Presented September 4th, 2024 at the APSF Stoelting Conference 2024 on “Transforming Anesthetic Care: A Deep Dive into Medication Errors and Opioid Safety”
ABOUT THE SPEAKER(S)
Yvonne Gardner
Yvonne experienced an unimaginable loss in 2016 when her 21-year-old son, Parker, tragically passed away due to respiratory depression following a routine tonsillectomy. After this devastating event, Yvonne discovered that many others had also succumbed to similar circumstances after taking prescribed opioid medications. Determined to make a difference, she collaborated with the Utah State Legislature to pass a concurrent resolution aimed at educating the medical community about the often-overlooked dangers of opioid-induced respiratory depression. (https://le.utah.gov/~2018/bills/static/SCR004.html)
Cherishing the memories she shared with her son, Yvonne finds her greatest blessings in her husband, eight children, and eight grandchildren. She believes that navigating the challenges of life, including the profound grief of losing a loved one, requires finding the blessings amidst the trials. Quoting William Shakespeare, she often reflects how, “Tears water our growth.”
Through sharing her personal story and the stories of others in her community, Yvonne hopes to raise awareness and ultimately put an end to the preventable deaths caused by opioid-induced respiratory depression.
