Jean Nidetch and six friends decided to try to lose weight together, meeting at her home to encourage and support each other in their quest. Their success drew more friends and in May, 1963, Nidetch launched a company based on the idea that peer support is key to weight control. Over 400 people showed up […]
Champions
Hack needed: Peer connection
This post is the latest in my series of “Wow! How? Health” stories, also shared on LinkedIn if you want to follow the conversation on that platform. It starts with a story that long-time readers of this blog will hopefully recognize! Ten years ago this week my friend Delina texted me: I am sweeping the kitchen and just found […]
Wow! How? Patient-Led Research Scorecards
Most stakeholders in biomedical innovation – scientists, clinicians, patients, caregivers, funders, regulators – recognize each other as allies in the fight against disease. But they often lack shared principles and practices to guide the work they do together. For example, a research organization may say they value patient input, but they do not recognize their […]
Wow! How? “Breaking Brad”
The latest in my series of stories that hopefully make you say, “Wow! How did they come up with that?” Bradley Burnam loved his job as a medical device sales rep because, as he puts it, he got to play doctor: wear scrubs, visit hospitals, and work with patients. But during one site visit he […]
The Black Panther Party’s Health Innovations
Here is the 40th in my series of “Wow! How? Health” stories, also shared on LinkedIn if you want to follow the conversation on that platform. In 1971, the Black Panther Party diagnosed the federal government’s failure to study sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease believed at the time to be found predominately in people […]
Rebel Health on The Nocturnists
Today is the one-year anniversary of the publication of my book, Rebel Health. To celebrate, I am inviting you to listen to my favorite conversation about why I wrote it and what lessons we can all draw from the patient-led revolution. Emily Silverman, MD, is the host of The Nocturnists. She suggested that I start […]
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