Patient Safety Organization Finds New Platform, Same Strong Voice

DENVER - Oct. 9, 2014 - PRLog -- Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO) and The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care announce the collaborative transfer of Citizens for Patient Safety (CPS) from ACCO to The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care effective October 13, 2014. During the past seven years at ACCO, CPS founder and director Patty Skolnik has developed a patient safety curriculum and spearheaded legislation that ensures transparency in healthcare statewide.

Skolnik believes that CPS’ formative years at ACCO “created a safe place to discover how to tell [my son] Michael’s story while beginning a journey of family healing and broader purpose. Patient safety was virtually an unknown issue, and Judy Ham [ACCO President and CEO] saw the potential impact on healthcare in Colorado. ACCO provided a vital incubation period for CPS as an educational platform.”

The newly reorganized Colorado Foundation for Medical Care has enlisted Skolnik as Director of Healthcare Safety. The CPS mission to increase engagement for better medical outcomes will be foundational for this healthcare learning services consortium.  “Patty has been such a champion for the voices of patients and families, and, through CPS, has created actionable tools and resources at all levels.  Her working knowledge is vital to bridging the gap between patients and providers and our capacity to facilitate fully integrated healthcare solutions,” said CEO John Bozin.

ACCO remains committed to patient safety and looks forward to partnering with Skolnik and The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care in the future. “At Ability Connection, Patty has brought patient safety to the forefront of the national healthcare conversation,” said Ham. “The time is right to pass the baton, and we wholeheartedly support this move.”

About Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO)
Founded in 1946, Ability Connection Colorado is a nonprofit organization that servespeople with disabilities through inclusive programs in education, employment and family support. We help children and families connect and thrive. www.abilityconnectioncolorado.org   @AbilityColorado (http://twitter.com/abilitycolorado)  #WeSeeAbility  #ParentPower  #TogetherWeCan

About Citizens for Patient Safety (CPS)
Citizens for Patient Safety is dedicated to increasing patient/provider engagement for better healthcare outcomes. CPS offers training for consumers and medical professionals in team-based communication, shared decision-making and informed consent. www.citizensforpatientsafety.org   @SkolnikPatty  #MichaelsAngels

About the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care
The Colorado Foundation for Medical Care is a not-for-profit organization that serves clients worldwide. As a global learning institute, it offers a variety of educational tools, trainings, certifications and learning improvement resources for multiple professional settings. For more information, please contact Linda Sample at 720-460-4151 or LSample@cfmc.org.