Our Work

Founded in 2003, the Task Force's Justin's Hope project focuses on HOPE: Healthcare Openness, Professionalism and Excellence. Through the efforts of Justin's Hope, the Task Force provides education, research and reform toward quality and compassion in healthcare delivery. The vision for this project is to promote quality, safe, compassionate, patient and family centered healthcare and resolution of issues around medical errors through full disclosure.

This project was founded and continues to be managed by Dale Micalizzi, in memory of her son, Justin A. Micalizzi, who died at the age of 11 following an incision and drainage of a septic ankle. Through this project, the Task Force provides an opportunity for the community to learn from the experience of the Micalizzi family and to improve pediatric healthcare and the current system of responding to adverse events.

Recently, Ms. Micalizzi co-authored an article published in cooperation within the Health Issues Center of Victoria's Health Consumer Organization (Australia) with Marie M. Bismark MD, JD of the University of Melbourne.  The article is available here. For further information about the Health Issues Center, please visit their website: www.healthissuescentre.org.au
The Justin's Hope project maintains a healthcare blog at this link.

Ms. Micalizzi has also co-authored an article in Pediatric Anesthesia, "What happens when things go wrong" with Drs. Barbara Brandom and Patrick Callahan of UPMC found here.
 Justin A. Micalizzi