There’s no doubt about it. Taylor Coffman was a picture of health. The kind of woman, she says, who would walk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and out again with no problem. That all changed when an expected-to-be-routine delivery of her baby turned into a life-threatening ordeal involving multiple surgeries, a rare disease diagnosis and a fight for survival—one that might not have happened if she hadn't become her own advocate for her healthcare. In this inspiring and informational talk, Taylor shares her journey of becoming an empowered patient and how it significantly improved her chances for recovery. She'll also give you the tools so you can be an empowered patient, too. Playing an active role in your care is vital—it can mean the difference between life and death.

Research shows that when patients are involved in their own healthcare, their health outcomes can be improved. Taylor Coffman, who has dealt with her own health crisis and rare disease diagnosis, embraces patient groups and observes some of the most important conversations about healthcare happening outside the medical industry. And it’s something we can all do. In this talk, Taylor breaks down a different version of healthcare as a patient and the power of working simultaneously with your doctors and patient groups to get the best outcome. Patients are shaping the future of health decision-making and taking back power. It’s a place where everyone wins.

Taylor Coffman freely admits it: She’s a walking miracle. She survived atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and a cascade of life-threatening complications during the birth of her daughter. Her organs were damaged, she had PTSD and postpartum depression, and she lost her job. But what she can definitively tell you is she is happier now than ever before. In this talk, Taylor tells her story of resilience, strength and the power of hope. And how she found joy and purpose—transforming her life in a way she never imagined possible. It’s a powerful message that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, there is potential for profound growth and happiness for anyone, and she’ll show you how to get started.

Join Taylor Coffman as she explores the profound impact of storytelling in healthcare. Taylor's journey began with a healthy and active pregnancy that took a terrifying turn during childbirth, leading to life-threatening complications and a lengthy hospital stay. In this talk, Taylor underscores the importance of patient advocacy and the role storytelling plays in improving healthcare outcomes. She illustrates how personal narratives can foster connection, enhance care and drive systemic change. Her inspiring message is a call to action for everyone to harness the power of their experiences to create a more empathetic and effective healthcare system.

If there is just one thing that Taylor Coffman has learned throughout her years, it’s this: It’s possible to experience life-altering challenges—even trauma—and find beyond the pain something called post-traumatic growth. In this talk, Taylor shares how it is possible to thrive despite life's hardships, which in turn expands the capacity for joy. She also gives you the framework for building a better life—no matter what pain you've experienced—how to identify several key positive changes to identify Post Traumatic Growth and how to find a new purpose in life. “Maybe life has dealt you a bad hand, but that doesn't mean you can't win," she says.