A Patient and Parent Perspective From Inside the Healthcare System

Dr. Gwen Glew has dual board certifications in pediatrics and developmental pediatrics. She trained at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her residency along with two fellowships at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. She received a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington. She has worked as an attending physician for many years, caring for high-risk post-premature infants, children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism, fragile X and a number of other genetic and developmental disorders. She retired temporarily to care for her son, Duncan, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12. Duncan Glew, now 19, is a student at Harvard University. In addition to attending classes to receive his Bachelor’s, he is the business director at The Harvard Political Review.  

In today’s episode, Shay Beider welcomes Gwen and Duncan to talk about cancer treatment from a patient and parent perspective. They also discuss the role of privilege in the health-care system, and the importance of having an advocate throughout the treatment process. Gwen and Duncan share their experience moving the family across the country to receive better care, and what life has been like since then. They give advice on some of the institutional problems within medicine and how we can best “heal” the medical system as a whole. 

 

Show Notes:

For more information on how to participate in The Big Climb click here.   For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and how you can help click here.  

As always, this podcast was created by Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK). ITK is working to change the way people experience healthcare. ITK supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. We have pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™ and reach 3500 people each year in both the hospital and community settings. We engage communities in support of families struggling with special medical needs and offer unique Telehealth programs during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and contributors, families are able to receive our healing services free of charge.