Stacey Mack’s Burn Injury Journey

Stacey has worked as a medical Speech Language Pathologist for the past 14 years Trained and employed by the University of Washington medical system, she values universal and evidence-based care. Her skills include both adult and pediatric patients in acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings. She enjoys serving diverse and underserved populations. Stacey feels a medical team is most effective with a multi-disciplinary approach. She believes shared decision making with the patient results in a wholistic approach that best serves the patient.

Her main interests are serving burn survivors. Her interest in burn injuries stems from her father recounting a boyhood injury to his right leg and how different burn therapy was in the 70's. She provides facial and cervical range of motion to burn survivors to support functional eating, drinking, communicating and emotive facial expressions for social pragmatics at Harborview Medical Center. She loves to see the advancement in healthcare for complex burn patients which improve later quality of life. Further, she volunteers during the summers for Camp Eyabset which provides a safe and fun place for young burn survivors to focus on quality of life through team building and self-assurance after life altering obstacles.

Stacey is also interested in traumatic brain injuries because of her fascination with brain physiology and the organ’s resilience. She is a certified brain injury specialist (CBIS) and has dedicated a large portion of her career to attempting holistic treatment and supporting life after the hospital journey. Recently Stacey helped build protocols to assess and treat individuals with Disorders of Consciousness.

What does Stacey think of the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources?

The thoughtful design, incorporating multiple forms like videos, info comics, and fact sheets, ensures accessibility for all learners. The information categorization allows for digestible, on-demand learning, avoiding information overload. Crucially, the integration of readily available research and community resources empowers individuals, caregivers, and families to navigate their journey with comprehensive support.

Why does Stacey want to be a MSKTC ambassador?

Stacey wants to become an MSKTC ambassador so she can best present the evidence-based resources to the patients she supports in the Burn and TBI communities. While treatment has advanced so greatly, too few are aware of the information that is readily available, and as an ambassador, Stacey can work to bring those resources to those who need them.

What has Stacey done as an MSKTC ambassador?

Stacey regularly prints off MSKTC resources and uses them to educate patients and their families. She makes sure to inform her colleagues that MSKTC provides useful information for their own practices, and are made with the latest research.