Tribute to Polly Arango

Polly Arango, Founder of Family Voices and current faculty member of the Institute for HealthCare Improvement was to be with us this morning to share her wisdom from her years of dedication to the concepts of Family Centered Care. Tragically, Polly was killed in an accident on June 26, 2010.  Polly is remembered as a passionate, visionary, persistent, powerful, humble, and tireless mother, advocate, mentor and friend whose belief in the power of community was exemplified in her lifetime of work for families and children.

Her friend and colleague, Dr. Don Berwick, MD had the following to say of Polly:

“I, too, was deeply affected by getting to know Polly. She was courageous, clear, and gracious always as she explained to all of us what a truly person-centered and family-centered health care system would look like. She was visionary and relentless in the most wonderful way as an advocate for patients and communities, especially the most vulnerable among us, and she was always a trustworthy and warm advisor and friend. I will miss Polly immensely, even as my colleagues and I try to live up to her teaching and her legacy on behalf of patients and families.”

The planning committee for the Southern California Patient & Family Centered Care Conference would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Polly Arango.  We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Don Berwick for graciously giving his time, energy and expertise in the video he filmed for our keynote. Their respectful, warm partnership exemplifies the very heart of Family Centered Care.