Day 3
My speaking day
4/17/2024
The feeling of excitement and enthusiasm was so thick you could feel it in the air like a warm hug. A conference filled with professionals dedicating their lives to improving the Social Determinants of Health in our country eager to listen and learn, to make changes that would improve patient lives and outcomes. RISE was an exhaustingly beautiful experience for a patient and an inspirational journey for healthcare professionals working to address SODH. I listened to innovative ideas about how to connect patients with resources and improve already amazing systems. I made connections with amazing thought leaders, educators, social engineers, and rock stars of health. As a patient seeing these people work and exchange ideas gave me so much hope for the future of healthcare. Not only did they want to hear my patient experience, they listened to me and made me feel valued and supported. I feel refreshed and tired in the best kind of way.
I hope my small story can make an impact, I hope all my little words have as much power as my dreams and patients can help build a digital health support system that works for us all. We need to share our stories and we need to learn from each other so that we might build a living changing healthcare organism rather than a static system that cannot adapt to change as we move forward together through innovation. To give us the best chances of survival, ALL voices must be considered and elevated. RISE made me feel that my work is just beginning and I hope next year, I can bring more patient advocates with me. Our stories matter. We ALL matter.
Patients should be anywhere healthcare decisions are made.
#SODH#RISE#Patients#PXP#patientsforpatients#patientadvocacy#healthequity#risesodh24
