Patient/Family Care Advisory Council at University of Colorado Anschutz Facility

As most of you know, I have been selected to be on the Patient/FamilyCare Advisory Council for the new University of Colorado Anschutz Facility. As a group, we have been asked to give input on a wide variety of subjectsof interest or concern to us as patients and family members. We havetackled such diverse subjects as the type of waste baskets used in thehospital rooms, pamphlets for the admissions packets regarding "being yourown best health care advocate", discussing the impact of HIPPA on familydecision-making, the hospital's stance on smoking, etc. Needless to say, ithas been challenging and stimulating work. Our next meeting, August 6, 2007, will present some uniqueopportunities. We will be graced with the presence of Mr. Bruce Schroffel,the CEO of the Anschutz Facilities, and Marge Frueh, the Director of theTransplant Clinics. Both of these individuals have a great impact on thequality of care we receive at Anschutz. I want to encourage you all to takesome time to write me about anything you have on your mind that has to dowith your experience of care at the facility. I will not use your name(except if you specifically request that I do so) and I will not add or takeaway from your concerns, questions or requests except to clarify anythingthat is not understood. Please consider me your "pipeline to the decision makers". For those ofyou who do not know me very well, let me give you a short bio. I am a 61year old, single lung transplant, 6 1/2 years out, who has emphysema. Ihave been co-facilitating the lung transplant support group for the lastseveral years, I belong to Transplant Speakers International and was justhonored by the Donor Awareness Council as their Volunteer of the Year. Ihave recently joined a new patient-to-patient chapter of the ColoradoSociety of Respiratory Care in an advisory capacity and hope to help themlaunch an effective pulmonary education program for all who suffer fromrespiratory disease. I am dedicated to giving back to the programs thathave allowed me to live a fulfilled and fulfilling life that I would nothave been able to live had I not been given the gift of life throughtransplant. So please spend a little time to write to me about anything andeverything you have on your mind.....it doesn't have to be earth-shaking,just anything that will make your health-care experience better. I promise that I will do my best to present everyone's concerns as effectively as ishumanly possible.
Best Regards,
Cindy Anderson
cindytlc@msn.com
303-660-9744