The Keys to Health Care Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Speaker: Cecelia Ramsey -

Cecelia Ramsey, Executive Director of the Developmental Services Continuum, Inc. (DSC), became a passionate advocate for person with developmental disabilities through the lifelong influence of her brother Patrick, a gentle soul who passed away in 2001. She began her career as a Psychiatric Technician, working in three California Developmental Centers over 10 years.  She later moved into community based care, serving in steadily advancing positions at service provider organizations in San Diego County.  Before her current position of Executive Director at DSC she served as Director of Consumer Affairs for the organization.  She continues to serve as an Instructor in the Certified Direct Support Professional program through the San Diego County Office of Education.

During this teleconference session Cecilia covered:

• Barriers to health care in the age of managed care
• Chronic medical and behavioral concerns
• Navigating the terrain of health providers “capacity” perceptions
• Teaching support personnel how to be an advocate for the people they serve

CLICK to play the podcast

Primary Veteran Diagnosis: PTSD/Moral Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Veteran as an Important Piece of Patient History

Speakers: Alice Herb, JD, LL.M & Dave Eling -

Alice Herb, JD, LL.M & Dave Eling, Director of the West Michigan Veterans Service Center; Director of the Muskegon Veterans Administration

Dave Eling is a Muskegon native; graduated Muskegon High School 1967; entered US Air Force January 1968 retired February 1988; Hired as Director West Michigan Veterans Service Center 1990; Instrumental in the formation of West Michigan Veterans, Inc. in 1992 and the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs 1994; Dave has been the Director of all three entities since their inception.


Points covered include:

• PTSD/Moral Injury
• Traumatic Brain Injuries in Veterans
• Initiative to recognize being a Veteran as another Vital Sign

CLICK to play the podcast

Lessons Learned In a Ten-Year Journey Through Childhood Cancer

Speaker:  Dr. Julia Hallisy -

Dr. Julia Hallisy, The Empowered Patient Coalition, obtained her BS in Biological Science from the University of San Francisco in 1984 and a second Bachelor's degree from the University of California in Dental Sciences. In 1988, Dr. Hallisy also received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry. Since then, she has been in continuous private practice in San Francisco, California.

Her second child, Katherine Eileen, was diagnosed at five months of age with bilateral retinoblastoma. Dealing with her daughter's life-threatening diagnosis, the many recurrences of cancer, and the subsequent treatments for the malignant and aggressive tumors marked the beginning an almost 20-year involvement in our healthcare system. The unique combination of her scientific training, her work as a healthcare provider, and guiding a child through a chronic illness has afforded her invaluable insight as an advocate for patients.

In 2008, Dr. Hallisy founded the non-profit organization The Empowered Patient Coalition and co- authored The Empowered Patient Guide to Hospital Care for Patients and Families. The organization provides an advocate directory, factsheets and checklists, SBAR communication tools for patients, pocket guides, a patient reporting survey and hospital and community training sessions on patient safety and advocacy issues.

During this session Dr. Hallisy describes her family's ten-year journey through childhood advocacy. She explains how a patient advocate would have helped them navigate a difficult path. Especially useful is an advocate's ability to help the family focus on their immediate goals as well as organizing and categorizing priorities.

Additional Resources

Related resources from Julia:

• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/fact-sheets-a-checklists
• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/resources-and-links

The Empowered Patient Decision Support App:

• www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/resources-and-links/decision-support-app

Report an adverse medical event:

• www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZJT6H6D

CLICK to play the podcast

Ethical Wills – What You Have Learned Is As Valuable As What You Have Earned...

Speaker: Susan Turnbull

Susan Turnbull founded Personal Legacy Advisors in 2002 out of great respect for the ancient ethical will, and has become an internationally known advocate for non-binding personal legacy documents as a meaningful component of estate, financial and philanthropic planning.  A former journalist, she has ghostwritten and edited numerous ethical wills and personal histories, is the author of The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will and co-author of Between Generations: A Five Step Guide for Creating an Expression of Donor Intent. She is also the creator of LifeLegacy Cards, prompts for insightful conversation and writing.

