Kevin Wake is currently the chairman for University Health’s Patient & Family Advisory Committee.  He is also the President of the Uriel E. Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Midwest in Kansas City, KS. He has a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the University of Kansas and worked in pharmaceutical sales and management for 23 years before taking an early retirement due to health complications from his sickle cell disease.  He also has a master’s degree in Healthcare Informatics from Walden University and a Community Health Worker certification from the SCDAA.  Here’s a glimpse of what you will learn: How a patient’s story and lived experience has the power to drive change in the healthcare ecosystem The different levels of patient engagement and how a patient can be empowered to partner with their healthcare environment. The importance and strategies to ensure health systems provide an environment for meaningful patient engagement   In this episode…. Kevin Wake shares his journey from patient to patient advocate. You will hear how he began to engage with his local Sickle Cell organization and quickly became a national champion. His story will inspire you into action. He also explains how to provide a welcoming environment where patients and providers can come together collaboratively to drive change in your healthcare ecosystem.