Paula Tanabe, PhD, RN, MPH, FAEN, FAAN, is a Professor in the Schools of Nursing and Medicine and health services and clinical researcher. Dr. Tanabe’s program of research focuses on improving systems of healthcare and patient outcomes for persons with sickle cell disease. Dr. Tanabe has a strong focus on improving emergency department care for this population and has conducted many investigations in this area. Dr. Tanabe currently has AHRQ funding to disseminate decision support tools to primary care and emergency department providers throughout North Carolina and portions of South Carolina. These tools were based upon the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Dr. Tanabe is also the co-PI for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute “Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium, U01”. Dr. Tanabe has conducted investigations aimed at improving pain management in the emergency department, with a strong focus on patients with sickle cell disease. Dr. Tanabe developed the Emergency Department Sickle Cell Assessment of Needs and Strengths (ED-SCANS), a decision support tool aimed at improving the quality of care provided to adults with sickle cell disease in the ED setting. Online profile

Writer, blogger & advocate for people living with sickle cell disease Social media

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) serves as the nation's headquarters for support and advocacy of Sickle Cell Disease and search for a cure. Social media

SCDAA provides leadership on a national level to create awareness of the negative impact of sickle cell disease on the health, economic, social and educational well-being of the individual and his or her family and to create awareness of the requirements for resolution; and prepare and distribute substantive educational materials, written and visual, about the sickle cell disease problem for all relevant segments of our society. SCDAA organizes and/or participates in national and regional educational conferences. It develops positions and promote favorable resolution of issues and activities that could have an adverse effect on sickle cell programs or the affected population. It also provides ongoing technical assistance to members and other interested groups or organizations. It encourages adequate support for research activities leading to improved treatment and eventual cure. Social media

The Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SCCC) was founded in Februrary of 2014 to provide a platform to unify, strengthen and increase the visibility of sickle cell community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the country. This Consortium is founded on the belief that a "house divided against itself cannot stand" and a commitment to create an outstanding model of community and patient engagement. We have developed a unified entity, modeled after the U.N. where the individual needs of each CBO can be identified and addressed as a unit, while maintaining the autonomy of each individual organization. SCCC is not a CBO, nor does it seek to replace the actions or activities of existing CBOs. Sickle cell disease CBOs exist to address the needs of the sickle cell community. The Consortium exists to address the needs of the CBOs. Our mission is to assist the CBOs in identifying the needs of their patient population, to aggressively seek funding to address those needs, provide infrastructure support and a platform for collaboration and cooperation between individual CBOs, governmental agencies and pharmaceutical and corporate stakeholders. Social media

Sickle Cell 101 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in sickle cell education on social media and other platforms. Our slogan is, "education + awareness" because we strongly believe these two factors are vital contributors to the progression of the disorder, with the end goal of a universal cure. Through education we are able to equip those affected by sickle cell, around the world, with a comprehensive understanding of the disorder. Equally, by raising awareness, our goal is for sickle cell to become a household name to encourage genetic testing, generate funding, and further research efforts. Social media

The American Sickle Cell Anemia Association or ASCAA, is an organization that provides quality and comprehensive services through diagnostic testing, evaluation, counseling, education and support to individuals and families at risk of Sickle Cell Anemia. The ASCAA is a non-profit 501(c)3 located in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1971, the ASCAA is the oldest sickle cell research, education and social services organization in the United States. Social media

Since 1971, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.’s mission has been to monitor Sickle Cell occurrences, to advocate and advance knowledge, to support research that improves treatment or seeks a cure, and to improve the quality of life for those battling sickle cell disease. Social media

The Sickle Cell Foundation of the Big Bend is a non profit 501(c) 3 that strives to provide comprehensive health education, counseling, testing services while striving to improve the quality of life for our clients and their families. It is with the assistance of our collaborative partners, we have thus far been able to positively impact those persons living with sickle cell disease, while increasing knowledge to those who may not be informed about the disease. Social media