Terrie Fritz
Terrie Fritz is the Director of Child Health at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. In her position, she develops initiatives to improve perinatal and child health care within the state Medicaid program. She is the past Director of Behavioral Health for the OHCA. She is also an adjunct professor at the University Of Oklahoma School Of Social Work where she teaches Social Work Policy and Practice courses. Since graduating with her MSW in 1978, she has worked in the fields of Child Welfare, Mental Health, and Maternal and Child Health, in both direct and program/policy development positions. Terrie has held many elected and volunteer positions with the National Association of Social Workers at the state and national levels. She has recently completed a term on the national board of directors for that organization.
From the May 23, 2011 Webinar
Coordinating Care for Young Children and Beyond: Early Lessons and Implications from Leading StatesConnecting the Docs: Oklahoma’s ABCD III Project
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
