Alex is a first year Capstone student. He was drawn to patient advocacy because he believes strongly that it ought not be necessary. He has a diverse background in physics and politics and is strongly driven towards affecting change in the health care system as a whole while helping individual patients in the short term. Past advocacy experience includes lobbying congressional staffers to fund small science firms.
Ann is a first-year capstone student. A graduate of the UW-Madison Life Sciences Communications department, Ann has worked primarily in corporate communications, where she has written about a wide range of topics, including lawyers professional liability, consumer and environmental issues, energy, and professional and financial services. Through her church, she has served as a Stephen minister and delivered communion to people in their homes or care centers. Ann became interested in the certificate program as preparation for an encore career, serving the needs of patients and their families and raising public awareness of consumer health care issues.
Clare is a 2nd year MPH student at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. She is interested in patient advocacy because she is pursuing a clinical career in medicine and public health. She believes that for consumers to receive the best health care, they need to be informed about their treatment options, aware of insurance issues, and vocal about their views and values. She enjoys helping people navigate through the system and helping them to become their own best advocate. She has been a student advocate at the Center for Patient Partnerships since January 2009.
Darin is a second year law student. He was drawn to patient advocacy after seeing others struggle with understanding the health care system. Prior to attending law school, Darin was a music professor with a specialization in trombone.
Drew is a second year law student. He was drawn to patient advocacy because the health care system can be confusing and frustrating and with the belief that everyone should have access to helpful information and be able to know that someone is listening closely and exploring ways to tackle even the most complex challenges. Drew previously worked for an electronic health record company in its efforts to help hospitals improve patient care and has experienced numerous episodes of hospital- and insurance-related frustration.
Jim is a first year capstone student. He was drawn to patient advocacy after his own experience acting as a caregiver and advocate for his spouse. She was a lifelong diabetic who died of the disease in 2008. During that journey he saw first hand the difficulties of navigating the quagmires of insurance claims and treatment options. He hopes to use his life experience to help others that also have problems dealing with our health care system.
Kathe is a registered nurse currently working at a hospital in Madison. Advocacy has been a cornerstone of my nursing practice for over 30 years. My primary obligation to the patient, in addition to providing safety and comfort, is to promote their personal journey through the health care process. My years of experience have given me knowledge and expertise to assist the patient in navigating the often intimidating and bewildering system. The Center will help me become an even better provider.
Mary is a 3rd year law student. She was drawn to patient advocacy because of her dual background as a health care provider and in health law as well as her personal experience navigating the health care system for herself and family members. Past advocacy experience includes advocating for herself as a chronic kidney disease patient, helping to advocate for her father during his own battle with kidney failure, advocating for the highest level of physical and psychological care for injured high school and collegiate athletes as an athletic trainer, and advocating for the needs of students and colleagues as a K-12 physical education teacher.
Reesha is a student in the Master of Public Health Program. She was drawn to patient advocacy because it works in tandem with her career goal of becoming a physician assistant and will allow her to better understand her patients and provide the care and services they need. She has held a myriad of positions in health care, insurance, and other service roles that she feels will allow her to assist patients as they face challenges dealing with chronic pain, a complex health care system, and the uncertainty of next steps.
Rich is a second year law student. He was drawn to patient advocacy because he saw the need for individualized resources for patients while working with community members at the Aids Network. Past advocacy experience includes working for employee rights through the Unemployment Appeals Clinic and for environmentally friendly energy policy at Clean Wisconsin.
Sarah is a first year Capstone student. She was drawn to patient advocacy following her experience working as a caregiver and advocate for a family member who struggled to navigate the healthcare system while dealing with a serious illness. Sarah’s background is in sociology and religious studies and she currently works with an organization dedicated to improving pain management.
Students from the Fall 07 clinical.
Students from the Summer 07 clinical gather weekly to discuss cases. Back row, L to R: Wendy Nguyen (Med 1), Carissa Gottlieb (MS1, Population Health), Rachel Adams (Law 2), Barbara Conley (Law 3), Kim Nichols (MSW 1), Maura Heffernan (Law 2). Front row: Steve Grunder (Law 3), Brian Harahan (MD/PhD program, Population Health), Craig Johnson (Law 2), and Patient Advocate Pete Daly.Wendy Nguyen (MD expected 2011, UW - Madison)
When Wendy Nguyen, who grew up in Stevens Point, finished her college degree in political science, she sought an experience to prepare her for the clinical side of medical school. She wanted to learn more about what patients deal with outside of a medical setting. She came to the right place.
Volunteering at the Center for more than a year at the Center after finishing her undergraduate degree in biochemistry and political science, Wendy advocated with clients on a variety of issues, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) reconsideration applications, coordination of care, end-of-life care, and research on clinical trials.
My experiences working with clients facing a diverse range of healthcare-related issues will make me a more well-rounded and socially conscious physician, Wendy notes. Anyone entering a healthcare field could benefit from this invaluable opportunity.
In August 2008, Wendy began her second year studying medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She also intends to complete a Masters Degree in Public Health.
Craig Johnson (JD expected 2009, University of Wisconsin Law School)
Originally from Green Bay, Craig Johnson grew up around healthcare and eventually studied politics and economics as an undergraduate. After completing his first year of law school, he came to the Center with a desire to apply his personal experience, knowledge and skills towards assisting clients navigate this complicated system.
As a student in our summer clinical, Craig advocated with clients on a variety of issues including insurance coverage and appeals, interpreting treatment options and government programs, and a research project on Wisconsin hospitals' Community Care programs.
Being challenged with the responsibility to help real clients with serious situations has forced me to take strides as a professional and a person, Craig says. I am confident that the experience, reward, and impact of working at the CPP make it the absolute best way to have spent the summer following my first year of law school."
In September 2008, Craig began his third year at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
