Keeping a keen eye on what patients need

Brenda Hawkes is senior manager of patient advocacy at Diplomat, the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy. Diplomat brings personalized medication therapies to people with complex chronic diseases. Brenda leads Diplomat’s patient advocacy efforts, reaching out to support groups nationwide, teaching empathy to fellow employees, and keeping a keen eye on what patients need.

Good Days: Good Days works closely with specialty pharmacies to provide patients with instant access to medicine and treatments. You have a unique role as patient advocate within that partnership. How long have you worked with Good Days in this capacity?

BH: I’ve worked with Good Days professionally for six years now. As far as I know, I am the only person in the specialty pharmacy industry whose role is concentrated on patient advocacy.

Good Days: Your role is to represent the “voice of the patient” – which is exactly what Good Days works to promote as an advocacy organization. Can you speak to what brought you to that position and any personal experiences that shape your views on patient access and care?

BH: Certainly. I am a cancer survivor myself, and so is my husband, so I come to this role with very personal experiences as both a patient and a caregiver. In 2002, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer, and in 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our experiences were very different. Externally, my husband handled his cancer very well. He continued to bike regularly and to cook, which helped him deal with distress. Meanwhile, the cancer experience and treatments were much harder on me and even led to my being out of work for three years. It takes a toll on your family and your everyday living. I know from these experiences that cancers are not the same and you cannot compare cancer between people. Dealing with chronic illness is a process unique to each person.

Good Days: Do you have any advice you would share with our patient community reading this?

BH: With chronic illness, at times, everything you take for granted in your life can feel as though it is falling apart. I know from personal experiences that to make the best of your health care situation, you cannot give up. You must own your experience with your doctors. People are often too proud to ask for help. It isn’t easy. Remember that there are guides and resources that can assist you. They don’t want to take your pride away, but to help.

Good Days: Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.

BH: Thank you for the opportunity.

“To make the best of your health care situation, you cannot give up.”