Cara Coleman

Cara Coleman is a nationally recognized family partner, speaker, medical educator, narrative medicine practitioner, attorney and advocate.

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The work of the foundation is inspired and informed by the life and ways of a little bluebird, Cara's daughter Justice Hope, who died at age 11. The light in Justice's eyes and her smile were as brilliant and flashy as the wings of the bluebird- catching your eye, drawing you in, and helping us all soar. She was many things to many people- most notably, she was a teacher, using the book "I am Justice, Hear me Roar" to teach medical students and residents about patient and family-centered care and humanism. Cara shares about Justice's bluebird and many other stories and experiences of her family (“The Coleman Chaos”) navigating life, multiple systems of care (and teams), end of life, grief and joy to guide and anchor her work.

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Writer & Educator: Cara is the author of the children’s book “I am Justice, Hear Me Roar” about her daughter and has published in several Journals and online sites. She is Associate Editor for Family Partnerships for the Executive Editorial Board of Pediatrics. She is currently an Instructor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia Medical School and was an Instructor of Pediatrics with VCU School of Medicine for 8 years.

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Select Publications: 

Not Just Along for the Ride: Families are the Engine that Drives Pediatric Home Care by Cara L. Coleman

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190415.172668/full/

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Talking Matters blog post, The Conversation Project, December 11, 2018, https://theconversationproject.org/tcp-blog/talking-matters/

 

“Secondary Loss,” Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine, December 12, 2017, http://www.gold-foundation.org/newsroom/blog/secondary-loss/

 

“I am not a Layperson,” Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine, May 10, 2016  http://www.gold-foundation.org/i-am-not-a-layperson/

 

“Why starting a Relationship with a New Doctor is like Dating” themighty.com January 2016, https://themighty.com/2016/01/why-starting-a-relationship-with-a-new-doctor-is-like-dating/

 

“9 Things I wish Doctors Would Do While interacting With My Child With A Disability” themighty.com, October 2015, https://themighty.com/2015/10/9-things-i-wish-doctors-would-do-while-interacting-with-my-child-with-a-disability/

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Advocate, Partner & Advisor: Cara has worked for a number of family-led organizations, most recently as Director of Policy and Advocacy at Family Voices (a national family-led organization advocating for children and youth with special healthcare needs and their families) and as a Family Engagement Specialist at the Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care. Cara has also served in a variety of advisory roles, such as Liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities and a Gubernatorial appointment to the Virginia Board of Medical Assistance Services.

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Research: She has partnered in a number of research projects, such as the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health funded Advancing a Family-Centered Evidence-Based Home Health Agenda in which she was co-principal investigator. Current research efforts focus on narrative medicine practices, medical education, and home health.

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Other Work History: In the past, Cara worked as an adult health specialist, a case manager for homeless pregnant women, a counselor in a shelter for battered women, a law clerk for a Judge, immigration subject matter consultant, and an attorney serving low-income immigrants. 

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Education: Cara is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, has a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University and her Law Degree from Temple University. Cara also has a Certificate of Professional Achievement in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.

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Awards:

2019 Moose Krause Award Winner for Distinguished Service from the University of Notre Dame Monogram Club https://und.com/cara-garvey-coleman-95-swimming-to-receive-moose-krause-distinguished-service-award/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDnI2ZY4fCk

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2018 IPFCC Partnership Award Families in Medical School Curriculum: PCMH and Beyond 

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