The Center for Patient Partnerships

Director's Welcome

Photo Credit: Jeff Miller, UW-Madison University Communications

Dear Friends:

More than ten years ago, I learned lessons that would change my life. I learned that my health insurance wouldn't necessarily cover a life-saving treatment for Stage IV ovarian cancer. I learned that even at my lowest points, I needed to be captain of my health care team. I learned that compassion, delivered in many forms, was one thing that sustained my hope.

I also learned that my life depended on advocacy.

We at the Center for Patient Partnerships are honored to walk with you on your journey–whether you are a student searching out a distinct kind of learning, or whether you are a patient, looking for an advocate during tough times.

Our mission is straightforward. We educate future service professionals–doctors, lawyers, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, and policy-makers–about what it's like to truly advocate with a client facing serious illness. Our principles guide us to assist clients as they:

articulate values and needs;

think strategically about tough decisions;

gather appropriate information;

communicate effectively in a complex health care financing and delivery system;

understand available options, resources and rights;

marshal support;

build capacity as self-advocates; and

reveal for themselves a healing path, even at the end of life.

Not surprisingly, demand for our advocacy services grows each day. But demand for our educational model is growing faster still. Our serivces are free, and we are supported almost entirely by private donations. To maintain ethical integrity, our corporate donations policy does not allow us to accept funds from organizations that profit from health care.

Welcome to this work–work that feeds us, saddens us, surprises us, endears us to our students and clients, and ultimately inspires us to work toward health system and health care educational reform.

All our best,

Meg Gaines' Signature

Meg Gaines