Transplant Advisory Committee Member
Mary Baliker has a degree from the University of Wisconsin in Public Health and Psychology. Her professional work experience over the past 30 years includes innumerable international, national and state patient centered initiatives. She has worked with many healthcare organizations; including the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and Affinity Strategies; she has served as an organ procurement coordinator, clinical research transplant coordinator, outreach transplant education coordinator, grant writer and reviewer, and healthcare administration. Currently she works as a healthcare consultant as well as an inspirational speaker, educating, mentoring and informing attendees with her stories and personal journey. In addition to Mary’s consulting and volunteer work she has written a book on Amazon, “Maria Never Gives Up” “Are You Like Me?” in hopes to help other children and their families in their struggle with a health crisis.
Mary was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 9 and has undergone in-center hemodialysis various times in her life. At 17, she had a kidney transplant from her brother, Doug. Since then, she has had three more transplants, the last of which was in 1999. As a result of this life-long experience, she cherishes her life and possesses a strong interest to help improve healthcare, patient outcomes and quality of life.
Mary’s illness inspired her to become a fierce healthcare advocate. She serves on:
- Kidney Health Initiative Patient and Family Partnership Council
- National Kidney Foundation (peer mentor, advocacy committee, and policy committee)
- Midwest Kidney Network Board of Directors & Consumer Committee (ESRD Network 11)
- The National Forum of ESRD Networks; Kidney Patient Advisory Council
- NephCure Kidney International; Co-Regional Leader
- UW Health Patient and Family Advisory Committees
- Friends of UW Heath Board of Directors
- American Association of Kidney Patients: Field Ambassador
- Chronic Disease Coalition Ambassador
- American Kidney Fund; Advocate
- National Patient/Family Engagement Learning & Action Network Health Services Advisory Group
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