Another Quiet Hero of the Patient Safety Movement
Dale Ann Micalizzi took her 11-year-old son Justin to a hospital in upstate New York one evening because his ankle had an infection that needed to be drained. It was supposed to be a 10-minute procedure. Justin never woke up.
That happened in 2001. Today, Dale and her husband Gary head up a non-profit group called Justin's HOPE, which is dedicated to improving health care for children. She speaks often to medical staff in hospitals. One important message she gives to hospital administrators: When a mistake has happened, deal openly and honestly with the parents.
Any parent who can turn their grief into something positive is a real hero. Especially when that child has died an unnecessary, preventable death due to medical errors, the easier thing would be to retreat into numbness and bitterness. So I salute Dale Micalizzi.
I celebrate a number of heroes of the patient safety movement in my book, The Life You Save: Nine Steps to Finding the Best Medical Care -- and Avoiding the Worst.
You can read more about Dale's advocacy in an article in the Schenectady Gazette.
People interested in learning more about our firm's legal services, including medical malpractice in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, may ask questions or send us information about a particular case by phone or email. There is no charge for contacting us regarding your inquiry. A malpractice attorney will respond within 24 hours.
All contents copyrighted 2010 Patrick Malone & Associates except where copyright held by others. Reproduction in any form prohibited except where expressly granted.
