Author Archives: Bridges to Empowerment

10/27/2016 Art Event

Another great event working with patients at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital! For those of you that don’t know what we are doing, we are patients helping patients through times of crisis. Bridge’s Healing Notes program began when a patient with a chronic illness realized typical “get-well” cards fall short in speaking to the challenges faced whenContinue reading “10/27/2016 Art Event”

Why choice in healthcare is decreasing

As it stands now, the government pays a private insurance company for your healthcare if you are on medicaid. Private health insurance companies are therefore growing from expanded medicaid programs. Many are increasing profits at higher rates than expected. This is allowing big insurance companies to buy out smaller companies, and this is where yourContinue reading “Why choice in healthcare is decreasing”

Choosing Joy

Today I want to share a healing note card that a seriously ill patient made in the Healing Notes Outreach Program. Each card has a place for patients to share their story or any other information that they would like to share with the patient who receives the card. Look what this patient shared: An amazing lessonContinue reading “Choosing Joy”

Healing Notes Outreach Program Update

Several years ago I laid in a hospital bed knowing that patients needed more inspiration and connection with others that had experienced similar struggles than they needed flowers or other gifts. Today my dream of having a way to say something meaningful during difficult times came to fruition. Bridges to Patient Empowerment started the HealingContinue reading “Healing Notes Outreach Program Update”

Stop a Bug Cold in One Easy Step by Lynsie Buteyn

It is getting to be the time of year when viruses spread faster than good cheer. When you have a chronic illness, a virus can easily land you in the hospital for months or worse… while the relatively healthy are able to roam about, spreading their infection everywhere they go. If the relatively healthy won’tContinue reading “Stop a Bug Cold in One Easy Step by Lynsie Buteyn”

Detriments to Care Collaboration

When chronically ill, you need a care team that is interdisciplinary and works together. However, getting this is no small feat. Some of the blockades found by Zwarentein and colleagues are as follows: Having respect for other disciplines Believing in the need to collaborate rather than total autonomy A leader of the team Time thatContinue reading “Detriments to Care Collaboration”