Patty Skolnik MSW

Dr. Patty Skolnik lost her only son Michael to poor communication and medical error. Taught by harrowing real-life experience, Patty has become a patient safety expert and an advocate for shared decision-making, informed consent, and improving patient/provider relationships in healthcare. She founded Citizens for Patient Safety to reduce medical harm and promote engagement. Patty travels worldwide to educate consumers, train medical professionals, and advise lawmakers about fostering relationships, systems, and environments based on shared decision-making and transparency. Patty feels that her life’s path proves the value of a collaborative culture in healthcare. A culture that not only permits, but encourages patients to ask questions, seek second opinions, be presented with all options for treatment (including doing nothing), and have their values and preferences heard. Patty Skolnik is forging a hopeful and constructive path that values patients and families while reducing medical harm.