Tributes

Paula Carroll Author I Cancer survivor I Patients' rights advocate One of the happiest, most genuine people you may ever meet, Paula Carroll, a woman of deep faith, views each day as a gift. She has endured extreme adversity and life-threatening peril, punctuated by occasional thrilling moments. Yet with all that has transpired, she's kept her sense of humor. She laughed, smiled, and chose to look on the bright side. As a child, her days were unlike the other children in her wealthy circle of friends. Devoid of luxury, her family's modest lifestyle and turbulent atmosphere caused Paula to grow up very quickly. When Paula turned 4 and her family lost their tiny home, they moved into her Papa's larger, stately house for almost 7 years. Papa's loving guidance provided exactly the big, bright spot Paula needed in her life. Suddenly there was hope. Even amidst the darkness of her parents' troubled relationship, living at Papa's brought his steadying influence, bounteous love, and kind wisdom. All too soon, the special opportunity to live at Papa's came to an end. When she was almost 11, Paula's sense of security and very life foundation was ripped away and replaced by a series of difficult years as the family moved, Papa aged, sold his home, and later suffered a stroke. Things were never the same after that. In the ensuing years, Paula braved life-threatening health crises, treacherous medical hazards, legal discoveries, a tempestuous marriage, romantic drama and more. Fortunately, Paula emerged victorious from her serendipitous life - elements of which have been documented in her first four books: o Life Wish chronicles Paula's traumatic physical journey fighting medical corruption o Moment to Moment, an inspiring spiritual journey, relates how and why one must always have hope o ALL for the Love of Papa shares lessons learned from the most significant person in Paula's life o Compassion ... don't just take it for granted - A pocket guide to help patients self-advocate for their medical care The influence of her precious Papa, coupled with Paula's own memories and adventures, have fueled much of the grit and determination she draws on to this day. Her experiences forged strength, courage, character, refinement, forgiveness and long-range perspective. She views past hardships and ordeals not as stumbling blocks but as stepping stones. Paula's books - and life - are a testament to her success in achieving her lifelong goal to turn her tribulations into "something beautiful." We will always love and remember you, Paula. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Career Highlights Professional and business roles include: • Founder, Consumers for Medical Quality, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to provide citizens with a comprehensive medical resources library as well as patient referrals to the nation’s leading medical centers. • Founder, Paula’s Angel Fund. Through this fund, many needed items have been (and will be) purchased for terminally ill patients. Many beautiful stories abound about the impact these gifts have had on fund recipients’ lives. • Co-founder, President, Vice President, Central Valley Alarm Company • Counselor/Secretary, SCORE, expert business mentors, premier resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Modesto, CA Memberships, leadership, volunteer and/or philanthropic support roles include: • Volunteer, Emmanuel Medical Center Hospice, Turlock, CA • Volunteer, Community Hospice, Modesto, CA • Ombudsman, California State Program, Merced County, CA • Advocate for Health Care Reform, AARP, Washington, D.C. • President, Supervisory Board, Central California Credit Union, Modesto, CA • President, Merced County Ombudsman program • Lay Counselor, Stephens Ministry, Modesto, CA • Volunteer/Member, Salvation Army Auxiliary, Modesto, CA • Volunteer/Member, PEO International, Nevada, MO • Advisory Board Member; served with Alpha Institute Director, Brent Ryder, in producing the book, “The Alpha Book on Cancer and Living” • Member, Society of Law and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA • Member, Hastings Center Institute of Society for Medical Ethics, Garrison, NY • Member, International Platform Association, Washington, D.C. • Member, Josephson Institute for Advancement of Ethics, Health Care America, Playa del Rey, CA • Member, Menninger Foundation, Topeka, KS • Member, Beta Sigma Phi, Kansas, MO • Member, National Association of Female Executives • Member, Commonwealth Club of California Honors include: • Merced County Celebrating Women Award • Woman of Distinction, Soroptimist International • California Trial Lawyers Association President’s Award. • Featured in Two Thousand Notable Women as well as World’s Who’s Who of Women (Cambridge, England), Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in California, Who’s Who in the West, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who in the World. Public appearances, speaking engagements, lectures and featured articles include: • Women Making a Difference Conference (Alameda, CA), numerous television and radio appearances/tours (United States, Canada, Puerto Rico), an ABC Television documentary, many print articles (United States, United Kingdom, Canada) and St. Agnes Hospital (Fresno, CA) Legislative activities: • Drafted five legislative proposals that have yielded greater consumer access to medical records and care, and improved the way medicine is practiced in California. All five proposals were endorsed and given top priority status by the California Senior Legislature and many trade unions. • Testified in Senate, Assembly and Health Committee hearings regarding medical protections and reforms.

Tributes

Paula Marie Carroll

July 17, 1933 - February 12, 2024