Susan is a graduate of Colby College and the parent of three young adult children. She and her husband live in greater Boston.

Your wealth and your legacy have both tangible and intangible dimensions.
During this session our speaker addressed the following topics:

1. The definition and history of Ethical Wills
2. Why creating an Ethical Will is a valuable experience
3. How Ethical Wills can be implemented in your own lives
4. How the concept of an Ethical Will can be introduced into your client experiences

Additional Resources

• The Neglected Step in Planning: Thoughtfully Transmitting Intangible Wealth (pdf)
• Presentation Slides (pdf)

CLICK to play the podcast

Medicare Choices: How to Decide

Speaker: Dianne Savastano -

The NAHAC Education Committee proudly presents Dianne Savastano, BSN, MBA, the Founder and President of Healthassist, a personal healthcare consultancy established in 2004 and based in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Healthassist offers expert help in demystifying healthcare and medical insurance and offers services that help people of all ages navigate today's increasingly complex healthcare system. Dianne has over 30 years of healthcare experience and understands both the clinical and insurance perspectives. Before launching Healthassist, she worked as a nurse providing direct patient care, in hospital management, and in high-level positions in managed care, insurance, employee benefits and business consulting. Dianne was one of the founding members of NAHAC and currently serves on the board of directors as Treasurer.

As individuals approach the age of 65 and sign up for Medicare, they are often surprised and overwhelmed by the 20-40 choices available to them. Comparing one to another is a challenge.

The objectives for the teleconference session on "Medicare Choices" are:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of how the options in Medicare evolved
2. Understand what traditional Medicare covers and does not cover
3. Learn the differences between Medicare Part A, B, C, D and Medicare supplemental/medigap insurance plans
4. Identify preferences
5. Make decisions if you remain employed after age 65
6. Review your choices on an annual basis

Additional Resources:

• Medicare Choices: How to Decide

CLICK to play the podcast

Medicare and Healthcare Reform

Speaker: Kevin Knauss -

Kevin Knauss is an independent Health and Life Agent in California representing several carriers for Medicare plans, individual and small group insurance. He does not believe an agent should represent only one company because "one size does not fit all" when it comes to health insurance. Kevin has blogged extensively about healthcare reform, Medicare topics and his occasional travels through California.

You can read his blog access additional information as follows: Kevin@insuremekevin.com, www.insuremekevin.com, Facebook: Insure Me Kevin, Twitter: @insuremekevin

During this teleconference session our speaker addressed the following topics:

Healthcare Reform Affordable Care Act and its effects on:

1. Individuals/families
2. Business/ employees
3. Medicare beneficiaries

Additional Resources:

• Healthcare Reform Simplified

CLICK to play the podcast

Effective Teamwork with Psychiatric Patients

Speaker: Richard Heasley -

Richard Heasley is the Executive Director of Conard House, Inc., an organization which encompasses a spectrum of programs and services designed to support, rather than direct, recovery from mental illness. He has been Executive Director of Conard House for over 16 years, and has worked in the nonprofit human services sector for more than 35 years, providing executive leadership and financial management. Richard is a member and past President of the San Francisco Mental Health Contractors Association, the Steering Committee of the San Francisco Human Services Network, and the Executive Committee of the Supported Housing Employment Collaborative. He holds a BA in Philosophy, Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio; Master's in Public Administration, California State University, Hayward, California.

This discussion covers important aspects of healthcare advocacy for individuals with mental illness including resources and tools, roles for advocates and what the future holds.

Additional Resources

• Motivational Interviewing Techniques (currently unavailable)
• UCSF Chronic Disease Management: Mini-Medical School
• The work of Tom Bodenheimer and his efforts to promote self-management of chronic disease

CLICK to play the podcast