An avid patient advocate, Jennifer Dingman joined the Cautious Patient Foundation as an Advisory Board member. In this position, Jennifer offers input, ideas and expert advice on the Foundation’s key issues in order to bring changes to the current healthcare system.
From more than 14 years, she has volunteered her services to improve the quality of the healthcare system in the U.S. She believes that patient involvement, and promoting an equal partnership between the doctor and the patient, is the most effective way to achieve better quality in the healthcare industry.
After her mother’s death in 1995 due to errors in medical diagnoses and treatment, Jennifer realized that there is little to no help available for patients and their families in similar situations.
This life-changing experience left her feeling vulnerable and she decided to dedicate her services to help prevent medical tragedies from happening to others.
In 1996, Jennifer founded PULSE of Colorado, now a national organization, as a platform to support patients and their families who had experienced medical errors and other adverse medical outcomes. Additionally, she became an active member of the National Patient Safety Foundation and served on numerous committees, including the Board of Governors.
She is a member of Champion for Patient Safety, and represented the organization at the 2005 Patients for Patient Safety Workshop in London and the 2006 Pan American Health Organization Workshop in San Francisco to discuss patient safety and empowerment. Jennifer also served on the board of directors for a local Colorado-based community health center for six years and currently sits on the local school district’s health advisory board.
For her tireless efforts, she has won national recognition, including the 2004 Patient Safety Award given by the Colorado Patient Safety Coalition, where Jennifer is a member, and the 2007 Pete Conrad Patient Safety Award.
Her invaluable input from a patient’s perspective is widely sought by healthcare groups that are addressing patient-safety issues. Jennifer’s energy and compassion help both patients and doctors alike.
