5 Influential Patients in Social Media

Kelly Young, Kari Ulrich,Virna Elly at Mayo Clinic Social Media Summit 2011

There is a lot of talk about influential people in health care, many are lists of physicians, health care executives and organizations.  There is another group of that cannot be forgotten. Lets lead a discussion about influential patients. Here are some e-patients that have been most influential to me. Lets add on to this list! Let me know what e-patients are influencing you and why? What qualities makes a patient influential?

Kelly Young  Fighting Rheumatoid Arthritis with humor, wisdom and strength.

Twitter: @rawarrior  http://rawarrior.com/

Virna Elly  Fighting Diabetes with courage, intelligence and squirrels.

Twitter: @VirnaElly http://patientsperspective.org/about/

Laura Haywood-Cory  Fighting Heart Disease with compassion, empathy and determination.

Twitter @ncscadsurvivor  http://a-changeofheart.blogspot.com/

Melissa Travis Fighting Lupus with grace, education and whit.

Twitter: @DrSnit  http://drsnitwithlupus.blogspot.com/

Sarah E. Kucharski  Fighting Fibromuscular Dysplasia with honesty, integrity and wombats.

Twitter: @AfternoonNapper http://afternoonnapsociety.blogspot.com/

Selflessness in Social Media

To be selfless is having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish. (Dictionary.com)

I wake up this beautiful Monday morning discussing selflessness with my husband over a cup coffee. It is rare morning that he does not have to rush into the hospital. We both have spent this past Sunday with an incredible woman that defines this word.  I believe selflessness is contagious because it has spilled over to many lives influenced by Natalie Niekro.  Natalie has devoted her life to raising money for brain aneurysm research. She does not seek fame, nor does she take a paycheck for the incredible work she does with the Joe Niekro Foundation. Her devotion is purely to serve others that face incredible challenges in their life.

During one of many coffee refills, I flip on my laptop to see what is happening with the social media world. Again I find another person that defines the word. Robert W. West, Jr, PhD . We have been discussing the role of genetics in chronic illness. He is engaged with what I have to say about Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). We discuss the lack of genetic information available to those with FMD and the medical community. What amazes me is that he took the time to listen, understand and explain.  Dr. West did not receive a consultation fee, nor did he gain any publicity (this was a DM conversation).  

Both Natalie Niekro and Dr. West are both examples of why social media is important in health care. Health Care in Social Media should serve others selflessly. HCSM is not about a paycheck, fame or your KLOUT score.  It is a powerful tool and when used in a positive way can impact millions of lives.