An Educated Patient

PATIENT, CAREGIVER, AND CLINICIAN STORIES TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER, AND SOMETIMES UPLIFT.

GUEST POSTS ARE WELCOME.

Sue Checchio experienced the unexpected deaths of her parents (aged 69 and 72) due to medical mistakes. Her desire to understand the medical “business,” along with her love of research and writing, led her to Boston University, where she graduated with a MSc in Health Communication. Sue believes in the importance of education to empower patients and their loved ones.

"I want to encourage you in this work. You have the talent for writing up these vignettes, and they are so important."

Thomas Moore, # 1 NYT Bestselling Author of Care of the Soul

"Your new website is wonderful and a truly important and needed resource. The essay about (Annie) is powerful and heart-wrenching. What a brilliant job you did. I also enjoyed the piece on Thomas Moore, whose work I’ve read and admired.

I’m very glad you shared this project with me. I send you much encouragement and belief in what you’re doing." Sue Monk Kidd, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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Sue Checchio

Who is the Patient?

Mary Ann was unmarried and had no children when she suddenly fell ill while on vacation. Her family was across the country, and hospitals...

What is Narrative Medicine and How Can it Help You?

Sue Checchio

What is Narrative Medicine and How Can it Help You?

Heather Summerhayes Cariou is a classically trained actress, singer, dancer, and writer. She has a big, colorful personality and a...

Sue Checchio

The Power of a Letter

We can't help but feel helpless when someone we care about faces the end of their life. We offer to bring meals, volunteer to do errands,...

Sue Checchio

Communication and Soul in Medicine

Bestselling author Thomas Moore couldn’t agree more with William Osler, widely regarded as "The Father of Modern Medicine." During his...

Florrie Munat

Love Remains

“Are you going to write about this?” Chuck asked. I stopped sorting the pile of laundry that a nursing home aide had just left on his bed...

Pulmonary Embolisms - A Leading Cause of Hospital Preventable Deaths: 70% Can Be Prevented

Sue Checchio

Pulmonary Embolisms - A Leading Cause of Hospital Preventable Deaths: 70% Can Be Prevented

After a misdiagnosis and a host of mishaps, my 69-year-old mother lay on crisp, white sheets in an intensive care unit hospital bed with...

Marianne Sciucco

14 Helpful Tips for the Long-Distance Caregiver

It started with a voice mail from my brother: “Mom’s been in a car accident. Call Linda.” Linda, my cousin, was my mother’s “other...

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Supportive Words

I’m very glad you shared this project with me. I send you much encouragement and belief in what you’re doing." Sue Monk Kidd NYT Bestselling Author

"They (your essays) are very well-written, full of heart, and very intelligent. I’ll make them known to the people who follow me. I hope you keep writing them because there are so many issues to explore." Thomas Moore, NYT Bestselling Author

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