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Patient to Patient Mentoring Program

Connecting with a Patient Mentor



Back to Patient Mentoring Program | Go to Being a Patient Mentor

Patient Mentors are here to help.

  • Enjoy the benefits of having social support from patients like yourself.
     
  • Learn about treatment options from patients with real life experience.

  • Set personal goals and talk about them with a patient mentor.

  • Obtain useful resources and support to strengthen your partnership with the healthcare team.

Explore and Connect with a Patient Mentor

Get to know our Mentors by exploring their profiles and watching their introduction videos organized by topic of interest below. While the featured mentors can help you get started, we also have additional mentors available and can connect you with the person who best fits your needs. When you're ready to connect with a mentor, complete the Online Application. If you need assistance, please ask a staff member at your center or contact the Network contact for support.

Sarah Ruiz

Sarah

Richard Keller

Richard

Frederick Werner

Frederick

Keyla Aviles

Keyla

Maureen Nigro

Maureen

Tracey Amadi

Tracy

Mark Eisen

Mark

Dagnaris Rodriguez

Dagnaris

Ellyne Dombro

Ellyne

Jeremy Parroco

Jeremy

Robert Silvera

Robert

Pamela Zaraza

Pamela

Hakeen Wilkins

Hakeen

Stephanie Cisne

Stephanie

Teresa Parker

teresa parker

Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez

George McComb

George McComb

LaVise McCray

LaVise McCray

Tameka Savage

Tameka Savage

Richard Marrero

Richard Marrero

Luz Acevedo Fantauzzi

Luz Acevedo Fantauzzi

Yaseira Rivera

Yaseira Rivera

Sonia Gutierrez

Sonia Gutierrez

Orlando Torres

Orlando Torres

Michael Limbaugh

Michael Limbaugh

Carmen Baez

Carmen Baez

Loraine Mendolia

Loraine Mendolia

Jennifer Voigt

Jennifer Voigt

Zoeh Arana

Zoeh Arana

Miguel Martinez Diaz

Miguel Martinez Diaz

Otoniel Martinez

Otoniel Martinez

Yan (Jake) Danishevsky

Yan (Jake) Danishevsky

Steve Schneider

Steve Schneider

Mentee DO's

1. Understand and communicate needs and goals. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your needs and goals to your mentor. Remember, a mentor is not a replacement for any healthcare professional and cannot provide any medical advice.
2. Value your mentor's time. Set aside time for the mentoring process, keep all scheduled appointments with your mentor and display appropriate behavior.
3. Use your time wisely. Put the time with your mentor to best use. Come to meeting(s) with questions or topics you want to discuss, or experiences you'd like to hear from your mentor.
4. Be open and honest.

Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and experiences but you don’t have to share anything you’re not comfortable sharing.

Mentee DON'Ts

1. Ask for medical advice.

Don't ask your mentor for medical advice.
2. Expect the mentor to know all the answers.

Don't expect your mentor to know all the answers.
3. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep. Don't commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
4. Cancel meetings last minute

Don't cancel meetings with your mentor at the last minute, if possible. Try to communicate a day and time to reschedule with your mentor as soon as possible.

 
5. Cross lines of respect.

Don't interpret your mentor’s friendly demeanor as an invitation to cross lines of respect between each other. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a mentor? Browse the list of mentors and decide which mentor you would like to connect with. Complete the program’s application and submit it to your facility staff or fax it to the Network's contact: Yessi Cubillo at 609-490-0835.
How will I be introduced to my mentor? Your dialysis facility’s staff and Network contact will work closely with you and the mentor to assist with this process.
How long will mentors be available? Mentors are available to connect with you throughout your journey. You and your mentor can decide how often and for how long you speak. If a mentor must leave the relationship early, we can always re-match you with a new mentor.
If things aren’t going the way I expected with my mentor, can I select someone else? Yes. Please let your facility staff know or communicate the need for change to the Network contact. 

Additional Kidney Patient Support Opportunities

Renal Support Network (RSN) HOPEline (A Peer Support Hotline - "Support from Someone Who's Been There")

  • (800) 579-1970 (Toll-Free from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT)


GetSetUp (English Flyer/ Spanish Flyer)

  • In an effort to combat social isolation, the NJ Human Services Department has partnered with GetSetUp, an interactive online learning community, to provide free, live virtual classes for New Jersians ages 60 and older. The GetSetUp platform offers live classes taught by peers who are experts in their field, social hours hosted by community members, and special events with speakers who directly address areas of interest to older adults. You may choose from more than 500 available classes on a range of topics such as aging in place, computers, budgeting, mental fitness, and more. Classes are offered 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin. 


NKF PEERS

  • NKF PEERS is a peer-mentoring program, where kidney patients are connected via phone with trained mentors who have been there themselves. Peer mentors can share their experiences with dialysis, transplant, or living kidney donation with you.

Network Contact

Yessi Cubillo

Patient Engagement Specialist & Regional Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Grievances, IVD/IVT, Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Patient and Family Engagement, Emergency Preparedness

General Contact Information

  • Patient Toll-Free: 844.238.1190

  • Facilities Toll-Free: 844.238.1188

  • General Fax: 877.725.9998

  • Grievance & IVD Fax: 877.497.5065

Mailing Address

Quality Insights
PO Box 29274
Henrico, VA 23242