New Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) Formed
Network 8 is pleased to announce that a new Patient Advisory Committee has been formed. The NEW Patient Advisory Committee was created by Network 8 in 2006 to better achieve CMS goals outlined in their contract with Networks. The committee will consist of 8 – 12 ESRD patients representing the diversity of modality choices and all three states. The committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors. The ultimate aim of the committee is to provide input to the Network and its Board on the concerns and need of patients. The newly formed committee held its first face-to-face meeting on February 8 in Birmingham, AL. The committee members are:
AL PAC Chair: Charlotte Baynes, Birmingham, AL
MS PAC Chair: Travis Davis, Tupelo, MS
TN PAC Chair: Laurie McCommon, Memphis, TN
BOD Appointee: Ruth Crenshaw-Love, RN, Montgomery, AL
BOD Appointee: Dorothy Davis, Birmingham, AL
MRB Appointee: Floy Lambert, Montgomery, AL
At-Large Rep.: Paul McGinnis, M.D., Madison, MS
At-Large Rep.: Melinda O’Quinn, Wesson, MS
At-Large Rep.: Billye Griffin, Madison, TN
At-Large Rep.: Chris Elrod, Chattanooga, TN
The composition of the committee includes four (4) incenter hemodialysis patients, two (2) home hemodialysis patients, one (1) peritoneal dialysis patient and three (3) kidney transplant patients. We are very excited to be working with such a knowledgeable group of patients. The ten patients comprising the committee have a combined 175 years of chronic kidney disease experience. Their professions include a hemodialysis nurse, a nursing student, two teachers, a hemodialysis technician, and a psychiatrist among others. They are all excited and willing to work hard and we know they will all do a wonderful job for the Network 8 patients.
Network 8 will continue to support the three state-wide Patient Advisory Councils, which consist of a named patient representative from each dialysis facility. Council representatives assemble annually, along with other patients from their state, to participate in a one-day educational workshop. Council members are asked to assist their fellow patients in better understanding the role and functioning of the ESRD Network program.