Kristopher Sutter

Background

About Kristopher Sutter

I arm patients with knowledge to take control of their healthcare. I help medical providers engage with their heart. I will help you as a patient develop strategies for getting the best healthcare possible. Healthcare that is sensitive to your needs, aware of your challenges, is cost-effective and time-saving. For medical providers I will help you navigate the challenges of managed care, help you reengage with your patient's needs and identify ways to improve the system so that it functions better. I'm tired of seeing the healthcare system take patients time, money, and hope away. I want to see changes made that reflect respect to the individual that is suffering. Healthcare can help chronic illness patients make positive changes, but too often it just kicks the can down the road. Individuals with chronic illness are suffering physically, financially, and mentally. I want to see more heart in the system; more I'm going to do everything I can for you. I don't doubt the workers care-they have saved my life many times. They work hard and deserve success, but patients should gain as well, especially as there is too much wasted time, money or significant improvement in symptoms. The system has failed us all. The ones that truly care are further and further apart or have less power to effect positive change. Almost everyone I know who has to engage regularly with the healthcare system feels let down. I'm a clinical social worker, a systems thinker, that partners with clinical staff and healthcare providers to eliminate obstacles and find opportunities to improve the medical system. I help healthcare providers reconnect with why they became a helper in the first place and take a leadership role to lead change in their organizations. It’s time for some uncomfortable conversations about how we as a society and professionals approach disease management. Healthcare leaders and organizations must adapt to improve effective, efficient, compassionate and meaningful delivery of services that support individuals who are suffering. My experience as a counselor, a case manager and my own lengthy and complicated history with a chronic illness, Crohn’s disease, has given me unique insight into this system. I have seen the best and worst of it all. I've had thirteen intestinal and abdominal surgeries, sepsis seven times, abdominal abscesses, and frankly too many close calls. I have spent more than two years in the hospital, and have undergone countless medical procedures. I want us to be better, get better, and prevent unnecessary suffering.