It’s a good thing we have each other.
Hello everyone,
First, let me say that I am so excited to see the new faces joining the conversation in the PFAnetwork! Welcome to all of you! Whether you are a seasoned (…and I don’t mean old) patient family advisor or totally new to partnering with health systems, you belong here and we are happy you have joined us.
We are all here, new and “seasoned” alike, because we want to improve healthcare for all. And I recognize it’s a huge and difficult thing to do. In the last few weeks, in fact, I’ve had several conversations with PFAnetwork members who are feeling less impactful than they want to be. To be honest, I've also had moments where I question if what we’re doing is working, because we may not immediately see the changes we are trying to create. It can be tiring. But I believe this is legacy work, and that we are making progress by being involved and bringing others to the table. I shudder to think where we would be without the collective voice of PFAnetwork members engaged across healthcare activities. I believe we are making a difference. We are partnering in new and exciting areas, like health technology, upstream in research, in federal quality improvement programs, and locally in our own health systems. We are making progress.
At a recent Advisory Board meeting, we went around the group and each of our advisory board members shared the many ways they have an impact on improving the health system. Our board members are a reflection of our larger network and I have been incredibly impressed with the activities they are all involved in to make our healthcare more accessible, more equitable and ultimately more beneficial for all who experience it. I can see it working, through them. So when you get tired, pull in someone new. When you get discouraged, call on another PFAnetwork member. When you get rejected, lean on the PFAnetwork for support. We are a network of people joined by the common vision for a healthcare system that is kind & compassionate, effective, equitable and accessible to all.
Transformation is hard work — it’s a good thing we have each other!
Be well.
