Sarah Hamilton – HCS22
Patient Advisor, Patient Voices Network
My name is Sarah Hamilton I am a mother of 3 teens, a wife of 20+ years, an enthusiastic athlete, and an advocate of using technology to achieve better health outcomes. I was employed many years as a sales professional in the high tech industry with a focus in healthcare.
My life was flipped upside down in 2017 when I was diagnosed with a cerebellopontine meningioma(brain tumor). Then an 11 hour craniotomy followed to remove the large tumor that was fully compressing my brain stem.
For about 10 years this tumor grew in my head but in the last 18 months before diagnosis I experienced a multitude of health related issues from the tumor. After surgery it left me with new deficits & challenges with my vision, hearing, balance, Cognitive abilities and a debilitating startle symptom. As a million dollar patient my recovery path now is giving back by blending my unique patient experience with my health technology background, tied in with my enjoyment of public speaking; to help improve health outcomes for all. I have an unique understanding of what it is like to navigate the health system which provides me with important insights on the needs, preferences and values that are important to users of the system. Through the sharing of my health care journey, my advisor role offers valuable insight on what healthcare does well and where we can make improvements. One of my key learns is that I need to advocate for myself in the healthcare system. I am Empowered to be the positive voice of the patient in partnering with healthcare initiatives.
My name is Sarah Hamilton I am a mother of 3 teens, a wife of 20+ years, an enthusiastic athlete, and an advocate of using technology to achieve better health outcomes. I was employed many years as a sales professional in the high tech industry with a focus in healthcare.
My life was flipped upside down in 2017 when I was diagnosed with a cerebellopontine meningioma(brain tumor). Then an 11 hour craniotomy followed to remove the large tumor that was fully compressing my brain stem.
For about 10 years this tumor grew in my head but in the last 18 months before diagnosis I experienced a multitude of health related issues from the tumor. After surgery it left me with new deficits & challenges with my vision, hearing, balance, Cognitive abilities and a debilitating startle symptom. As a million dollar patient my recovery path now is giving back by blending my unique patient experience with my health technology background, tied in with my enjoyment of public speaking; to help improve health outcomes for all. I have an unique understanding of what it is like to navigate the health system which provides me with important insights on the needs, preferences and values that are important to users of the system. Through the sharing of my health care journey, my advisor role offers valuable insight on what healthcare does well and where we can make improvements. One of my key learns is that I need to advocate for myself in the healthcare system. I am Empowered to be the positive voice of the patient in partnering with healthcare initiatives.
