Alicia R. Cole

Current

Healing Patient at Patient Safety Advocate

Past

Working Actor at Actress / Spokesperson (Self-employed)

Education

The Ohio State University

Recommended

1 person has recommended Alicia R.

Connections

118 connections

Industry

Hospital & Health Care

Websites

Alicia R. Cole’s Summary

Actress Alicia Cole is a Survivor of ‘Man-eating Flesh Disease’.

Following routine surgery at Providence Saint Joseph Hospital in Burbank, she developed a nosocomial (hospital acquired) infection diagnosed as Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Alicia endured 5 more surgeries to cut the disease from her abdomen, left butt cheek and left thigh. Doctors feared they would have to amputate her leg.

Her mother Betty (a non-medical retiree) was asked to help the doctor reopen her original incision, cut open two rows of sutures and pack Alicia with gauze. “It was the most surreal moment of my life to see my mother’s hands in my abdomen!”

Cole spent two months in the hospital recovering from what was to be a two day stay and the next year at home with twice daily nursing care.

The Survivor credits her parents Ron & Betty with saving her life and sister Christine with renewing her faith when she thought she wouldn’t make it.

Health officials estimate that 2 million patients a year will acquire a nosocomial infection during their hospital stay. Of those patients, over 100,000 will DIE.

Vowing if her life was spared, she would work to insure that no other family has to endure the trauma and burdens created by a preventable infection. While still in bed healing Alicia began using her experience to educate others via emails, letters and websites. She continues to increase her efforts by counseling with other Survivors of medical error. Alicia is now an advocate for hospital accountability and patient safety.

Cole created the Alliance for Safety Awareness for Patients to educate and protect patients through awareness of hospital infections such as necrotizing fasciitis, MRSA, VRE, sepsis and others. The organization works with established advocacy groups, healthcare providers and legislators to reduce the spread of preventable hospital acquired infections by empowering the public to make informed decisions and become proactive participants in their healthcare.

Alicia R. Cole’s Specialties:

Ms. Cole was the first member of the public to address Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Committee on Hospital Associated Infections, as part of her efforts to campaign for public reporting of hospital acquired infection rates and screening for MRSA.

Alicia was a participant in the SAFE HEALTH CARE NOW! Infection Summit sponsored by Consumers Union, StopHospitalInfections.org. Consumers Union is the well respected publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine.

Alicia R. Cole’s Experience

Healing Patient

Patient Safety Advocate

(Hospital & Health Care industry)

August 2006 — Present (3 years)
Working Actor
Actress / Spokesperson (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Entertainment industry)

September 1993 — August 2006 (13 years)

Prior to her illness Alicia was a working actress. She is a 15 year veteran of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television & Radio Artist.

Alicia was the Founder and President of The Actor’s Resource, an educational networking organization for actors. She self- published the Los Angeles Actor’s SpeedDial and the San Diego Actor's Resource. A comprehensive guide to using the San Diego and Orange County venues to gain experience and build a foundation before heading to Los Angeles.

Always active in speaking and working with youth groups, The Actor’s Resource awarded a Teen Actor’s Scholarship for tuition to the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

Alicia R. Cole’s Education

The Ohio State University

Additional Information

Alicia R. Cole’s Websites:

Alicia R. Cole’s Groups:

Consumer Advocate/Representative - California Department of Public Health's Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Committee to Gov. Schwarzenegger.