Advocacy Spotlight: Lisa Poiry, RN, OCN
CPAN Chapter Advocacy Leader, Director of Quality Services, Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology
Patient voices are key to keeping momentum for community oncology alive in the halls of state capitols and Congress. As the leader of Indiana’s first COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) chapter, Lisa Poiry understands the power of patients sharing their stories.
“Patients are the ones facing the real challenges in cancer care, from limited access to increased costs. The story is what humanizes our experiences and makes it meaningful,” Lisa says. “Without patient stories, lawmakers would never understand the complexity of what goes on.”
As the director of quality services at Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology, Lisa develops close relationships with patients and helps ensure their voices are heard, especially when they are often left out of policy decisions that affect their care.
With CPAN-provided resources, Lisa keeps patients up to speed on the biggest policy opportunities in cancer care, and helps them directly advocate to federal, state, and local lawmakers. Together, education and patient stories create and impact change on legislation.
“Resources and available care options should be accessible to every patient,” Lisa says. “I’m grateful that COA has helped our practice guide patients through the care process and understand what is available to them.”
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