Friday, October 28, 2016
Gary and Danielle Cipolloni had a classic love story. They met 47 years ago as high school sweethearts and were married shortly after.
The couple shared many experiences throughout their lives. After Gary’s retirement from teaching high school math and physics in 2003, they were planning to do so much more. Then Danielle discovered a lump in her breast while taking a shower. The couple immediately sought medical guidance at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn.
After a mammogram and surgery, they discovered only five months later that the cancer had spread through her entire body and bones. It was terminal.
Gary became Danielle’s advocate. He spoke on her behalf with doctors, nurses and other care providers and listened to what they had to say about her condition.
“It was more than just a job for them,” said Cipolloni. “There was a huge human element that was involved and was so perceptible. I knew in my heart that she would be well taken care of and would have everything she needed. It was just an incredible experience.”
Danielle was at Beaumont, Dearborn for 65 days before going into hospice care. She died a couple of weeks later surrounded by family at her sister’s home.
“We knew her condition was terminal. We knew the cancer was going to win. She knew she was dying and yet she had joy in her because of the wonderful care she received. It was essentially the worst time of her life and the staff at Beaumont made it bearable.”
Patient and Family Centered Care Hospitals across the country are turning more toward Patient and Family Centered Care models. According to Beaumont Health’s chief nursing officer, Susan Grant, the National Patient Safety Foundation emphasizes the importance of meaningful engagement with patients and families and the importance of information sharing.
“We are all partners in the care experience, said Grant. “As a health system, we want to explore how to better engage patients and their families and we believe we can do that by welcoming and encouraging families to be present and a part of the care team with their loved ones to provide them with the support system they need.”
Patient and Family Advisory Councils are being established and refined all across Beaumont Health. They’re comprised of patients and family members (known as Patient and Family Advisors), physicians, nurses, care providers and administrators who can help make decisions, listen and incorporate patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and culture in to care planning and delivery.
“This is about tapping into the strengths every patient and family member brings to the care experience. It is about partnering with patients and families and not doing things to or for them rather than with them,” said Grant.
Not surprisingly, one of the first members of the newly established patient and family advisory council at Beaumont, Dearborn was Gary Cipolloni. Gary has made it his mission to remember his wife by continuing to help others by sharing his story monthly with new employees at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn.
To date, he’s talked to more than 1,000 employees. He has also established a fund in Danielle’s name with the Beaumont, Dearborn Foundation.
“I wanted to give back. I wanted to inform the new employees of what great people are already there and that they should take a cue and learn from the older employees to be compassionate, kind, caring and considerate.” “Danielle was a very witty, intelligent, giving and loving person. This whole process, and sharing her story – it is helping me heal, too.