The Empowered Patient: About the Author

The Empowered Patient

Informing patients of their vital role in
creating a smarter, safer health care system.

The Empowered Patient is a 50,000-word book that enables patients and their loved ones to successfully navigate complex medical delivery systems. The book's goal is to encourage, embolden and enlighten medical consumers and their advocates to proactively participate in their own medical treatment.
Jan 20th Release date
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About the Author
Dr. Hallisy obtained her BS in Biological Science from the University of San Francisco in 1984 and a second Bachelor’s degree from the University of California in Dental Sciences. In 1988, Dr. Hallisy also received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry. Since then, she has been in continuous private practice in San Francisco, California.

Her second child, Katherine Eileen, was diagnosed at five months of age with bilateral retinoblastoma. Dealing with her daughter’s life-threatening diagnosis, the many recurrences of cancer, and the subsequent treatments for the malignant and aggressive tumors marked the beginning an almost 20-year involvement in our healthcare system. The unique combination of her scientific training, her work as a healthcare provider, and guiding a child through a chronic illness has afforded her invaluable insight as an advocate for patients.

Dr. Hallisy began to research the topic of patient safety in 1998 and has worked with the California Nurses Association on the proposition 216 campaign for HMO reform. She has spoken at rallies with Ralph Nader and provided testimony at San Francisco City Hall at the request of Senator Barbara Boxer to promote the passage of legislation for a Patients’ Bill of Rights. In 2002, Dr. Hallisy spoke before the California State Senate on the issue of Futile Care policies. In 2006, Dr. Hallisy was a recipient of a scholarship from the National Patient Safety Foundation to attend their annual national congress as a consumer advocate. Dr. Hallisy has worked with AARP on a patient advocate journal and has lobbied for health care reform in Washington, DC with Consumers Union. In 2009, Dr. Hallisy formed a non-profit organization ,The Empowered Patient Coalition, dedicated to providing educational and advocacy resources for the public.

Dr. Hallisy is committed to and passionate about the subjects of patient safety, health care reform and medical error reduction. Her personal and professional goals include working diligently to help give patients a voice in healthcare solutions

Dr. Hallisy was born and raised in San Francisco, where she lives with her husband, John Hallisy, and their two sons, Daniel and Kevin. The Hallisy’s ten-year old daughter, Kate, lost her life-long battle with cancer in February 2000.