Grace Cordovano, PhD, BCPA (Unblock Health) and Jen Horonjeff, PhD (Savvy Cooperative) closed the day at the #FINNxHumbleHouse#FutureOfHealth Day with a powerful, real, and sobering conversation on what authentic patient-centricity should look like in healthcare.
Key Takeaways:
⚕️ Patients & caregivers want shared decision-making: Just like clinicians, patients are burned out too. They want partnership, not just prescriptions. This is fixable! Startups need to invite patients into leadership roles and advisory boards ASAP.
⚕️ Patient perspectives must come first: Before building solutions, ask patients. Their voices should shape healthcare, research, and policy-making from the start.
⚕️ Patient advocacy isn’t exclusive: You don’t have to be a professional advocate to be part of the conversation. All patients should be heard.
The session brought these ideas to life with real stories—including August, a cancer warrior excited to play baseball this spring.
Authentic patient engagement isn’t just a "nice-to-have"—it's a business strategy that leads to more compassionate, effective care.
#PatientCentricity#HealthcareInnovation#PatientVoices#SXSW#FINNxSXSW#HealthTech
Doctor is not engaged. What do you do when your child is sent home to die not once, but twice? I sent an e-mail about a week ago. This is the second time I've pulled the emergency lever. Emailing the Cancer X community because we were outside the realms of standard of care. And this little boy needs to play baseball, because spring is coming. One of the people that are replied immediately was Reginald. Hold on one second. It was an extremely lengthy e-mail. Santosh, I think you saw the e-mail. The reply was Hi Grace, due to the urgency of this nature I dropped everything to work on this. Please see below and let me know if you need further guidance and there's pages of information. Regional Where are you? I want to introduce you to someone here. This is Eric Olenski, Augusts mom. So just to tell you, we want so thank you so much guys channel. Now why does this matter? Because you asked the question why does this matter? What are you doing? This could not possibly have been times better. So I wanted to acknowledge this. And then we have a special. Surprise for all of you here, I want to introduce a really probably the coolest 6 year old I know. Hi August. August, thank you so much for joining us today. Not now. August, is it OK if I ask you a question? Yeah. Could you tell me? Do you have a favorite food in the cafeteria? Yeah. What is it? Uh. What's your? And nothing. Eggs and sausage breakfast is one of my favorites, but I don't like I have you don't like, I don't like. I hold the onions too. I can completely relate to that. August. Peanut butter and cream. Peanut butter, pork rinds and whipped cream. Wow, August, I have. Can I ask you another question? Uh. No. One more question. OK, OK, so you know, I really love softball and baseball. Can you, can you tell the audience what you're gonna be playing in the spring? Yeah. What is it? Baseball. Let's go. Probably let you go. Is there anything you would like to tell? No, he's got a lot of busy schedule. August. My.
One of the biggest Power couples I know! Erica and her son August!!! Erica is the facilitator for care of her son! She is envolved in every aspect of his care, getting every care team involved. Even to the point of getting second and third opinions and coordination Neurosurgery in Boston as part of his care. Shared decision making is crutil and every voice matters.
But what happens when the patients lack the education or resources or their voices are not heard or standards are not held up???
Patients need resources and support while they navagate a sometimes unfamiliar healthcare journey.
Erica has enormous knowledge in the healthcare , has been Augusts worlds best advocate and has made all the difference in his care and his outcomes. It is truly due to her love and tuely fierce determination in directing her sons that has made the difference.
Doctors had given up hope on this little man, August, but Erica never did.
There are millions out there facing a major healthcare crisis!
I wish there was an Erica for each and everyone of them navigate their medical care.
Myself as a nurse, see a major opportunity out there for healthcare facilitators. Professional that put the needs of the patient health as number one priority!
FINN Partners , Such an important conversation! It's so true that patients should play a key role in shaping their own care. Love the idea of shared decision-making and that every voice matters! How do you think we can encourage more patients to get involved in these discussions? 🤔💬 #PatientEngagement #HealthcareInnovation
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4dOne of the biggest Power couples I know! Erica and her son August!!! Erica is the facilitator for care of her son! She is envolved in every aspect of his care, getting every care team involved. Even to the point of getting second and third opinions and coordination Neurosurgery in Boston as part of his care. Shared decision making is crutil and every voice matters. But what happens when the patients lack the education or resources or their voices are not heard or standards are not held up??? Patients need resources and support while they navagate a sometimes unfamiliar healthcare journey. Erica has enormous knowledge in the healthcare , has been Augusts worlds best advocate and has made all the difference in his care and his outcomes. It is truly due to her love and tuely fierce determination in directing her sons that has made the difference. Doctors had given up hope on this little man, August, but Erica never did. There are millions out there facing a major healthcare crisis! I wish there was an Erica for each and everyone of them navigate their medical care. Myself as a nurse, see a major opportunity out there for healthcare facilitators. Professional that put the needs of the patient health as number one priority!