Beebe's Steve Cahoon receives national award
Steve Cahoon, MSW, LCSW, a patient advocate at Beebe Medical Center, has been recognized by the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy for his patient advocacy work at both the local and the national level.
The society honored Cahoon by presenting him with the prestigious Ruth Ravich Award during the annual conference this month in St. Louis, Mo. Ruth Ravich was the founder and first president of the society, and was committed to improving healthcare services and communication between patients and their healthcare providers. The society is affiliated with the American Hospital Association.
While the society was founded in 1971, the role of patient representative was born in the 1960s to follow up on patient complaints regarding service and delivery of care in healthcare institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. The role has expanded over the decades to become a key component in quality assessment and improvement of care.
Cahoon has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland, and he is a licensed social worker. He joined Beebe Medical Center in 1999 as a discharge planner in case management after working as a social worker at Johns Hopkins University Hospital for six years. In 2002, he joined Beebe’s Patient Relations Department as the patient advocate. Cahoon’s focus at Beebe Medical Center is on patient satisfaction and improving the patient experience across the system. He also has been active in programs to educate staff members on patient satisfaction. Cahoon also regularly presents information on advance directives to consumer groups in the community.
His work has not stopped in Sussex County. He has been a member of the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy since 2004 and has served on the board for four years. He also chaired the annual conference in 2008 and 2011.
“We are pleased but not surprised to learn that Steve has received this well-deserved recognition,” says Jeffrey M. Fried, president and CEO of Beebe Medical Center. “His commitment and dedication have made a difference not only at Beebe Medical Center but throughout the nation. He is a true advocate for the patient and works hard to open the doors of communication between patients and their caregivers and healthcare providers.”
Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness and restore optimal health with the people residing, working or visiting in the communities it serves. For more information, go to www.beebemed.org.
