Dr. Steve Raffin, Amazing Care Network’s (ACN) senior medical director, joined members and guests at the February 11 Afternoon Tea in the Bay Area. Steve discussed how ACN’s program to help families and patients with tough conversations especially at end of life, works via its Physician-Friends-of-the-Family program.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was the beneficiary of such a program seven years ago when my older brother was dying. I called on a dear friend, Dr. Tony Pfaffle, a nephrologist based in New York City, to help us sort through some confusing and complicated medical issues facing my brother. He helped my family understand what were probable options and the risks and benefits associated with each. I was finally able to come to terms with the idea that my brother was not going to recover and then I could let him go.

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Fast forward to 2015 when I founded The Amazing Care Network, and that experience with Dr. Pfaffle coupled with stories of friends who had a miserable time navigating their way through the maze of medical delivery options convinced me that a program like Physician-Friends-of-the-Family would be of great value to ACN members. The spirited question-and-answer period between Dr. Raffin and the Bay Area ACN audience affirmed for me that we’re on the right track. I’ve heard from some of the attendees who reacted very positively to the concept.

I hope it will be a long, long time before you will have a need for this service, but if/when you do, know that Dr. Raffin and his network will be happy to help you.

-Cora